Conference Session

Biological & Agricultural Division Technical Session

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Heydi Han, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Hector Palala, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Jennifer Keshwani, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Deepak R. Keshwani, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

Paper ID #39485Community Building through Technology in a Biological SystemsEngineering CourseHeydi Han, University of Nebraska, Lincoln Heydi Han is a Ph.D. student in the Biological Systems Engineering program at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. She received her B.S in Chemical Engineering and her B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala and her M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University. Her research focuses on biological systems modeling and the Corn-Water-Ethanol-Beef Nexus in Nebraska. In addition to her research, Heydi has been a teaching assistant for

Conference Session

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE) Technical Session 1

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Madhumi Mitra Ph.D, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Abhijit Nagchaudhuri, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Jesu Raj Pandya, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Alena Zheng, University of Maryland College Park

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

Eastern Shore. He is a member American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Society for Engineering Education (Mr. Jesu Raj Pandya, University of Maryland Eastern ShoreAlena Zheng, University of Maryland College Park ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Sustainable Lunar Agriculture in Experiential Learning: Integrating Innovative Technologies for Space FarmingAbstractNASA’s Artemis mission focuses on “Go, Land, Live, and Explore” the Moon, with sustaininglife as a key challenge for future lunar settlements. Smart agriculture, which employs advancedautomation to enhance crop productivity while reducing labor, is central to overcoming thischallenge. This

Conference Session

Engineering education issues relevant to agricultural, biological and ecological engineering-Part 2

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hector Palala, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Heydi Han, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Juan Carlos Ramos Tanchez, Cornell University; Boanerges Elias Bamaca, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

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Paper ID #43894Language Fusion in the Lab: Unveiling the Translanguaging Strategies ofSpanish-Speaking Students in Biosystem Engineering Technology and ScienceHector Palala, University of Nebraska, Lincoln H´ector de Jes´us Palala Mart´ınez is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum Studies and new technologies in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. H´ector teaches courses related to the integration of technology for future high school teachers as well as bilingual education, and in all his classes, he promotes justice, dignity, and human rights. Previously, he was a

Conference Session

Engineering Education Issues Relevant to Agricultural, Biological and Ecological Engineering: Part 1

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Trisha Moore, Kansas State University; James Randall Etheridge; Glenn Thomas Dale; Sara Winnike McMillan, Iowa State University of Science and Technology; Niroj Aryal; David Austin; Theresa Thompson, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

Paper ID #44392An Ecological Engineering (EcoE) Body of Knowledge to Support UndergraduateEcoE EducationDr. Trisha Moore, Kansas State UniversityDr. James Randall EtheridgeGlenn Thomas DaleSara Winnike McMillan, Iowa State University of Science and TechnologyDr. Niroj Aryal Dr. Niroj Aryal is an associate professor of Biological Engineering at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design at the North Carolina A&T State University. His academic background includes a bachelorˆa C™s in Agricultural EngineeringDavid AustinTheresa Thompson, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Conference Session

Engineering education issues relevant to agricultural, biological and ecological engineering-Part 2

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard Cody Prince, East Tennessee State University; PAMELA MIMS, East Tennessee State University; Aruna Kilaru, East Tennessee State University; Eric Jorgenson, East Tennessee State University

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

and Nashville,each home to major research medical centers and several bio-based firms operating in thepharmacological, healthcare, and non-healthcare-related segments. According to data publishedby industry groups in 2022, Tennessee’s bioscience industry has been on an upward trajectorysince 2018 [18]. Although the bioeconomy is not as well represented in the AppalachianHighlands, several medium-sized firms are located in the area. A key partner in our efforts isCrown Laboratories, a skincare-focused company, which recently launched a major product lineutilizing engineered bacteria as the essential component of the product. Although not typicallyplaced in the same category as other bioscience technologies, the fermentation, brewing

Conference Session

Engineering Education Issues Relevant to Agricultural, Biological and Ecological Engineering: Part 1

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hector Palala, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Amy Millmier Schmidt, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Mara Zelt, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Bethany Zelt, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Andrew Stiven Ortiz Balsero, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Maria Jose Oviedo Ventura, Cornell University

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

San Carlos in Guatemala, and before that, an elementary teacher. His research centers on the intersection of bilingual/multilingual education and technology (in particular, Mayan languages), literacy programs in Indigenous languages, pedagogy of tenderness, and artificial intelligence for education.Amy Millmier Schmidt, University of Nebraska, LincolnMara Zelt, University of Nebraska, Lincoln Mara Zelt is the program manager for the Schmidt Research and Extension Team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. In her role Mara is responsible for supporting the team’s outreach and research programs including the nationwide iAMResponsible project, a partnership of multi

