AC 2011-2856: A MODEL FOR ENHANCING PROJECT LEAD THE WAYTEACHER KNOWLEDGE IN SOFTWARE APPLICATIONSLaura E. LeMire, The Community College of Baltimore County Laura LeMire, an alumna of the University of Maryland at College Park with a B.S. and Masters in Geotechnical Engineering, started her career at Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE). During her career there, she was responsible for substation and transmission construction projects, relocation and installa- tion of BGE facilities for Oriole Park at Camden Yards and for a new Light Rail system, and for im- proving service reliability. After obtaining her MBA, Laura became the Director of Corporate Purchasing and was also a financial analyst handling investor relations
2011 ASEE Annual Conferenceinitial cost or in the long term operating costs. While one system may be more expensivein the beginning, by using more natural ventilation and lighting it may save costs for theowner over time.These variables can be used to find the balance between energy consumption andperformance. In other cases, the owner is concerned about other issues such as pollutionand the protection of the environment. 4. Assessing students learningIn the capstone presented here, the learning approach was composed of project basedlearning combined with continuous discussions between the students, team leaders andthe instructor (the instructor is the main author of this paper and the two other authors arethe team leaders). Two approaches
output loads),electric motors and motor starters (switches heavy loads), and solenoid directional controlvalves (widely used, controls fluids).The junior level applied process control engineering course utilizes Allen-Bradleyprogrammable logic controllers and the accompanying RSLogix ® software. A dozenclusters are equipped for the controller programming and wiring. Each cluster iscomposed of a desktop computer linked to a Micrologix 1000 ® PLC module was alsodesigned and fabricated as a project of this class. An organized kit includes typicalindustrial inputs such as push button switches, limit switches, and both inductive andcapacitive proximity devices. The kit also includes typical industrial outputs includinglights, buzzers, motors, and
in developing theepistemic frame of many professions, especially those that require innovation, is some form ofprofessional practicum7,8, which is an environment in which a learner takes professional actionin a supervised setting and then reflects on the results with peers and mentors. Skills andknowledge become more and more closely tied as the student/learner learns to see the worldusing the epistemic frame of the profession. Cornerstone and capstone design courses inundergraduate curricula are examples of professional practica in engineering.Prior work has also shown that epistemic games—learning environments where students game-play to develop the epistemic frame of a profession—increase students’ understanding of andinterest in the
, California Polytechnic State University Lynne A. Slivovsky, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D., Purdue Uni- versity, 2001), has led service-learning initiatives both within the College of Engineering and across the university at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. In 2003 she received the Frontiers In Education New Faculty Fellow Award. Her work in service-learning led to her selection in 2007 as a California Campus Compact-Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Faculty Fellow for Service-Learning for Political Engagement. She currently oversees two multidisciplinary service-learning programs: the Access by Design project that has capstone students
engineering students because it requires an understanding of plant biology andchemistry laboratory techniques. In 2006, the mechanical engineering department at SeattleUniversity was approached by a local startup company and asked to design a photobioreactor togrow oleaginous algae. This project was established as a year-long capstone design project. Itwas manned by four mechanical engineering students and supervised by industry liaisons fromthe company, and faculty advisors from both mechanical engineering and biology. Although theadvisors were initially concerned about the interdisciplinary component of the project, thestudents were enthusiastic and successfully completed the project. The successes of that projectlead to three more algae related
. Page 22.1341.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 Student teams, a simulation or a real team experience?AbstractThe tradition in engineering education places students in teams during their senior year; likely aspart of a capstone laboratory or design course. In most cases teams were done on a “pick yourown partners” basis. Furthermore, no time was spent discussing teamwork, the importance ofteams, how teams should be structured or the skill set one needs to be an effective team member.To some extent, changes made by ABET to their accreditation criteria in 2000 have forced theengineering community to at least assess student teamwork. This, in turn, has motivated many totake a
