Conference Session

Undergraduate Space Design and Project Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Kuhlman, West Virginia University; Donald Gray, West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

at Purdue University is offered as one section of therequired senior year capstone design course in the Aerospace Engineering curriculum4. Thatcourse is structured such that several local teams are formed, and at least two projectproposals are formally submitted to the RGSFOP program, with the best from among thelocal project plans being selected for submission to RGSFOP. This obviously would be abetter format, but is only feasible with a greater commitment of resources from the offeringdepartment (e.g., what appears to be secure funding for two or more teams per year, and fullcourse load credit for the course instructor). However, at WVU the Aerospace Engineeringsenior capstone design course has always been, and appears likely to remain for

Conference Session

Undergraduate Space Design and Project Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Kuhlman, West Virginia University; G. Michael Palmer, West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

organization and course procedures aredescribed, along with a summary of the types of student payloads that have been developedand flown by the student teams to date. Introduction The WVU Balloon Satellites course instructors are both professors in the combinedMechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Department at West Virginia University. TheWVU MAE Department has a long history of providing high-quality “hands-on” seniordesign projects as options for the required capstone senior design course in the MechanicalEngineering (ME) curriculum (e.g., formerly, the SAE Formula Race Car and Future Truckprojects, and currently the SAE Mini-Baja Car, and Challenge-X, among others). However,there has been much

Conference Session

Undergraduate Space Design and Project Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sven Bilen, Pennsylvania State University; Brian Schratz, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

flight project. This typically occurs for one oftwo reasons: a technology addresses a specific student interest that may benefit future SSPLefforts, or the technology is identified as mission-enabling or mission-enhancing for futureefforts.First, as a student lab, it is important to allow students to explore their own interests. Often theseinterests can be recast in a way that also adds to the capability of SSPL. Similarly, this programallows for the integration of outside student groups, such as senior capstone projects or studentspursing independent studies and theses.Second, previous projects have occasionally struggled with pressures from students trying toprepare mission-critical components on the project timeline. With a dynamic student

Conference Session

Preparing a Modern Aerospace Workforce

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James Helbling, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Lance Traub, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

for use of the Rapid Prototyping Lab by students to allow fair andequitable access to the printers. The build times for parts can be rather lengthy, especially forthose for which aerodynamic shaping is critical. Therefore, all parts to be fabricated must beapproved by a faculty member who is placed in charge of the lab and who ensures that the partshave some stated academic purpose. The CAD files are then brought to one of two labtechnicians, who evaluate the parts in terms of fidelity, projected build time, and cost. Build jobs(which typically consist of several parts which make up an assembly) are limited to a 48 hourbuild time and $500 cost. The senior capstone design courses are given priority, with all othercourses queued on a first come

Conference Session

Preparing a Modern Aerospace Workforce

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Narayanan Komerath, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

aerospace students. Several examples of current “grand projects”are considered, and progress towards them is summarized. Several ideas and proven strategiesfor nurturing such talents in formal curricula are considered.IntroductionWhen asked how to define and differentiate aerospace engineering, the best answer used to be:“Aerospace engineers turn the dreams of Humanity to reality through science and engineeringinnovation”. This is hard to remember in an age when air travel has become less pleasant than avisit to the dentist, working for airlines and aerospace companies seems to be a perpetualscramble to stay aloft in a downdraft, and we are under constant pressure to bring “cost reality”to squelch the enthusiasm of students and “focus on realistic

Conference Session

Best Practices in Aerospace Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kristi Shryock, Texas A&M University; Helen Reed, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

as an exam question, project, or report, and correlate toa particular outcome. Courses that are more relevant to a particular outcome, such as shown inTable 2, are better choices for utilizing embedded indicators. It is important for the score of theactivity to directly correlate to a specific outcome. This may take a little time on the part of thefaculty member to directly associate test questions or weekly activities to a particular outcome.In addition, the management and statistical summary of results can be overwhelming for facultyand/or staff members but can be automated with a spreadsheet program to provide ease inobtaining results over time once developed.7,8 While embedded indicators can be found in anycourse, a senior capstone

Conference Session

Best Practices in Aerospace Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Swami Karunamoorthy, Saint Louis University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

for assessment. Since the Page 13.1076.7students undergo the preparation and take a mock test, they are likely to register and passthe real FE examination.Oral-exam is a viable method especially in a laboratory course and/or design projectpresentations. In capstone design presentation, a practicing engineer from industry mayserve as an external examiner. Students may be asked to develop course portfoliosconsisting of course outline, homework, quiz, test, project etc. Simulations andperformance appraisals are viable methods for assessment of teams in laboratory coursesas well as design courses. Behavioral observations may be viable for the assessment

Conference Session

Best Practices in Aerospace Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thomas Hannigan, Mississippi State University; Keith Koenig, Mississippi State University; Lorenzo Coley, Mississippi State University; Christopher Hamm, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

. The mission is accomplished by a strong foundation in mathematicsand physical and engineering sciences upon which student problem solving and application skills aredeveloped. The curriculum stresses analytical and communication skills, with particular emphasisplaced on engineering design throughout the curriculum. A capstone design experience in the senioryear provides the opportunity to integrate design, analytical, and problem solving skills along withcommunication skills in a team environment that emulates aerospace engineering practice.The mission is accomplished by the following educational objectives, which describe what ourgraduates are expected to be able to accomplish during the first several years following graduation.Our graduates