Conference Session

Engineering Education Issues Relevant to Agricultural, Biological and Ecological Engineering: Part 1

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Deepak R Keshwani, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Jennifer Keshwani, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Logan Ryan Newman, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Rachel Ibach, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Taryn King, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

are to provide a brief overview of the ecological validationmodel, which is the framework of PASS approach, and how that was used to guide departmentstudent success strategies.Overview of DepartmentOur department has three undergraduate degree programs. Biological Systems Engineering (BE)and Agricultural Engineering (AE) are offered through the College of Engineering and theAgricultural Systems Technology (AST) is offered through the College of Agricultural Sciencesand Natural Resources. Table 1 provides information on enrollment, and percentage of studentsthat would be considered at-promise students. It is worth noting that there are additionalcategories of at-promise students, but our institutional processes currently do not

Conference Session

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE) Technical Session

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Leslie Bartsch Massey, University of Arkansas

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

technological advancements, driving innovative research, and ensuring thatacademic programs remain aligned with industry demands [6].The field of biological engineering has the potential to make a significant global impact, yet itremains less widely recognized compared to more traditional engineering disciplines. Itsrelevance is steadily increasing as it addresses pressing global challenges related to renewableenergy which is driving innovation and economic growth [7]. Students who have a balance oftechnical skills as well as professional skills (e.g., problem solving, strong communication,teamwork and interpersonal skills) are often better equipped to navigate the competitive joblandscape and find fulfilling roles after graduation [8].One of the key

Conference Session

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE) Technical Session

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christopher Isaac Camacho, University of Texas at El Paso; Toluwalase Opanuga, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Heidi A. Diefes-Dux, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

Paper ID #46376Student Self-Reported Knowledge Gains from Reflection Implementation inTwo Biological and Agricultural Engineering CoursesChristopher Isaac Camacho, University of Texas at El Paso Christopher Camacho is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Engineering Innovation and Leadership with a concentration in Electrical Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso. He serves as a teaching assistant and student researcher at the Center for Research in Engineering and Technology Education (CREaTE). In the summer of 2024, he participated in an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of

Conference Session

Strategies and/or Approaches to Engage Students in Agricultural, Biological, or Similarly Named Programs

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Madhumi Mitra Ph.D., University of Maryland, Eastern Shore; Abhijit Nagchaudhuri, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore; Jesu Raj Pandya, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

forefront of this transformation. STEM students,as future innovators and leaders, need to be well-equipped with knowledge and skills in thisdomain. However, the key to effective learning lies in inclusivity and hands-on experience. Thispaper aims to elucidate strategies for integrating inclusive experiential learning with sustainablerobotic agriculture in STEM education.The student participants from science and engineering explored the potential benefits andchallenges of technologies such as Farmbots (an open-source farming technology that combinesrobotics, automation, and software to facilitate precision farming in small-scale agriculturalsettings) while considering the equitable distribution of resources, the three P’s (People, Planet,and Profit

Conference Session

Biological & Agricultural Division Technical Session

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Abhijit Nagchaudhuri, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore; Madhumi Mitra, Ph.D., University of Maryland, Eastern Shore; Jesu Raj Pandya, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

leaders at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) have engagedundergraduate engineering and computer science students with graduate students in the FoodScience and Technology (FDST) program to promote education and research efforts aligned withthe land grant mission of the campus, regional priorities of the eastern shore region and objectivesoutlined in extramurally funded projects supported by National Institute of Food and Agriculture(NIFA/USDA). As part of the project, students have engaged in growing specialty crops usingFarmBots (http://farm.bot) in an outdoor 10ft by 20ft raised bed inside a tunnel house poweredby solar and wind energy, as well as an indoor setup on a 5ft by 10ft bed with LED-grow lights.Rainwater harvesting

Conference Session

Strategies and/or Approaches to Engage Students in Agricultural, Biological, or Similarly Named Programs

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lucie Guertault, North Carolina State University

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Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

solveengineering problems. At Milwaukee School of Engineering, a programming course wasdesigned for mechanical engineers, using example applications in mechatronics [13]. On thecourse evaluations, students reported that they were inspired to put more effort into making suretheir codes were working in order to see their mechatronic systems function. At Hong KongUniversity of Science and Technology, an Excel VBA course for chemical engineering studentsthat focused on problems like solving ordinary differential equations, fluid flow in pipes andbatch reactor modeling was designed [14]. In the end of course survey, students reported thatVBA programming was useful to solve Chemical Engineering problems, and that theprogramming also enhanced their understanding