Conference Session

Engineering Ethics: Using Case Studies

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Didier Valdes, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez; Erika Jaramillo Giraldo, University of Puerto Rico; Jorge Ferrer, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez; William Frey, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Ethics

has taught business and engineering ethics at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez for the last 19 years, currently in that university’s College of Business Administration. His areas of research include engineering ethics, moral psychology, computer ethics, as well as research and business ethics. He is currently a Co-PI on the GERESE project in research ethics and Co-PI on another NSF project devoted to developing an online toolkit of modules and cases for use in ethics across the curriculum initiatives . Page 14.307.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Case analysis: a

Conference Session

Capstone and Senior Design in Engineering Technology

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ivana Milanovic, University of Hartford; Tom Eppes, University of Hartford

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

EET have taken different approaches in the planning, organizing and exectuion of theirrespective capstone projects. The primary areas of contrast are: 1) project sourcing, 2) type, 3)interim feedback and evaluation, 4) final assessment, and 5) supplemental resources. Theapproaches used in each area have advantages and disadvantages that necessitate trade-offs andcareful management.It is anticipated that capstones will continue to evolve with the most likely areas of improvementbeing: 1) better preparation embedded into the curriculum prior to the capstone, 2) increased useof external judging panels, 3) integration of additional project management techniques, 4) greaterfocus on societal and ethical responsibilities, 5) use of web-based

Conference Session

Curricular Issues in Computer-Oriented Programs

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thomas Hacker, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Krishna Madhavan, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Information Systems

) establish an interdisciplinary curriculum that provides world-class training in HPC systems at both the architectural and utilization level, and (2) utilizing the computational and information capabilities of HPC to support discovery research and development in Figure 1. The CIT High Performance bioinformatics, computer graphics, information security,Computing and Cyberinfrastructure Research nanotechnology, product design and manufacturing, Laboratory (HPC-CRL). computer science, physics, and Science, Technology

Conference Session

Innovation in Laboratory Studies and Outreach Programs

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Gumaer, Central Washington University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

Teaching Microcontroller Applications Using Laptop ComputersAbstractThis paper presents an inexpensive technique of teaching an introductory microcontrollerapplications course to technology students in a laptop-based curriculum. The focus of the courseis learning to apply microcontrollers in various control applications. Related topics covered inthe course include assembly language programming and computer architecture. Students in thecourse are each equipped with a laptop computer. The microcontroller platform used in thiscourse is the Microchip PICKit1 development board. This development board features 8- and 14-pin microcontrollers with a 35 word instruction set. This is an ideal platform because the deviceshave enough resources to develop

Conference Session

Methods and Techniques in Graduate Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bimal Nepal, Texas A&M University; Paul Lin, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

AC 2009-1468: MANAGING COURSE OFFERING RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS INNEWER GRADUATE PROGRAMS THROUGH SPECIAL TOPICS COURSESBimal Nepal, Texas A&M UniversityPaul Lin, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne Page 14.858.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Managing course offering resource constraints in newer graduate programs through special topics coursesIntroductionMost new graduate programs face many challenges including lower initial enrollments, limitededucational resources such as laboratory equipment, faculty lines, and under developed or“work-in-process” curriculum. While the institution has its resource constraints, the studentsmay

Conference Session

Trends in Construction Engineering Education II

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Enno Koehn, Lamar University; Devang Patel, Lamar University; Santosh Khonde, Lamar University

Tagged Divisions

Construction

Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Introduction of Sustainability to Civil/ Construction Engineering StudentsAbstract:Recently, numerous civil engineering articles involve the concept of going green and sustainabledevelopment. Various papers related to sustainable development have been written but few relateto how civil engineering students can apply these innovations in their academic curriculum andassist them in discovering green technologies and their applications during a professional career.This paper is an effort to highlight the importance of knowledge regarding sustainability in theacademic curriculum. Education now-a-days is not just about knowing conventionaltechnologies, but also to

