Conference Session

Mechanics and the Internet

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark Holdhusen, University of Wisconsin - Marathon County; Christa James-Byrnes, University of Wisconsin - Barboo/Sauk County; Luis Rodriguez, University of Wisconsin - Waukesha

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

manageable component in which to concentrate their teaching. In planning the lesson,teachers start by determining the learning goals they want students to achieve. From these goals,learning objectives are formed and then the student exercises or activities are developed to attainthe objectives. The lesson plan consists of the instructor methodology and techniques forinstruction as well as the expected reaction of the students. The lesson is developed with studentlearning as the focal point, including how students will interpret the information and thedifficulties they may have in reaching the learning goals.The overarching goal of a lesson study is to improve teaching. This goal is achieved by threespecific objectives. The first objective of a

Conference Session

Anything New in the Mechanics of Materials?

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Arturo Fuentes, University of Texas-Pan American; Stephen Crown, University of Texas-Pan American; Bob Freeman, University of Texas-Pan American

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

motivation of repeated success in the educational process through Page 13.676.4significant challenges, feedback, reflection, and change. Although there are many factors thatmay affect student motivation, there are common elements of motivation that affect a broad crosssection of the student population where connections are made between the educational processand career goals or values. This is not to suggest that motivation is or should be the central focusof learning theories or the design of a comprehensive educational plan. However, motivationmust be considered and will have significant impact on the educational process.Academically motivating a

Conference Session

Enhancing Mechanics Instruction

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gangbing Song, University of Houston; Mithun Singla, University of Houston; Christy Chang, University of Houston; Richard Bannerot, University of Houston

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

simpledynamics and vibrations experiments, collecting and recording data through the PZT sensor anddSpace™ board. Additionally, utilizing the programmable microcontroller in the control module,students will be asked to design vibration control algorithms in SimuLink™ for simpleexcitations which will be downloaded on to the microcontroller, implemented, and tested forefficacy. There are also plans to develop the smart flexible beam test bed with internet access,allowing remote control and operation of the beam. Students would be able to access the beamfrom their homes, as well as record data remotely, download recorded data on demand, and testdesigned controllers remotely.AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to thank the National Science Foundation for

Conference Session

Mechanics Education Programs and Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sridhar Condoor, Saint Louis University, Parks College of Eng.; Sanjay Jayaram, Saint Louis University, Parks College of Eng.; Lawrence Boyer, Saint Louis University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

3.74 1.01 Worksheets 3.55 1.02 Table 2. Summary of the survey resultsWhile the preliminary results and the informal feedback from the students is encouraging, plansare being made to develop these five instruments further by adding more sophisticated casestudies, examples, and problems. In the forthcoming semester, it is planned to move beyondsimple student surveys to more objective assessment of student achievements.References1. Harris, T.A., Jacobs, H.R., "On effective methods to teach mechanical design," Journal of Engineering Education,Oct., 1995, pp. 343-349.2. Steif, P.S. and Dantzler, J.A., “A statics

Conference Session

Anything New in Dynamics?

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thomas Nordenholz, California Maritime Academy

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

along the floor. It is possible to obtain s(t) using just the tangential acceleration. However, the calculations involved are complex,xiinvolving the solution of a differential equation where the forcing function is the data input (See Equation (1)). The Page 13.1054.16author has done this (obtaining accurate results) with a previous class but felt that the complexity of the calculationsmade the use of accelerometers seem very challenging and confusing for students. The use of the rate gyro shouldmake this much more straightforward; therefore the author is planning on doing this experiment with an upcomingclass.VI

Conference Session

Enhancing Mechanics Instruction

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Phillip Cornwell, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

in 20039. Thiscourse involves a “roving laboratory” for undergraduate students. Experiments in the rovinglaboratory are to be carried out in class, in two different on-campus facilities, and in the field.Experiments are used by the instructor to motivate each and every theoretical discussion in class,to teach students how to plan, conduct and interpret their own experiments, and to exposestudents to important emerging areas of experimental mechanics. Students are then required todesign and implement a vibration test. The original offering of this course only had 14 students,and it is not clear if this approach is scalable to larger classes.It is clear that experimental vibration analysis is an important tool for identifying dynamicproperties

Conference Session

Mechanics Education Programs and Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cliff Lissenden, Pennsylvania State University; Nicholas Salamon, Pennsylvania State University; Andrew Miller, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

2.90 1100 sheet Totals 62.02 49.07 Note: Quantity usually includes the total quantity (amount, length, etc.) of product used in the entire design. For item No. or Part names in call-outs, length for each is determined from the drawing, not the total value given here. Also note that Sch 40 means item 1 is pipe, not tube, but you may include the word pipe. Weight is the total for the quantity specified. Costs given here are examples and may be inaccurate.2. Methods (15%). This section summarizes in narrative form your design process: your plan or strategy, approach to