Electromechanical Design I; MECH302 Mechanics of Materials; ELEC244 Digital Systems; ELEC443 Analog Circuit Design.Students are then required to take 2 semesters of senior capstone design course (8 credit hours),ELMC 831 and ELMC 881in their 5th year. Therefore, the design projects provide a focus andintegrator of other more traditional courses. This approach has been very successful judgingfrom winning numerous competitions both regional (ASME, IEEE) and national as well as thehigh demand in industry for graduates of this program. It has always been of interest to theElectromechanical Engineering Faculty Committee3 to continually find ways for improving theprogram. The present author, based on this objective and his experience (he joined this
prepare them forreal-world industry experience, or perhaps for engineering Capstone programs. Indeed, recentresearch makes this argument, that college engineering Capstone programs would be even moresuccessful if students were exposed to project-based learning earlier in their schooling.18Despite the ambiguity that often occurs in open-ended, project-based assignments, we learnedfrom students and our reflections that instructors should do the following to minimizeambiguities: • Provide a clear time-line of expected deliverables and due dates. • Provide grading criteria up front. • Make available numerous examples of each deliverable. • And provide regular, substantive feedback throughout the process
. Gwen has conducted over 30 workshops and presentations on cultural, racial, and generational diversity; assessment, evaluation, and accreditation; teaching and learning; and leadership. Gwen teaches organization administration and culture, internship experiences, multicultural university, project management capstone course, and strategic planning and institutional effectiveness at Old Do- minion University in the graduate program of the Darden College of Education. Prior to ODU, she was the Executive Assistant to the President from 2004 2005 and Director of Assessment from 1998 through 2004 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technologya small private STEM college in Indiana. She has also served as an editorial associate of
AC 2011-1894: HOW TO DESIGN A DESIGN PROJECT: GUIDANCE FORNEW INSTRUCTORS IN FIRST AND SECOND YEAR ENGINEERINGCOURSESAndrew Trivett, University of Prince Edward IslandProf. Stephen Champion, University of Prince Edward Island Current chair of the UPEI Engineering Department and facilitator of Project Based Design courses at the University of Prince Edward Island. Page 22.787.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 How To Design a Design Project: Guidance for New Instructors in First and Second Year Engineering CoursesIntroductionThis paper is not an attempt to
componentsprovides similar benefits to engaging in research. Page 22.1601.4Students that have not faced open-ended design problems will find that their education isinsufficient when they enter the workforce. There has been a great response to this needincluding accreditation requirements requiring students to work in a collaborative, team-oriented,capstone design project. Another avenue to expose students to this type of work isundergraduate research. But using an existing building as a laboratory lends itself more toanalysis than it does to research. In other words, the students will be seeking data to answerquestions posed to them by their instructor. The
AC 2011-1588: EMBEDDING LIFELONG LEARNING SKILLS INTO AFIRST-YEAR ENGINEERING COURSE THROUGH INTRODUCTION OFAN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECT AND INFORMATION LIT-ERACY SKILLSChris Plouff, Grand Valley State University Dr. Plouff currently serves as Assistant Professor & James R. Sebastian Chair of Engineering Cooperative Education and Educational Development at Grand Valley State University. He is responsible for coordi- nating assessment efforts for the School of Engineering, including the mandatory cooperative education program. His research interests include first-year engineering program development, effective assessment of engineering education, and transition to and from the engineering educational environment
, industrial and mechanical engineering. The analysis focuses on astudy of what students express as relevant learning points. We have found students to besurprisingly frank about what they learned and where they thought their experience in thecourse fell short. Over time we have observed common themes that emerge amongstudents concerning their ability to deal with project changes and team dynamics andhave charted the resulting ebb and flow of enthusiasm and motivation over the course ofa semester.BackgroundCapstone projects represent a major milestone in a student’s academic career andprofessional development where they are expected to integrate knowledge and skills fromprior coursework. Capstone also represents a major checkpoint for assessing
AC 2011-2872: AN INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDYPeter Schuster, California Polytechnic State University Peter Schuster is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His areas of interest include design, stress analysis, and biomechanics. Page 22.176.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 An Industry-University Partnership Case StudyAbstractAt many universities, senior undergraduate mechanical engineers work in teams on industry-sponsored capstone design projects. These projects provide an excellent
