College London in 2010. Alex’s research focuses on the transfer of learning between various courses and contexts and the professional formation of engineers. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024The Mini-Mill Experience: A Self-Paced Introductory Machining Exercise for Mechanical Engineering Students Jenni M. Buckley PhD1,2, Amy Trauth PhD1,3, Alex De Rosa PhD1 1 University of Delaware, College of Engineering 2 University of Delaware, College of Education and Human Development 3 American Institutes for
graphical way to representand organize relationships between course topics and ideas and draw connections betweenconcepts [1-2]. Mapping is achieved by drawing connecting lines between concepts in a visualrepresentation. It was introduced as an educational tool more than thirty years ago. Concept mapshave been successfully used in a variety of STEM courses [3]. As engineering educators havestrived to incorporate more active learning pedagogies in the classroom, concept maps haveemerged as a valuable learning tool [4]. They fall under the umbrella of constructivist pedagogywhereby students create their own meaning of course concepts [5]. In Mechanical Engineeringcurricula, effective use of concept maps has been demonstrated in Mechanics
massmoment of inertia times angular acceleration JO α terms. An example of a generic KD-FBD pairis shown in Figure 1. A less discussed, but equally important set of diagrams that are alsointroduced in Dynamics involve the impulse-momentum principle. These diagrams are typically Figure 1 KD-FBD pair of a generic object moving and rotating in spaceintroduced to show the change in momentum and the impulses involved during impact. Anexample of a generic “Final-Initial-During” impulse-momentum trio is shown in Figure 2.Figure 2 Final-Initial-During trio of diagrams of a generic object moving and rotating in spaceOne reason for the emphasis that instructors place on selecting correct systems and drawingproper diagrams in Statics and Dynamics
socialunrest, as well as fires, hurricanes, floods, and other emergencies [1] may also cause disruptions.Such disruptions, on the student side, may lead to, among other things, feelings of isolation,anxiety, and stress [2]; reduced motivation, self-efficacy, and achievement [3]; and retentionissues [4]. The use of a learning management system (LMS) has been shown to mitigatechallenges associated with disruptions, prompting researchers to better understand the degree towhich LMS features are used and how they can be used more effectively. This study wasconducted to discover how instructors utilized a LMS before, during, and after a disruption.Findings from this study can be used by policy makers and educators to plan how best to useLMS features given
identifying themistakes, and potentially correcting the mistakes to develop a correct solution. Conventionalproblem solving involves the presentation of a problem statement, known values and possibly adiagram and requires students to develop the full solution. This problem-solving modality iswhat is found in a typical end-of chapter problem set.There have been numerous studies examining these different problem modalities from aninstructional and learning viewpoint. Research on worked example problems have shown thatthey are particularly useful when first learning a topic as it reduces the cognitive load required onthe student [1] and can be more useful than conventional problem solving in terms of learningachieved per unit time invested by the
thefuture.IntroductionEngineering design, defined by ABET [1], “is a process of devising a system, component, orprocess to meet desired needs and specifications within constraints. It is an iterative, creative,decision-making process in which the basic sciences, mathematics, and engineering sciences areapplied to convert resources into solutions. Engineering design involves identifyingopportunities, developing requirements, performing analysis and synthesis, generating multiplesolutions, evaluating solutions against requirements, considering risks, and making trade-offs toobtain a high-quality solution under the given circumstances. For illustrative purposes only,examples of possible constraints include accessibility, aesthetics, codes, constructability, cost,ergonomics
part of human history anddevelopment, including applications in science, life-style and culture, warfare, and construction[1]. Even though ancient Sumerian and Egyptian cultures are known to be the drivers of thehumanity’s development, recent discovery of Gӧbekli Tepe, an almost 12,000-year-old Neolithicmegalith site in Southeastern Turkey, has proven that human civilization is much older than oncethought [2]. Early Egyptian engineers lacked the wheel and the pulley, but had the inclinedplane, the lever, and the log roller in their tool set and were able to build a pyramid like Cheops,with a height of 146 m and a slope of 51֠ (almost a 48-story high building) employing 2.6 millionstone blocks weighing 2 to 60 tons [1].Besides building great
, Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies, and Systems Engineering Divisions. He is also one of the organizers for MEEd held annually by ASME. He volunteers as a Program Evaluator for ABET. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Augmenting Machine Design textbooks by Integrating vendor-supplied resources.AbstractA course in Design of Machine Elements (aka Machine Design in some programs) is a requiredpart of most Mechanical Engineering curricula in the world. Textbooks for this course areusually divided into two halves: 1) development of failure theories, and 2) design, analysis, andselection of individual machine components such as bearings, flexible power elements