Conference Session

Modeling Student Data

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark Urban-Lurain, Michigan State University; Jon Sticklen, Michigan State University; Daina Briedis, Michigan State University; Neeraj Buch, Michigan State University; Thomas Wolff, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

. Briedis has been involved in several areas of education research including student retention, curriculum redesign, and the use of technology in the classroom. She is a co- PI on two NSF grants in the areas of integration of computation in engineering curricula and in developing comprehensive strategies to retain early engineering students. She is active nationally and internationally in engineering accreditation and is a Fellow of ABET.Neeraj Buch, Michigan State University Dr. Neeraj Buch is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University. He is also the Director of Cornerstone Engineering and Residential Experience program at

Conference Session

Our Future in Manufacturing: STEM Outreach

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Terence Fagan, Central Piedmont Community College

Tagged Divisions

Manufacturing

. In addition, states, noticing the decline of students inthe engineering field, are beginning to address the concern for K-12 engineering education. Oneparticular example of this undertaking includes the state of New Jersey’s efforts in curriculumdevelopment and professional development for teachers as a reward for introducing engineeringto K-12 students. The Stevens’ Institute of Technology focuses their efforts on "Core Page 14.10.2Curriculum Content Standards to ensure that all students, elementary through high school,experience engineering as an integral component of their education, not merely as an electivecourse or extracurricular

Conference Session

Aerospace Workspace: Current and Future 1

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Anderson, Oregon Institute of Technology; Sergey Dubikovsky, Purdue University; Ronald Way, El Camino College; Bradley Harriger, Purdue University; Buford Pringle, Butler Community College; Scott Schaffer, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Aerospace

produced by a limited number of manufacturers worldwide. Therefore the production ofthese highly sophisticated systems and their specific application to airframes and aerospacesystems requires a unique skill set that is not inherent within the current training and/oreducational programs, courses or classes. The value of a technologist who is trained in thespecifics of the unique manufacturing methods resident in aerospace products is distinct andidentifiable and therefore capable of being taught as a specialized and defined curriculum wherethe outcome would benefit all areas of aerospace including space systems, and unmanned andmanned vehicles. Such education and training would produce an individual who would add greatvalue to the industrial base

Conference Session

Best Practices in K-12 Engineering Panel

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stacy Klein-Gardner; Michele Dischino; Manjit Khosla, HALS Academy; Patrick Foster, Central Connecticut State University; Carol Shields, Stevens Institute of Technology; Dan Fagan, Wallace Primary School; Martha Cyr, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; John Staley, Doherty Memorial High School

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

, and mathematics (STEM) faculty at institutions of highereducation is a requirement of all MSP grants. The PISA program presents a novel approach toaccomplishing MSP goals by integrating the use of exemplary, research-based elementaryengineering curricula, engineering explorations and problem-based activities to strengthenteachers’ science learning. An intensive summer institute, followed by in-class mentoring andcoaching support, and online help, represent key program components.Partnership GoalsThe overarching aim of the three-year PISA program is to: (a) demonstrate and institutionalizewithin participating schools a methodology, supporting curriculum materials, and otherinstructional resources and strategies to increase student interest

Conference Session

Research and Education in Radiation and Radiologic

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sheldon Landsberger, University of Texas, Austin; Ofodike Ezekoye, University of Texas, Austin; David Hearnsberger, University of Texas, Austin; Rose Stiffin, Florida Memorial University; Michael Elliott, Florida Memorial University; Dimitri Tamalis, Florida Memorial University; Carlos Handy, Texas Southern University; Elena Stefanova, Texas Southern University; Muchere Russ, Huston-Tilliston

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

recruit larger numbers of competitivestudents. Thus far, the few students in our program are being supported through monies from theNational Science Foundation Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP).Another grant awarded to the Biology department through a NASA-URI Center (focusing onradiation sciences, etc.) may also allow a combining of the requested resources.The new Health Physics (HP) curriculum is very demanding, and delivered at an “honors level”.It places special emphasis on environmental radiation protection. The program is acomprehensive curriculum (nearly graduate level) and combines fundamental nuclear physicseducation with very practical skills that include courses like basic concepts of atomic andradiation physics

