Conference Session

Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

George Youssef, San Diego State University; Vladimir Arutyunov, California State University Northridge

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

MechanicalComponents (referred to as Machine Design). These courses are very important in educatingstudents on the fundamentals of engineering, mechanics, and design, where in some cases systemsynthesis is emphasized. In this educational paradigm, students are expected to link the chain ofknowledge together with little to no guidance. Youssef and Kabo recognized this issue andproposed a new approach to teach Machine Design, where they integrated more systems designconsiderations as well as soft-skills such as communication [2]. They reported significantimprovement in the quality of students as the students moved into capstone courses and industry;however, this course was at the junior level and their approach requires substantial investment ofprofessors’ time

Conference Session

Using Laboratories for Instruction in Mechanical Engineering

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Heather Dillon, University of Portland; Nathan Schmedake, University of Portland; Karen Elizabeth Eifler, University of Portland; Timothy A Doughty, University of Portland; Ken Lulay, University of Portland

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

laboratory.To assess the effectiveness of the laboratory experiment a student survey was administered andresults indicate the new laboratory experiment has been successful in improving studentengagement.IntroductionThis paper describes a set of laboratory modules based on a low-cost toaster oven that studentsencounter throughout the mechanical engineering curriculum. The toaster oven project is part ofa larger effort by several mechanical engineering faculty to enhance the entire laboratorycurriculum. The laboratory curriculum enhancement includes two facets: 1. Modernize and improve the technical skills acquired by students in the laboratory courses. 2. Thoughtfully incorporate developmental skills (soft skills like teamwork