will provide a comprehensive understanding of both time-tested fundamentals, such as internal combustion engines and vehicle dynamics, alongside thelatest advancements in electric powertrains, autonomous driving systems, and AI applications inthe automotive domain [1-3].Second, to develop a deep understanding of the pivotal role of AI in modern automotiveengineering: AI is rapidly transforming every aspect of the automotive industry, from design andmanufacturing to performance optimization and autonomous driving. This course will emphasizethe practical applications of AI in various automotive sub-systems and equip students with theability to leverage its power for innovative solutions [4-6].Lastly, to foster a project-based learning
structure a better capstonedesign program for senior students and will impact the engineering education field.Literature Review and Background ResearchArthritis and similar conditions affect millions of people all over the world. In fact, 20% of theentire world population deals with arthritis in some capacity [1]. Many of these people, despitetheir disabilities, are still required to work physically demanding jobs. The hardship such peopleface cannot be imagined.Exoskeletons are a form of wearable robotics that enhance human physical abilities. They aredesigned to augment strength, provide stability and support, and aid in tasks that would bechallenging without them. These arms provide numerous benefits across industries such asmanufacturing
and diversity,equity, and inclusion (DEI). The authors described how these subcategories would need to becategorized properly in future revisions, but the idea is they heavily dictated a student’sconfidence and sense of belonging.Summarizing this listing, we concluded with a motivational category list of interventionsubcategories as follows: task-value interventions (e.g., utility-value, communal value), framinginterventions (e.g., self-efficacy, belonging), personal value interventions (e.g., valueaffirmations), mitigating stereotype threat, and changing attributions, as shown in Table 1.Donker et al (2014) conducted a meta-analysis on teaching strategies that help studentmetacognition and self-regulation to find which specific tactics
was the past-Chair for the ASEE PNW Section. His academic research interests include innovative teaching and learning strategies, use of emerging technologies, and mobile teaching and learning strategies. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Design Thinking Abilities in Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering StudentsINTRODUCTION The typical engineering classroom utilizes lecture based lessons to transfer technicalknowledge to students [1, 2]. A linear classroom approach such as this leads students down thesame repeated path each time they approach a problem. Inside of the classroom this makes for aneasy teaching plan and a step by step problem solving guide for students to follow [3
where she pursued MS studies on Reliability Design of Box Girders of Cranes Based on Probability Theory. Dr. Zhai has teaching and research interests in solid mechanics and their applications to different engineering fields and in particular mechanical and civil/structural engineering. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Connection of the Teaching, Learning and Instructions of Material Science and Engineering Courses with Different Courses on Engineering Subjects JILIANG LI1 and JINYUAN ZHAI2 1 Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management, California Baptist University (CBU), Riverside, California
intosustainability initiatives. It provides an opportunity for reflection on the journey of a newlydeveloped program. We aim to inspire others to work together and encourage students tomotivate others to join similar collaborations and empower students to lead sustainableinnovations in their communities and beyond.IntroductionIn the face of escalating environmental concerns and the urgent need for sustainable solutions,the role of higher education institutions in fostering innovation and preparing future engineers ismore critical than ever. The integration of sustainability into higher education, particularlythrough collaborations with sustainability centers, has been a topic of interest in recent literature[1-4]. Studies highlight the transformative
and can be completedutilizing any of many tools and approaches. There are reports in the literature from similarrecent efforts, each of which utilized specific methods and tools that were appropriate for theirgoals and objectives [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].In this Work in Progress report, we describe the approach currently being utilized at Ohio State,and report on the progress to date and future plans. The approach used in this report began withan initial faculty workshop that was used to generate discussion and solicit input to betterunderstand the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the current curriculum, as well asassessing the perceived needs of the faculty regarding curriculum redesign.Following that initial workshop, a committee of