Conference Session

Project-Based Learning in ECE Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ed Doering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Sam Shearman, National Instruments

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Page 14.341.2explain fundamental concepts. The importance of a mathematical framework cannot be denied,and yet mathematics alone often does not foster an intuitive understanding of these fundamentalconcepts.Hands-on laboratory projects help students to make connections between theory and practice.Hardware-based projects often require a substantial amount of setup time and debugging effort,and therefore can only explore a relatively small subset of the course topics. Computer-basedsimulation and visualization of communication systems, on the other hand, allow students toexperience a wider variety of fundamental concepts in the same amount of time, provided thatthe computer tools offer a sufficiently high level of abstraction. Since modern

Conference Session

Thinking, Reasoning, and Engineering in Elementary School

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michele Strutz, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

education for students in the U.S. isparamount26. Students need to be taught the principles of engineering and be given positiveexperiences that may encourage them to pursue an engineering career5. Engineering educationneeds to begin in elementary school while student interest in mathematics and science is stillhigh. About 80% of fourth graders report positive attitudes toward mathematics and sciencecompared to an estimated 33% of eighth graders who report positive attitudes towardmathematics and science21. Integrating engineering concepts, practicing related skills, andexploring associated careers in the elementary and middle school classrooms may increase thenumber of students who pursue engineering.Influences in the Pursuit of EngineeringBesides

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carol Haden, Magnolia Consulting; Paul Flikkema, Northern Arizona University; Tom Weller, University of South Florida; Jeff Frolik, University of Vermont; Wendy Verrei-Berenback, University of Vermont; Wayne Shiroma, University of Hawaii, Manoa

, Charlottesville, VA 2 Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 3 University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 4 University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 5 University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HIABSTRACT – In Fall 2007, a coalition of four universities was awarded an NSF CCLI grant tosupport the development of a curriculum with the goal of cultivating systems thinking in students.Systems thinking, as defined in this project, is the ability to envision architectures of complex-engineered systems and the principles that underlie them. The

Conference Session

ERM Potpourri

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ming-Chien Hsu, Purdue University; Monica Cardella, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

from a local company. The frameworkof mathematical thinking that guided this study as we investigated how these students engagedin mathematical thinking while they designed. We found that two aspects of mathematicalthinking were most often used when the students were dealing with uncertainty in their design:problem solving strategies and the use of social resources. These findings have the potential toinfluence how engineering educators integrate engineering science and real-world designtasks.IntroductionThere have been debates among the engineering education community on how and how muchmathematics should be taught to engineering students. The debates arise because studies likethe one done by Underwood show that mathematics used in people’s

Conference Session

The Role of Engineering in Public Policy

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bruce Harding, Purdue University; Paul McPherson, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering and Public Policy

professionaldevelopment, as well as helping establish valuable contacts with industry and standards leaders,both nationally and internationally.IntroductionStandards have been an integral part of United States public policy since long before the terms‘public policy’ or even ‘standard’ were coined. In the early 18th Century, John Quincy Adamswrote about ‘standard’ weights and measures: “ Weights and measures may be ranked among the necessaries of life to every individual of human society. They enter into the economical arrangements and daily concerns of every family. They are necessary to every occupation of human industry; to the distribution and security of every species of property; to every transaction of trade and commerce; to the labors of

Conference Session

Project-Based Learning in ECE Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stuart Wentworth, Auburn University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Level Electrical Engineering Core LaboratoryBackgroundThe junior level core laboratories at our university are not tied to specific technical areas orclasses. Instead, the junior labs are designed to be multi-disciplinary, integrating conceptsthroughout electrical engineering. Such an approach has a number of advantages1-4, one beingthat students can more readily appreciate the interrelation between electrical engineering subdisciplines. In addition to the technical content, the core laboratories also develop our students’teaming and communications skills (both oral and written). Laboratory course structurethroughout the junior year consists of a Monday lecture, followed by a 2-hour lab period later inthe week.For over a

