Paper ID #48623ACE up your Sleeve: An Analysis of Student Generative AI Usage in anEngineering Statics CourseJacklyn Wyszynski, University of PittsburghDavid Adam DeFrancisis, University of PittsburghDavid Pabst, University of PittsburghMr. Lee Allen Dosse, University of Pittsburgh Lee A. Dosse is a PhD student working with the Engineering Education Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh.Dr. Matthew M. Barry, University of Pittsburgh Dr. Barry is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science department at the University of Pittsburgh. His research interests include space power
Paper ID #48229Empowering engineering students to become more effective and self-regulatedlearners through course-integrated learning strategies intervention: a pilotstudy in a solid mechanics courseDr. Huihui Qi, University of California, San Diego Dr.Huihui Qi is an Associate Teaching Professor in the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, at the University of California San Diego.Richard Eugene Vallejo Jr, University of California, San Diego Richard Vallejo is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UC San Diego majoring in Mechanical Engineering, completing his degree in June 2025. He works under Dr. Huihui Qi
most impactful towards strengthening studentlearning, engagement, and attainment is classroom environment [5], [6], [7], [18], [25].In this regard, research underscores the significance of the psychosocial aspect of the classroom,which integrates psychological factors with the social environment to enhance educationalproductivity [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [11], [13]. A positive classroom climate fosters diverse learningstyles and promotes academic development, underscoring the need for educators to prepare anddeliver lecture content with clarity, technical rigor, and an inclusive structure [14].To this end, various communication methodologies have been designed and implemented foreducators use [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. Marquez and Garcia
complete assignments or find answers rather than for deeper learning or conceptual understanding. In higher education, textbooks are often used as a substitute for attending lectures or paying attention to them[22]. tudents often view textbooks as tools for completing homework or preparing for exams ratherSthan as a resource to support their conceptual understanding. This issue is particularly concerning in engineering, where developing a strong conceptual understanding is critical for success in upper-level courses. This suggests an opportunity to rethink how engineering textbooks are written and integrated into the curriculum. By prioritizing clarity and alignment with student needs, textbooks can be
it to the ample DEI spectrum. This research explores the navigation and decision-making processes of two instructorswho integrate their DEI principles while implementing an instructional active learning system. Wefocus on how these instructors implemented and adapted the system, in which DEI themes emergednaturally, and how these instructors’ views align with a framework for equitable and effectiveteaching. Theoretical FrameworkThis study is guided by a framework for equitable and effective teaching in undergraduateSTEM education (Holmes et al., 2023). The framework defines equitable and effective teachingas the provision of learning experiences that are student-centered in which course goals are
” [1, p. 1]. Statics is a core pre-requisite course for subsequent engineeringcourses such as dynamics and mechanics of materials, the combination of which is a critical partof the engineering curriculum [2]. Simply put, an understanding of statics is crucial for successin more advanced engineering courses. However, prior research highlights that engineeringstatics can be particularly challenging for students and can hinder their progress towardgraduation [3], [4], [5]. Students with low grades often have to retake the course, which hasdirect impacts on retention in engineering programs [6].Prior research examined instructors' perceptions of the high rates of D, F, and W grades in anengineering statics course at an R1 Midwestern University [7
) emphasizes an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze andinterpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions [1]. While there are severalother courses in the mechanical engineering curriculum such as thermodynamics, heat transfer,and senior capstone design where SO6 can be assessed, those courses at WIT are reserved toassess other outcomes [2].Conventional lab exercises in Mechanics of Materials focus on compression, tension, shear andtorsion. These experiments use standard universal testing machines (UTM) like Instron, MTS,and Tinius Olsen machines to analyze material properties, stress, and strain. While thesetraditional lab assignments provide in depth knowledge of normal and shear stress, strain, torque
been shown to foster metacognition,helping students identify areas for improvement and connect their coursework to broaderprofessional contexts [5-6].In this paper, we will discuss the integration of portfolios into a flipped sophomore-levelDynamics course, an application where their use has been relatively unexplored. FlippingDynamics, with its emphasis on analytical problem-solving and applied mathematics, presentsunique challenges and opportunities for portfolio-based learning. We chose to require portfoliosfor several practical reasons. First, we wanted to motivate students to watch the pre-class videosby requiring them to include completed notetakers in their portfolios. Second, we aimed toreview their homework solution write-ups to
Engineering.Dr. Phillip Cornwell, U.S. Air Force Academy Phillip Cornwell is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the United States Air Force Academy and an Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1989, and his current interests include structural dynamics, structural health monitoring, and undergraduate engineering education. Dr. Cornwell received the SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award in 1992, the Dean’s Outstanding Teacher Award at Rose-Hulman in 2000, and the Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees’ Outstanding Scholar Award in 2001. He was one of the developers of the Rose-Hulman Sophomore Engineering Curriculum and the Dynamics
. Matthew West, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Matthew West is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining Illinois he was on the faculties of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at StanfoProf. Mariana Kersh, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Mariana Kersh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Health Innovation Professor in the Carle-Illinois College of Medicine, and Director of the Tissue Biomechanics Laboratory. She also serves as co-chair of the Integrative Imaging Theme of the Beckman Institute
, especially if the level of rigor is perceived to be much higher than courses in thepre-statics curriculum. And while this perception may be a direct product of the need forimproved pedagogy, it may also be an unearned byproduct of suboptimal preparation in thecurriculum prior to students taking statics. Considerable recent work has been done on betterunderstanding student perceptions in statics and there have been some insightful findings thatincorporate not only the in-class aspects of the technical challenge of the course but also theimpact of non-academic factors. Investigators have reported the student experience in statics is astrong product of how much students struggle with foundational skills in math and science, andespecially with
social distancing protocols.AcknowledgementsThe research described herein is part of a project titled “Hand-on Experiential Learning toImprove Comprehension and Retention in Engineering Mechanics” funded by an internal grantthrough the Faculty Research Enhancement Program at Angelo State University.Survey data was conducted with the approval of the University Institutional Review Board (andif applicable, other relevant IRB committees)- Approval #HAQ-081121. The survey results willbe published only in aggregate without any information to personally identify participants.Participation will remain confidential.References[1] S. Kaul and P. Sitaram, “Curriculum Design of Statics and Dynamics: An IntegratedScaffolding and Hands-On Approach.” ASEE
“3C’s”framework — Curiosity, Connections, and Creating value [3]. Curiosity refers to one’swillingness to continuously pursue new opportunities and ideas, challenge the status quo, andgrow through errors and peer feedback. Connections is the ability to analyze information from awide array of sources, recognize the intersection and interconnectedness of many concepts, andconsidering the broader environment. Creating value is the focus on fulfilling clear necessitiesand making a positive impact on others and themselves. Integrating this framework into students’engineering curriculum would allow them to acquire desirable soft-skills and better prepare themto make impactful contributions in their future careers.At a large US public university