in soft skills such as interdisciplinary understanding,communication, and collaboration skills throughout participating in the interdisciplinary NRTprogram.1. IntroductionIn the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and innovation, the conventional boundaries thatonce confined individual fields of study are becoming increasingly blurred. Moreover, acceleratedby the COVID-19 pandemic, the world of work is undergoing momentous change. Nearly half ofall occupations (including those in production, transportation, extraction, agriculture, andmaintenance/repair) are at risk of being automated within the next two decades [1]. At the sametime, labor shortages within the U.S. have plagued post-pandemic recovery efforts and areparticularly dire for
simulation formatover the paper format for learning about AFM image artifacts, with students valuing the simula-tion’s interactive nature.Keywords: atomic force microscopy, image artifacts, educational simulation1 IntroductionNanoengineering brings together principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and engineer-ing to design and manipulate structures and devices with dimensions on the nanometer scale.As nanotechnology progresses, there is an increasing necessity to educate a workforce capableof effectively utilizing these advancing technologies, with the introduction to nanoengineer-ing ideally starting as early as middle school [1–3]. Nevertheless, there are numerous educa-tional challenges, notably the stark contrast between our intuitive
confidence and competence in handling the complexity andchallenges of an open-ended problem with a long time frame.In October 2012, the instructor attended the first ever National Effective Teaching Institute 2(NETI-2) workshop which was held in Seattle, WA. While NETI-1 provides “instruction andhands-on practice in the elements of effective teaching,” NETI-2 is for “STEM instructors whoare already familiar with the topics of NETI-1 and are looking for more advanced active learningstrategies to engage students at a higher level” [1]. During the Workshop, Dr. Michael Princefrom Bucknell University, a co-leader of the workshop, shared his experience of using aproblem-based learning approach in his heat transfer course for several years and offered to
main research questions in thispaper include: 1) How open are students to the design review process? 2) Which helped studentsto maintain steady progress on their project: scaffolded milestones, design review assignments,or both? 3) Did students benefit from design review and how? Did it impact their project orskill set? 4) Did design review affect their engineering design identity? Do they see themselvesas designers? To determine effectiveness of the framework, an anonymous Qualtrics survey hasbeen developed and administered to students to determine the impact on their learningexperiences, skills, and engineering identity. The survey results indicate that students arereceptive to constructive feedback and open to a (peer) design review process
indicate virtual labs supplement traditional methods,providing a safe, cost-effective platform for practical learning. This research contributes toinnovative engineering education approaches, emphasizing the importance of virtual labs inimparting critical skills. I. IntroductionThe goal of this study is to investigate the potential advantages of integrating virtual labs intomechanical vibration courses, with a specific focus on rotor balancing. Traditional approaches toteaching mechanical vibrations often face limitations in providing hands-on experiences due topractical constraints and safety concerns. Therefore, this research aims to assess the efficacy of avirtual lab, the Virtual Rotor Kit (VRK) [1], in enhancing students' understanding and
implemented in theCAM Scholarship project. This framework was developed based on identified evidence-basedhigh impact practices and previous results from lessons learned from a prior NSF-S-STEMproject.IntroductionThe CAM Scholarship program targets low-income, academically talented students in the CivilEngineering (CIVE) and Mechanical Engineering (ME) baccalaureate degree programs in theUVU CET. Both bachelor’s degree programs were initiated in Fall 2018 with funding fromUtah’s state legislature and the state’s Engineering and Computer Science Initiative. With aninitial enrollment of 220 students (at various academic levels), these two accredited programsnow enroll 550 students (see Table 1). Enrollment in these degree programs is likely to
developing the next generation ofmechanical and manufacturing engineers. 1. IntroductionAdditive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, is a process of fabricating athree-dimensional object in a layer-by-layer fashion using computer-aided design parts asopposed to the subtractive manufacturing process such as milling operation [1]. Thedevelopment, preparation, and processing of the files are completely done digitally. For instance,the three-dimensional modeling using computer-aided design (CAD) software, slicing the object,generating the tool path, and processing parameter selections, are all performed digitally. Thedigital processing of AM reduces many processing chains thus, yielding faster adoption in manyengineering and educational
