Conference Session

Problem- and Project-based Learning in Engineering Mechanics

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Xiaobin Le, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

Paper ID #41253Incorporating Design Projects to Facilitate Students’ Understanding of MechanicalVibrationsDr. Xiaobin Le, Wentworth Institute of Technology Professor, Ph.D, PE., Department of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA 02115, Phone: 617-989-4223, Email: Lex@wit.edu, Specialization in Computer Aided Design, Mechanical Design, Finite Element Analysis, Fatigue design and Reliability design. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 INCORPORATING DESIGN PROJECTS TO FACILITATE STUDENTS' UNDERSTANDING OF MECHANICAL

Conference Session

Problem- and Project-based Learning in Engineering Mechanics

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kathryn Hasz, Carthage College

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

ask.After students generate their questions, the instructor brings the class back together to discuss thegiven prompts and develop potential next steps as a group. While students are able to ask theirquestions, there is no requirement that they do so to avoid development of artificial orconstrained questions for fear of peer and instructor judgement [12]. Some example questionsthat lead to next steps will be discussed in one of the first lab sections to model how askingquestions can move a project forward.Students then are tasked with designing an experiment to measure the values they need with theequipment they are given. There are often multiple ways a student could successfully approachthe problem. In early labs, the class will come together

Conference Session

Problem- and Project-based Learning in Engineering Mechanics

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Seyed Mohammad Seyed Ardakani, Ohio Northern University; Josh Wiseman, Ohio Northern University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

Paper ID #43608Testing an EML Activity in StaticsDr. Seyed Mohammad Seyed Ardakani, Ohio Northern University Dr. Ardakani is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Ohio Northern University. He has previously served as a Project Engineer at Englekirk Structural Engineers and a Lecturer at South Dakota State University. He obtained his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno. His research interests include engineering education, seismic performance and design of reinforced concrete structures, and computational modeling of structures. He received the 2020-21 Professor Henry Horldt Outstanding

Conference Session

Problem- and Project-based Learning in Engineering Mechanics

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amir H. Danesh-Yazdi, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Aimee Monique Cloutier, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Sean Moseley, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Link Element Design for a Landing Gear Mechanism in a Statics and Mechanics of Materials CourseAbstractIn this work, we describe a project involving a link element design for a landing gear mechanismas part of our Statics and Mechanics of Materials I course. During this project, students are askedto design a safe and lightweight linkage that will allow the landing gear to safely and slowlyretract from a vertical position to a nearly horizontal one without breaking or stretching more than10% of its original length. This project is introduced at the halfway point of the 10-week term, atwhich point students are familiar with the 2D equilibrium of rigid bodies and the concepts

Conference Session

Unique Pedagogies for Mechanics Education

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joshua Gargac, Ohio Northern University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

-class work time. The students were able to seek helpfrom the instructor, TAs, and their peers to complete these assignments. Students were given at leastthree attempts to demonstrate mastery on Level 1 computer apps skills (Tab. 4). Eight skills (Tab. 2; -HW) were developed to motivate the students to regularly watch the lectures, attend class, andcomplete homework assignments. Essentially, these eight homework skills provided a “participation”grade for this system. Finally, a semester long project, described elsewhere [10], accounted for a totalof four skills. For comparison, a table relating the 2021 mastery-skills to the 2023 skills is provided inAppendix 3. Table 2: 2023 Mastery

Conference Session

Understanding the Student Experience in Mechanics Courses

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rawan Aqel, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Samia Tarannum, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

professor and a lab taught by a graduateteaching assistant (GTA) each week. Since the transition to one course, instructors, students, andTAs have noticed otherwise talented students are struggling in the new course. Our overallresearch project focuses on the student experience in this course through the grounded theorymethodology. It aims to provide actionable feedback for GTAs and professors teaching the course,data the college can use to apply widely in engineering courses and provide the groundwork forfuture grants to improve the engineering curricula at this university to improve its access mission.For this work-in-progress paper, the goal is to discuss the results through the lens of one case studyusing the question: What supports and

Conference Session

Student Self-assessment in Mechanics Courses

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Matthew Jordan Ford, University of Washington; Heather Dillon, University of Washington

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

design, and inquiry-guided learning. He has supervised undergraduate and master’s student research projects and capstone design teams.Dr. Heather Dillon, University of Washington Dr. Heather Dillon is Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington Tacoma. Her research team is working on energy efficiency, renewable energy, fundamental heat transfer, and engineering education. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 A secure, scalable approach to student-graded homework for self-reflectionAbstractA large body of research shows that deliberate practice is essential to developing expertise in anyskill. The essential