capstone design course, he/she should be ready to communicate in the real world. The process of drafting reports for comments has been a part of this activity and now in the senior course, this commenting will be done by both faculty and outside advisors who are involved with each of the capstone projects. The student experiences the need for good communication skills, not simply for a faculty grade but a review by individuals who may be offering employment. Table 1. Communication Elements in the Undergraduate CurriculumFresh.Year WRAC – Writing Rhetoric and Culture Remembered Events Paper, Proposed Solution Paper, Justified Evaluation Paper, Writing Profile Paper Tools: None
because these projects will broaden the students’ views of learning in general2. Modelingand simulation are helpful in learning STEM knowledge13; therefore, involving some modelingand simulation work in the project can make it more interesting to the students. The studentsneed to have some level of technical background to conduct research. Even though seniorstudents have the most knowledge and skills required for conducting research, they are usuallytoo busy with their course work and capstone design project. Based on these considerations, asophomore student and a junior student were selected for the projects. The goals of the projectsare four-folds: 1. Providing students with research opportunities to enhance their educational experience
. Page 22.96.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 A SCALE DYNAMIC MODEL FOR FIRE PROTECTION EDUCATION Ahmed Cherif Megri Associate Professor, amegri@uwyo.edu University of Wyoming Civil and Architectural Engineering Department Laramie, WY, USAAbstract:This project was performed in a capstone design course. The objective of this paper is todemonstrate the design and describe the construction process of a 3-D scale model fordowntown Chicago. The model will be used to simulate and test the effectiveness of firedefense strategies to address fire
‘- Engineering Ethics/Legal Areas Considerations (6%) Page 22.461.4 Project Thesis or Capstone Capstone Masters Project or Seminar (28%) Project (94%)GRCSE builds on the work summarized in Table 1, and earlier efforts for developing a referencecurriculum for systems engineering5,11-15 completed by current GRCSE authors as well as othermembers of the systems engineering academic community.Systems Engineering Knowledge Areas and TopicsThe SEBoK builds on earlier efforts for developing an integrated body of knowledge for
often, forbetter or for worse, education is the easiest thing to let go of.”15Comparison to Other Distance Learning ProgramsFour online construction management master's degree programs were endorsed by theAssociated General Contractors of America in 200616. The Department of Building ConstructionManagement is one of these programs. All four of the programs allow students to choosebetween a thesis and a non-thesis academic writing project. One of the four programs also has acoursework only option. Table 2 summarizes the writing requirements for the four programs. Table 2 - Comparison of Capstone Project Requirements for Online AGC Endorsed Construction Management Masters Programs16
capstone project within theComputer Engineering Technology (CET) department at NYC College of College. The conceptsof parallel, serial and USB ports and Bluetooth wireless communication are explored as part ofthe trend in computer communication technology. In particular, emphasis is placed on thediscussion of how to interface and communicate, using wired serial port and Bluetooth wirelesstechnology, between user designed software and a custom designed hardware system, which mayincorporate an embedded micro-controller.In the past, parallel and serial ports were the standard communication interface available on mostpersonal as well as industrial computers. The underlying hardware and the communicationprotocols were simple and easy enough to be
in dialogue with one another around thesecore issues can be a key step in achieving those goals.References1. Dym, C., et al., "Engineering Design Thinking, Teaching, and Learning." Journal of Engineering Education, 2005. 94(1): p. 103-120.2. Dutson, A.J., et al., "A Review of Literature on Teaching Engineering Design Through Project-Oriented Capstone Courses." Journal of Engineering Education, 1997. 86(1): p. 17-28.3. Pembridge, J.J. and M.C. Paretti. "The Current State of Capstone Design Pedagogy." in American Society Page 22.240.6 in Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exhibition. 2010
use of impromptudesign exercises across the engineering curriculum. The paper concludes by describing a pilotstudy on impromptu design exercises being conducted by the authors.1. Mind the gapThe call for more design experience in engineering curricula draws attention to a problem indesign education that engineering educators have noted for quite some time. Traditionalengineering programs lack curricular coherence when it comes to design. Students typicallyhave design experiences during introductory coursework (or “cornerstone” courses2) as freshmenand then again later as seniors during capstone projects or seminars. Thus, design experiencescomprise disjointed bookends in students‟ college careers. Their sophomore and junior years aredevoted
