Conference Session

Aerospace Workspace: Current and Future 2

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lisa Guerra, NASA; John A. Christian, University of Texas, Austin; Wallace Fowler, University of Texas, Austin

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

course is structured in modules, such that a particular topic module can be pulled forinclusion in another class, thus allowing an easier opportunity for export. Furthermore, themodular structure allows for reordering of the 24 topics per the instructor’s preference. Giventhis approach, modules can also be added or deleted based on topic interest. In fact, there are anumber of topics worthy of inclusion in future versions of this course, including softwaresystems engineering, human factors, design for supportability and maintainability, and six-sigmaquality methodology. In addition to lecture modules, class time is also devoted to invited guestspeakers, watching relevant videos and introducing ethics and professional leadership concepts.The SE

Conference Session

History of Aerospace Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Scott Eberhardt, Boeing Company; Narayanan Komerath, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

, thermodynamics, solid mechanics, fluids, and propulsion in a single course.The concept was to combine the material to emphasize the systems nature of aerospaceengineering. With this integrated approach to presenting the material, it became a naturalfit for the ABET 2000 requirements on social impact, ethics and economics. In responseto industry concerns that engineering students were becoming applied physicists insteadof engineers, MIT revamped its undergraduate curriculum. The result of a two-yearoverhaul was the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) educational initiative.Emphasis is towards hands-on learning. Unified Engineering is still a key part of thecurriculum, but most core classes have added hands-on labs. Through the years, MIT

Conference Session

History of Aerospace Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Scott Eberhardt, Boeing Company; Lee Jonathan, Boeing Company; Adam Bruckner, University of Washington

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

working for grades and notknowledge. “Everyone is secretly trying to get a grade from the course, even though he disputesthe fact.” Kirsten believed that the grading system was an unfortunate part of “mass production”in education.24 In 1943 Kirsten was interviewed for an article in which he said “Specialized educationhas put American youth into a groove, beyond which they are unable to see. We have been soanxious to teach our students everything from A to Z in their chosen field, the average pupil isgraduated without any personal philosophy, with little appreciation of the delicate balances andsymphonies of nature’s forces, an ignorance of the fundamental ethics of the good life and acomplete disregard for that which is not in his text