Conference Session

Applications and Computational Tools for Mechanics Education

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andrew R. Sloboda, Bucknell University; Kimberly LeChasseur, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Sarah Wodin-Schwartz P.E., Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

Paper ID #41518Impacts of a Free-body Diagram Mobile App on Content Mastery and Women’sSelf-EfficacyDr. Andrew R. Sloboda, Bucknell University Andrew Sloboda is an Assistant Professor at Bucknell University where he teaches a variety of mechanics- based courses. His research interests lie primarily in the fields of nonlinear dynamics and how context impacts student learning.Dr. Kimberly LeChasseur, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Dr. Kimberly LeChasseur is a researcher and evaluator with the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She holds a dual appointment with the Center for Project-Based Learning and the Morgan Teaching and

Conference Session

Learning Mechanics through Visual and Tactile Modalities

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eric Davishahl, Whatcom Community College; Alan Zhang, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; John Chen P.E., California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Kathryn Mary Rupe, Western Washington University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

Paper ID #43735Can Hands-on Statics Improve Student Learning?Prof. Eric Davishahl, Whatcom Community College Eric Davishahl serves as professor and engineering program coordinator at Whatcom Community College in northwest Washington state. His current project involves developing and piloting an integrated multidisciplinary learning community for first-year engineering. More general teaching and research interests include designing, implementing and assessing activities for first-year engineering, engineering mechanics, and scientific computing. Eric has been an active member of ASEE since 2001. He was the recipient of the

Conference Session

Understanding the Student Experience in Mechanics Courses

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brian P. Self, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; James M Widmann, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

Paper ID #42873Dynamics for D’s: Avoiding Multiple Failures in a High Risk CourseDr. Brian P. Self, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Dr. Brian Self worked in the Air Force Research Laboratories before teaching at the U.S. Air Force Academy for seven years. Brian has taught in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo since 2006. Dr Self’s engineering education interests include collaborating on the Dynamics Concept Inventory, developing model-eliciting activities in mechanical engineering courses, inquiry-based learning in mechanics, and design projects to help promote

Conference Session

Understanding the Student Experience in Mechanics Courses

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Milad Rezvani Rad, University of Southern Indiana; Julian Ly Davis, University of Southern Indiana

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

survey link. A total of 24 students (out of 28 students, resulting in an 86%participation rate) actively participated in the survey that is detailed in Appendix A. Although thestudents in Dynamics had limited knowledge of ChatGPT, the students in Statics class had moreexperience due to prior exposure as they were assigned an in-class project and presentation thatinvolved utilizing ChatGPT for solving Statics problems. As a result of this deliberate differedexposure, a meaningful difference between the students’ responses was observed.In this survey, students were asked about a variety of aspects to explore the opportunities andchallenges of using AI-powered tools for engineering education. In addition to their experienceworking with ChatGPT

Conference Session

Applications and Computational Tools for Mechanics Education

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James Giancaspro, University of Miami; Diana Arboleda, University of Miami; Seulki Jenny Chin, University of Miami; Liping Yang, University of Miami; Walter G Secada, University of Miami

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

Learning ActivitiesThe overall goal of the learning activities was to improve undergraduate engineering students'understanding of the following vector concepts in a 3D space:1. Cartesian components of vectors2. Unit vectors3. Directional angles4. Vector addition and subtraction using the triangle law5. Cross product using the right-hand rule6. Dot product to determine the angle between two vectors7. Dot product to compute the projection of a force onto a lineThe authors created paper-based learning activities in the form of guided inquiry [19] to addresseach of the concepts. The activities were integrated into the app by designing the app andactivities in parallel. Both were designed without context (i.e. not specific to any STEM course).This

Conference Session

Learning Mechanics through Visual and Tactile Modalities

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarira Motaref, University of Connecticut

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

problems step by step. Each class is 50 minutes long, and it meetsthree times a week. Class time includes a brief lecture from the instructor about the day's topicand related real-world examples, followed by a session where students solve problems.In the summer of 2020, the Mechanics of Materials course was chosen to undergo a redesign aspart of the "INCLUDE, Beyond Accommodation: Leveraging Neurodiversity for EngineeringInnovation" research project. This project was supported by the Engineering Education Centersof the National Science Foundation. Its goal was to revolutionize engineering education andfoster an inclusive environment that supports learners with neurodiversity. While universaldesign principles can make courses accessible to everyone

Conference Session

Unique Pedagogies for Mechanics Education

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amie Baisley, University of Florida; Julian Ly Davis, University of Southern Indiana; Geoffrey Recktenwald, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

styles increased when project-basedlearning was used [7]. Many of these studies also compared end of semester grades to see ifteaching style affected those, but there were no statistically significant results in student scoresfor courses with different teaching styles.The field of engineering has seen a significant shift in implementation of innovative coursedesigns in the last few decades. These changes are heavily supported by engineering educationresearch and faculty connections made. Through these faculty connections, discussions aboutteaching the same courses and addressing similar classroom issues spur further innovation inclassroom designs. The conversations are rarely about the course content but rather how thatinformation is delivered