using empirically- based prediction techniques. Dr. Wood’s research also includes the development of robotic ground and air vehicle systems using innovative conceptual design techniques for current technology implementations, as well as futuristic projections, applied in the framework of a senior capstone design course. Page 22.292.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 Body-Storming, Super Heroes and Sci-Tech Publications: Techniques to Enhance the Ideation ProcessAbstractThe ideation (concept generation) step in the design process likely has
. Page 22.321.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 Characterization of Student Model Development in Physical and Virtual LaboratoriesAbstractThis study characterizes student teams’ use of models as they proceed through three laboratoryprojects in the first quarter of the capstone laboratory sequence in the School of Chemical,Biological, and Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University. Two of the laboratoriesare physical laboratories, based on the unit processes of heat exchange and ion exchange.Sandwiched between these two laboratories, students undertake a virtual laboratory project. Thevirtual laboratory is used to simulate complex or expensive tools that
reports on the results of efforts at integrating online learning to the junior-level and capstone fifth-year-level interdisciplinary electromechanical andelectromechanical/biomedical design courses at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Themotivation is to enhance student time management as well as develop an effective model ofhybrid interdisciplinary engineering design course with the most appropriate technology. Thejunior-level course is an intense course where students are expected to complete an originaldesign and a prototype in one semester. Project and time management are critical. The capstoneproject is made of a sequence of 2 semester courses and involves the same requirements as thejunior design course. Groups typically include 3 to 5
. • Professional – Included for all E majors and covers topics common to disciplines. Currently, ET programs do not have a professional component. • Capstone – An integrating experience of 3 to 6 semester credits and taken in the final year of study in which the student completes an unscripted design project. • Other – A technical communication course sequence focused on written and oral skills taken by all ET majors.Broader Educational ContextThe changes being mandated by NEASC are part of a much larger policy initiative that isnational in scope. Most, if not all regional accreditation boards are undertaking similar efforts intheir respective areas of authority. Over the last decade, concern over the quality of highereducation
substantial body of research into the PBL methods,many engineering faculty continue to come to the model reluctantly. In an effort to give moreweight to the benefits of PBL teaching within the Dalhousie University experience, DalhousieUniversity is eager to assess and evaluate the impact of PBL additions to the curriculum..Motivated by new accreditation rules that will take effect in 2012, the first group of studentsentering Dalhousie University engineering program will encounter a core PBL design course ineach semester of their first two years, as well as a capstone design project in their final year.Thus, we are moving from a “bookend” design experience—having PBL courses in the first andfinal years of the program—to a three-year PBL design
22.637.4General Studies Track: CurriculumModifications to the GS track after the fourth semester include the following:Making the previously required design classes after the fourth semester electives Design courses AET 352 Design IV and AET 367 Design V would be elective choices.Repositioning some of the technical specialties and professional electives In order to balance the number of credits per semester and provide required courses in an appropriate sequence, we had to rearrange our technical and professional electives.Making an elective thesis course a required capstone project course Previously our thesis course was not required and only our graduate bound students would take it. It would now be required by all and renamed AET 489
to the workon instructional development, the degree of assessment has been sparse.11-13Our intent is to provide students a capstone experience in which they can apply experimentaldesign in a context similar to that of a practicing engineer in industry. The objectives of thisresearch are to explore the types of cognition and social interactions of student teams as theyengage in these virtual laboratories, to determine the role of instructional design in the responseof student teams, and to ascertain whether virtual laboratories can effectively promote types oflearning that are difficult or impossible to achieve from physical laboratories.Objectives The specific objectives of the NSF CCLI Phase 2 project are to: 1. Create the following