students can take the exam at their best time andlengthier exams may be given for the courses requiring it.IntroductionStarting from early 2000s, the introduction of online courses and the availability of onlineresources even for those students taking in-person classes has met with new challenges toimplement in the course material including exams. These challenges have been addressed byseveral authors with different approaches and success. One of the key points is to understand thatthe students entering college campuses in this age have access to information in many forms thatmay blur the line between honest and dishonest behavior [1]. This may be simply due to the factthat students consider it cheating when someone looks at their neighboring
in an undergraduatenumerical methods course. Findings of this research will help engineering educators designactivities that engage students in class, promote their self-efficacy beliefs about numericalmethods, and learning motivation, and improve their performance in the course.1. IntroductionNumerical methods are essential in mechanical engineering for solving complex problems inareas such as fluid dynamics, heat transfer, stress analysis, and optimization [1]. They helpapproximate solutions to difficult mathematical problems, enhance solution accuracy, supportdecision-making, and advance knowledge and innovation in the field. Additionally, knowledgeof numerical analysis techniques is crucial for designing, analyzing, and optimizing
lectures, lab experiments,and/or design projects. Practical course projects can motivate students’ interests in vibrations andhelp reinforce the lessons learned in class. However, due to the complexity of vibrating systems,numerous steps are taken to simplify these projects, making them achievable in a typical 16-weeksemester. There are instances where instructors have created vibrations projects utilizingsimulation software such as Simulink, MATLAB, Python, Ansys, etc. [1-3]. While simulationshelp students analyze vibrations systems, faculty in the Mechanical & Industrial Engineering(MEIE) Department at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville wanted to promote further in-depthstudent learning by incorporating projects that built off the
viaanonymous end-of-semester reviews. Furthermore, the engineering forensic investigation activitysupports ABET Student Outcomes 1 (an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complexengineering problems), 3 (an ability to communicate effectively), 4 (an ability to recognizeethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations), 5 (an ability to functioneffectively on a team), 6 (an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyzeand interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions) and 7 (ability to acquirenew knowledge). These outcomes are assessed via a pre- and post-activity assessment.1. IntroductionMechanical engineering classes typically cover a wide range of topics, and it is important
synthesize knowledge acquired inearlier courses (statics, dynamics, and mechanics of materials) and apply it to design functional machinesand devices [1]. The ability to design machines is a fundamental skill applicable across variousengineering domains, making it a crucial aspect of the curriculum.Machine design is an iterative decision-making process, demanding students to select and assemblemachine elements to create devices that fulfill specific tasks [2]. It encompasses not only applied science pg. 1and engineering but also an art where aesthetic sense plays a significant role [3]. Designing a suitablemechanism requires considerable
addressingcommon concerns associated with design courses such as time demands. The intendedlearning outcomes (ILOs) of the second-year design module are that, on successfulcompletion, students will be able to: 1. Discuss and apply an appropriate design process to a specified design challenge 2. Suggest appropriate production processes for a range of metal, polymer and composites 3. Apply a range of product styling principles 4. Explore a fuzzy brief and determine areas for definition 5. Develop a detailed product design specification 6. Manufacture a range of mechanical components using machine tools to appropriate precision 7. Produce solid models and associated production ready technical drawings to enable production of a
survey methodology, with a questionnaire deployedthat includes short answer questions. The responses are inductively coded and reported in thiswork. Moreover, lessons learned from designing and assigning original dynamic systems physicalexperiments to mechanical engineering undergraduate students are highlighted.1 IntroductionMECH-431, Dynamic Systems with Controls Laboratory, is a required course in the MechanicalEngineering (ME) undergraduate curriculum at Kettering University (KU). It is the companionlaboratory course to MECH-430, Dynamic Systems with Controls, which is a lecture course.Both courses feature topics in classical control theory. Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID)controllers are emphasized, as they are commonly used in
sequence in which teams of four student engineers are tasked withdesigning a solution to a client’s problem. In recent years, this course has grown to nearly 280students, starts both in the fall and the spring, and supports a variety of projects, includingindustry collaborations, design competitions, research, and community service. The course ismanaged by a coordinator and supported by several teaching assistants (TAs) along with a hostof faculty who consult with teams weekly, advising them on technical issues and basic projectmanagement. As part of the course, we ask students to iteratively prototype, and to prototype often, asit is one of the best ways to evaluate a design [1], [2] and develop a more satisfying solution for aclient