Conference Session

Aerospace Technical Session

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kenneth Van Treuren, Baylor University; Daniel Kirk, Florida Institute of Technology; Tein-min Tan, Drexel University; Sridhar Santhanam, Villanova University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

examined was the K-12 and collegeSTEM education pipeline and, in particular, Boeing’s current role in this area. Based onobservations gained through this study, recommendations were proposed for an educationaleffort in STEM education.Attributes of an Engineer: A StudyA study, recently commissioned by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), identified thedesired attributes of the Engineer of 20202. These traits are: • Possesses strong analytical skills • Exhibits practical ingenuity; possesses creativity • Good communication skills with multiple stakeholders • Business and management skills; Leadership abilities • High ethical standards and a strong sense of professionalism

Conference Session

Aerospace Technical Session

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kerri Phillips, West Virginia University; Giampiero Campa, The MathWorks, Inc.; Srikanth Gururajan, West Virginia University; Marcello Napolitano, West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

, where hard skills refers to math and science aspects of theeducation and soft skills refers to professional abilities. The soft skills include “functioning onmultidisciplinary teams; understanding professional and ethical responsibility; ability tocommunicate effectively; the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineeringsolutions within a global, economic, environmental, and social context; recognition of the needfor and an ability to engage in lifelong learning; and a knowledge of contemporary issues”9.Flight testing research involves most aspects of aerospace engineering education: aircraft design,composite structures, flight dynamics, flight simulation, propulsion, and system engineering toname a few. Furthermore, flight

Conference Session

Aerospace Technical Session

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Edward Crawley, MIT; Robert Niewoehner, United States Naval Academy; Jean Koster, University of Colorado, Boulder

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

contribute to understanding. It isappropriate to set aeronautical education in the context of aerospace product development forseveral reasons. First, it is what our graduates will do when they graduate. It culturally preparesthem for the activities of engineering, and excites them by satisfying their desire to perform theroles of an engineer. Secondly, it aids in teaching the skills that they will need in the workplace.If we are to teach students to communicate and work in teams, and especially to act ethically andcreatively, it is far easier to impart this understanding while working on authentic engineeringactivities. Finally, and most subtly, learning in context better supports the learning of the criticalaeronautics core competencies