Conference Session

DELOS Best Paper Nominations

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Guido Lopez, Old Dominion University; Anthony Seaber, Old Dominion University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

.: Integration of theory and practice at real-life race track facilities, and racecar competitions.INTRODUCTIONMotorsports Engineering is an innovative field of education that focuses on highperformance ground-vehicles, and motorcar racing. Car racing is commonly viewed bythe public as entertainment. In reality, motorsports is an intensely complex field thatrequires a significant level of engineering and high-end technology in order to achieve aclear objective: defeat the competition and win the race. 3,7,9,11Winning in motorsports brings considerable financial and technologic benefits topromoters, sponsors and automakers. As a result, motorsports has established itself as oneof the most rapidly-growing industries in the US and worldwide

Conference Session

Educational Research

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

B. Kyun Lee, LeTourneau University; Paul Leiffer, LeTouneau University; R. William Graff, LeTourneau University; Vicki Sheafer, LeTourneau Iniversity

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

proof on a board, is often critical in understanding new technical material.As Chandler and Sweller explained, “Cognitive load theory suggests that effective instructionalmaterial facilitates learning by directing cognitive resources toward activities that are relevant tolearning rather than toward preliminaries to learning. One example of ineffective instructionoccurs if learners unnecessarily are required to mentally integrate disparate sources of mutuallyreferring information such as separate text and diagrams. Such split-source information maygenerate a heavy cognitive load, because material must be mentally integrated before learningcan commence.”2In an effort to improve the cognitive load issue, one of the authors has begun

Conference Session

New Trends in CHE Education II

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

J.Patrick Abulencia, Manhattan College

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

was used as the primary component for theBRIDGE program, which offers an opportunity to ease the transition of incoming freshmen intocollege life. In addition to this role, online social networking tools have other potential uses for aChemical Engineering department. First, they can be used as a mechanism to disseminateinformation quickly. Creating a central communications location allows easy announcement ofdepartment events or collection of feedback surveys. Another possibility is to use it as adiscussion forum for their Chemical Engineering courses. Since classes can be gathered togetherinto one group, exchanges on concepts or assigned problems can occur among the members (i.e.students and faculty of the course). Finally, online

Conference Session

International Initiatives, Partnerships, Teaching Strategies & Collaborative Networks (IUCEE, IFEES, LACCEI.... )

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ivan Esparragoza, Pennsylvania State University; Maria M. Larrondo Petrie, Florida Atlantic University

Tagged Divisions

International

administration to move from Level 1 toLevel 3 is easy and organizes their efforts into activities that help them progress in an orderlymanner through the maturity levels. The assessment that places them at a particular level is aself-assessment that does not require translation of documents nor justifying their traditions toforeign entities that are not familiar with their systems and language. Finding peer institutions inother countries going through the same process is simple and confidential going thru LACCEIwith the common language of the five levels.There is a LACCEI research group that is working on building more detail for the LACCEI EE-CMM Model and integrating it to the Iberoamerican Science Technology and EducationConsortium (ISTEC

Conference Session

Faculty and Program Exchanges: Internationalizing, Collaborations and Interactions

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Imre Rudas, Budapest Polytechnical Institution; Peter Toth, Budapest Tech.

Tagged Divisions

International

Vocational Teacher Educationproject aims to develop the use and management of virtual learning environments in the area ofvocational teacher training, drawing on a well established international partnership of institutionsproviding both technical and educational expertise. This paper gives an overall picture of resultsand products of the collaboration. We touch upon the aims, the assessments and the learningprocess of using “Multimedia and e-Learning: e-learning methods and tools” module in detail.The main cooperative and collaborative devices are presented in virtual learning environment.The communication during collaborative learning, the structured debate on forum and theefficiency of collaborative learning in VLE are interpreted at the end of

Conference Session

Graduate Student Experiences

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jin-Hwan Lee, Georgia Institute of Technology; Carla Purdy, University of Cincinnati; Ian Papautsky, University of Cincinnati

