Conference Session

Hands-on Laboratory and Design Experiences in Environmental Engineering

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sudarshan T. Kurwadkar, Tarleton State University; Daniel K. Marble, Tarleton State University; Jennifer T. Edwards, Tarleton State University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

Missouri.Dr. Daniel K. Marble, Tarleton State University Daniel Marble earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Houston, with an M.S. and Ph.D. in accelerator-based nuclear physics from the University of North Texas. Marble began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of physics at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point in 1994. In 1998, he was hired to develop the first engineering program at Tarleton State University (engineering physics), where he presently serves as Head of the Department of Engineering and Physics. In addition to interests in ion solid interaction, physics of sports, accelerator technology, and materials characterization, Marble is actively involved in K-16 science and

Conference Session

Interdisciplinary Experiences and Assessment in Environmental Engineering

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elizabeth Butler, University of Oklahoma

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

the value placed by students on sustainability andenvironmental issues.IntroductionThe “Bodies of Knowledge” (BOKs) of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers(AAEE) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) identify the skill sets needed topractice environmental and civil engineering at various points in an engineer’s career, includingafter completing the B.S. degree. Outcome 8 of the AAEE BOK calls for the ability to recognizelife cycle principles, to identify non sustainable components in engineered systems, to explainhow and why to integrate sustainability into engineering projects, and to quantify emissions andresource consumption associated with engineering processes (paraphrased from AAEE (2009)1).Outcome 10 in the ASCE

Conference Session

Hands-on Laboratory and Design Experiences in Environmental Engineering

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sudarshan T. Kurwadkar, Tarleton State University; Daniel K. Marble, Tarleton State University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

Missouri.Dr. Daniel K. Marble, Tarleton State University Daniel Marble earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Houston, with an M.S. and Ph.D. in accelerator-based nuclear physics from the University of North Texas. Marble began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of physics at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point in 1994. In 1998, he was hired to develop the first engineering program at Tarleton State University (engineering physics), where he presently serves as Head of the Department of Engineering and Physics. In addition to interests in ion solid interaction, physics of sports, accelerator technology, and materials characterization, Marble is actively involved in K-16 science and

Conference Session

Hands-on Laboratory and Design Experiences in Environmental Engineering

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sandeep Sathyamoorthy, Tufts University; Linda Jarvin, Paris College of Art; Michael Hollis, U.S. Air Force Academy; John Anthony Christ, U.S. Air Force Academy; C. Andrew Ramsburg, Tufts University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

questions in each of the three surveys fall into one of four categories: team assessmentquestions, self assessment questions, evaluation of PBL lab and the class, and assessment ofenvironmental engineering (Figure 2). The pre-lab survey comprised 13 questions and wasprimarily used to collect learner self assessments in the areas of experience, knowledge and skillswithin the context of environmental engineering, as well as career options currently underconsideration. The post-lab survey comprised 21 questions. In addition to the questions fromthe pre-lab survey, the post-lab survey collected student assessments of team performance duringthe PBL lab. The end-of-semester survey comprised 17 questions - 9 from the pre-lab survey, 2new questions for

Conference Session

Interdisciplinary Experiences and Assessment in Environmental Engineering

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angela R. Bielefeldt, University of Colorado, Boulder

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

the stated goal of the REU program to help attract and retain students in STEM,including careers in teaching and education research, these programs can help students achieve awide variety of learning outcomes. Some of these learning outcomes clearly map to the ABETcriterion C “A-K” outcomes; such as b “the ability to design and conduct experiments, andanalyze and interpret data”.10 Other outcomes may also be achieved to varying degreesdepending on the structure and activities associated with a particular REU site. For example, theClarkson REU likely improved students’ knowledge of sustainability9, which is a desiredoutcome in both the Environmental Engineering Body of Knowledge11 and the Civil EngineeringBody of Knowledge12.Kardash13 found

Conference Session

Integrating Sustainability Across the Curriculum

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarah Kathryn Bauer, Rowan University; Andrea Rose McFarland, Rowan University; Mary M. Staehle, Rowan University; Kauser Jahan, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

andpreparing them for either graduate school or industrial careers.“During the first years of engineering when students are building their engineering skills, it isimportant to provide context and background to some of the sustainability issues surroundingus,” says Mechanical Engineering professor Dr. Smitesh Bakrania11. “So, I make a consciousattempt at discussing these issues and some of the challenges that we are currently facing andthose that we will be facing in the near future. This is done through complex discussions, videos,and homework assignments. Using the Wind Turbine Clinic activity, we discuss a potentialsolution where engineers play a critical role in addressing sustainability.”11Rowan University’s College of Engineering exposes