Conference Session

Learning Mechanics through Visual and Tactile Modalities

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brandon Clumpner, United States Military Academy; Kevin Francis McMullen, United States Military Academy; Elizabeth Bristow, United States Military Academy

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

stimulating images. (a) (b) Figure 7: Photoelasticity setup: (a) Tension tests; (b) Torsion tests.ResultsPhysical Material Failure BoardThe final material failure display board is shown in Figure 8. The authors elected to build threedisplay boards. It was decided not to include plaques to avoid inundating the display with toomuch information. The authors determined the excess information would detract from thefundamental aim of the project. The name of the material was laser engraved into the plywoodfor each material. The board would be utilized by different courses on different lessons. Withsmall section sizes of a maximum of 20 students, some courses have simultaneous

Conference Session

Learning Mechanics through Visual and Tactile Modalities

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Maxine Fontaine, Stevens Institute of Technology; Chaitanya Krishna Vallabh, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

Paper ID #44228Correlating Common Errors in Statics Problem Solving with Spatial AbilityDr. Maxine Fontaine, Stevens Institute of Technology Maxine Fontaine is a Teaching Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. She received her Ph.D. in 2010 from Aalborg University in Aalborg, Denmark. Maxine has a background in the biomechanics of human movement, and her current research projects are related to spatial skills and adaptive expertise in engineering students.Dr. Chaitanya Krishna Vallabh, Stevens Institute of Technology ©American Society for Engineering Education

Conference Session

Assessing Conceptual Thinking about Engineering Mechanics

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Katherine E. Welsh, United States Air Force Academy; Lorena S. Grundy, Tufts University; Brian P. Self, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

M.S. degrees in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech, and his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Utah. He worked in the Air Force Research Laboratories before teaching at the U.S. Air Force Academy for for seven years. Brian has taught in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo since 2006. Dr Self’s engineering education interests include collaborating on the Dynamics Concept Inventory, developing model-eliciting activities in mechanical engineering courses, inquiry-based learning in mechanics, and design projects to help promote adapted physical activities. Other professional interests include aviation physiology and biomechanics. He is a Fellow of the American Society

Conference Session

Applications and Computational Tools for Mechanics Education

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nathan Miner, Iowa State University of Science and Technology; Alice Alipour P.E., Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

Vectors Unit Vectors Dot Product Angle between vectors Projection onto a line Particle Equilibrium 3D Particle Equilibrium Moments Scalar Analysis using the Right Hand Rule Vector Analysis using Cross Product Moment about a line or axis Moment due to a Couple System Simplification A resultant force and couple-moment A resultant force at specified coordinates in a parallel force system Reduction to a Wrench Rigid Body Equilibrium 3D Rigid Body EquilibriumMethodologyIn both the control and experimental class, each of the

Conference Session

Student Self-assessment in Mechanics Courses

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ashraf Badir, Florida Gulf Coast University; Ali Irmak Ozdagli, Florida Gulf Coast University; Jiehong Liao, Florida Gulf Coast University; Micheal Abiodun Uduebor, Florida Gulf Coast University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

), and as a faculty member and junior consultant at FUTA (2013). His expertise spans deep foundations, pavement substructures, small dams, hydrocarbon contamination remediation, and landfill emission mitigation projects. Dr. Uduebor’s research focuses on sustainable civil infrastructure, ground improvement, and geohazards risk mitigation, leveraging his deep understanding of geomechanics and the application of water-repellent materials in geotechnical engineering. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024Work in Progress: Targeted Self-Graded Problems in Engineering MechanicsAbstractEngineering mechanics is known to be a “bottleneck” course required in various engineeringdisciplines

Conference Session

Student Self-assessment in Mechanics Courses

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amie Baisley, University of Florida; Chiranjeevi Singh Marutla, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

for processing and analyzing text data. For this project the SentimentIntensityAnalyzer was used which is a part of the NLTK library. It provides a simple way to assess the sentiment of a piece of text by assigning a sentiment score to it, ranging from -1 (most negative) to 1 (most positive), with 0 indicating a neutral sentiment. NLTK is a versatile library that allows more control over the sentiment analysis process, but it requires more manual effort and expertise compared to libraries like TextBlob. • Deep Learning: Deep learning models [21] for sentiment analysis are more sophisticated and capable of capturing complex patterns in text data, making them potentially more accurate than shallow