1st-year course in electrical and computerengineering recently developed and implemented at DigiPen Institute of Technology. Theprimary objective of the course is to engage students in authentic engineering work early in theiracademic careers. Previous studies have shown that student engagement often leads to increasedstudent retention rates in engineering programs. Moreover, including engineering work in the 1styear of a program often better prepares students for their subsequent and more advancedengineering courses.The project currently implemented consists of sensor and telemetry systems for high-altitudeballoons. Students are required to use the cricketsat design approach, which involves an electriccircuit with an output that changes
process for product development to improve quality and better student preparationfor future careers [5-7]. Some studies focused on the importance of improving group selection,effective teamwork and motivation for overall project quality [8-11]. Another way to ensurequality projects is to establish partnerships with local industry to identify projects topics andcollaborate in monitoring and evaluation [12]. Aligning projects with community service andcauses such sustainability [13-18] proved to increase students’ motivation, creativity andimprove project success.In addition to adopting effective team selection, better management, motivation and partnershipsas discussed in above studies, the issue of bridging the gap between classroom
and their so- lutions. Her research also involves working with educators to shift their expectations and instructional practice to facilitate effective STEM integration. Tamara is the recipient of a 2012 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for her work on STEM integration with underrep- resented minority and underprivileged urban K-12 students. Page 24.805.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2014 Introducing an Instructional Model for “Flipped Classrooms” -Part (II): How Do Group Discussions Foster Meaningful Learning
manager and senior con- sultant. He has taught and developed undergraduate and graduate courses in electronics, power systems, control and power electronics, 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, measurement and modeling, numerical modeling, electromagnetic compatibility and engineering education. During his career Dr. Belu published several papers in