Conference Session

Integrating Sustainability Across the Curriculum

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jennifer Mueller PE P.E., Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Corey M. Taylor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Patricia Brackin, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Richard A. House, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Kathleen Toohey, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Michael S. DeVasher, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Rebecca Booth DeVasher Ph.D., Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Mark H. Minster, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

fields, but also leaders in other areas of their disciplines and careers. One area to whichgraduates in STEM fields stand poised to contribute tremendously is sustainability. As issues ofclimate change, depletion of nonrenewable resources, and degradation of water quality prevail onlocal and global scales, higher education must respond to these challenges with a focus on STEMeducation that involves understanding and consideration of environmental, economic, and socialimpacts. For a host of reasons, however, STEM colleges and universities often produceoverspecialized graduates that remain unaware of their majors’ larger contexts, especially thosethat touch upon sustainability. Sustainability problems pose serious challenges for

Conference Session

Hands-on Laboratory and Design Experiences in Environmental Engineering

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Radian G. Belu, Drexel University; Irina Nicoleta Ciobanescu Husanu, Drexel University; Dunia Tania Periverzov, Drexel University (Tech.)

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

courses in electronics, power systems, control and power electron- ics, electric machines, instrumentation, radar and remote sensing, numerical methods and data analysis, space and atmosphere physics, and physics. His research interests included power system stability, control and protection, renewable energy system analysis, assessment and design, power electronics and electric machines for wind energy conversion, radar and remote sensing, wave and turbulence simulation, mea- surement and modeling, numerical modeling, electromagnetic compatibility, and engineering education. During his career, Belu published several papers in referred journals and in conference proceedings in his areas of the research interests. He

Conference Session

Interdisciplinary Experiences and Assessment in Environmental Engineering

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cheryl J.K. Desha, Queensland University of Technology; Charlie Hargroves, The Natural Edge Project

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

-cluttering curriculum in a masters course. As statedwithin the study guide, “Using this material to highlight what we refer to as ‘threshold learning concepts’, the unit aims to provide breakthrough learning experiences for all students, regardless of where you are in your post graduate studies, on your career path, or where you are with regard to considering sustainable development.”32The resultant course structure for the 2011 student cohort comprised a 2-day intensive on-campus session at the beginning of semester, followed by three 1-hour workshops and three2-hour seminars (on campus and recorded). During the workshops students were providedwith feedback on their assignments and project progress. During each 2-hour seminar

Conference Session

Integrating Sustainability Across the Curriculum

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Noel E. Bormann P.E., Gonzaga University; Mara London, Gonzaga University; Andrew Douglas Matsumoto, Gonzaga University; Melanie Ruth Walter; Spencer Joseph Fry

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

their own projects? (Student 1- Male, Senior Civil Engineering) I think this really varies from person to person. People who are working on projects that closely relate to their desired career path are very excited by their projects, but those who weren't matched with a project that was their top choice seem to be less interested. (Student 2- Male, Junior Engineering Management, Business Minor) My peers seem to be very interested in their own projects and seem to enjoy working on their projects as well. Albeit, I have not had a lot of interaction with many other groups, the ones I have seen seemed quite interested in their projects. (Student 3- Female, Senior Civil Engineering) It varies with the

Conference Session

Integrating Sustainability Across the Curriculum

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Melanie L. Sattler, University of Texas, Arlington; Victoria C. P. Chen, University of Texas, Arlington; Brian H. Dennis, University of Texas, Arlington; Stephen P. Mattingly, University of Texas, Arlington; K.J. Rogers, University of Texas, Arlington; Yvette Pearson Weatherton, University of Texas, Arlington; Madhu Rani, University of Texas, Arlington; Ketwalee Kositkanawuth

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

impacts on sustainability. The internships alsoincreased their ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Particularly encouragingare the responses that students will be more likely to consider sustainable design options in theirfuture careers, with 5 students strongly agreeing and one student agreeing.Company representatives also completed a survey, with the goal of collecting information toimprove future internship experiences. The fact that all companies want to participate in theprogram again and would recommend the program to other companies is positive. Our hope isthat these initial internships will initiate long-term partnerships that will enable the internshipprogram to continue