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

realize that mentoring can be extremely rewarding. The challenge of being a teacheris to explain concepts as clearly, precisely, and simply as possible.I had a chance to give a talk entitled “Integrated Multi-Analyte Microelectrode Sensors for InSitu Biological Applications” at the ECE Department seminar and to discuss my research withgraduate students. As an international student, I found that the teaching mentor’s feedback andrepeat-practice improved my English skills and self confidence for presentation and discussion.These mentored teaching activities were completed over the course of two years. Since I joinedthe PFF program after successfully defending my Ph.D. proposal and being admitted intocandidacy in my third year of graduate studies

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Radian Belu, Drexel University; Alexandru Belu, Case Western Reserve University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

potentials with given boundaries conditions, dielectrics andpolarization.Figure 1: The straight filamentary conductor with the finite length crossed by the electric current (leftpanel), 3D image the magnetic field in the case of the straight filamentary conductor with the finitelength (right panel).The fundamental concern of electromagnetism is to solve Maxwell’s equations, and much of the courseon this subject is devoted to vector calculus. To calculate an electric field and/or a magnetic field, wecan perform integration directly from Coulomb’s law and Biot-Savart Law, using the functions of theCAS mathematical library. For example with Maple, we can concentrate on physics, such asdistinguishing the coordinates of the source point and the field

Conference Session

Innovation in Construction Engineering Education I

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daphene Koch, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Construction

mechanical curriculum. There have also been comments from students inthe required course evaluations that there is a disconnect from the lecture and the lab. The beliefof the instructor is that the students are not making the connections from the written text to thehands on activities. One example is a diagram of a water closet carrier that was labeled as part ofan in class assignment in lecture, Figure 2. Figure 2: Water Closet Carrier and Fitting 2Upon testing the students about this diagram on an exam, many failed to identify the parts. Thesame exercise was done with a valve shown in Figure 3, but the valve was also viewed in lab andthe students were given the opportunity to look inside the valve and each one

Collection

2009 Pacific Southwest Section Meeting

Authors

Jesa H. Kreiner; Peter W. Othmer; Timothy W. Lancey

experience at California State University, Fullerton has as itsgoal to provide this experience2. The theme of the experience is set jointly by the studentsand faculty during the beginning of the first class. Interests of the students are explored andevaluated and ideas for projects requested. Subsequently, additional ideas are brought forconsideration by the teaching faculty. Usually, these are projects obtained from localindustry or from different parts of the University. The discussions about which projects toselect are an integral part of the course as the financing of the projects with respect to theability of the department to fund these is of course quite limited. The current financialcircumstances in the university and the inability of the

Conference Session

Engineering Education in Africa, Asia and the Mid-East Region

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Waddah Akili, Iowa State University

Tagged Divisions

International

solely totraditional classroom environment. Therefore students need to be prepared by exposing them toinformal cooperative learning, where students are to work together to achieve a joint learninggoal in temporary, ad-hoc groups that may last from a few minutes to one class period (32).Informal cooperative learning groups also ensure that misconceptions, incorrect understanding,and gaps in understanding are identified and corrected.. Using procedures such as informalcooperative learning guarantees that students have been exposed to some active and interactivemethods prior to engaging in PBL.B. Infusing PBL in the Curriculum: There are several strategies that may be utilized to infusePBL in an engineering curriculum. The selected strategy depends

Conference Session

Liberal Education and Leadership

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Julia Williams, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Richard House, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Anneliese Watt, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Liberal Education

engineering faculty’s communication pedagogy in theengineering classroom. We have surveyed engineering faculty at a variety of institutions todetermine to what degree they incorporate communication into their technical classes. Theproject included the development of an electronic survey instrument that collected responsesfrom engineering faculty at programs and departments in the United States. In addition to thesurvey results, we conducted focus groups with small groups of faculty, both at our institutionand at the site of the 2008 Frontiers in Education Conference, in order to dig deeper into the datacollected. The conclusions we draw from analysis of the survey and focus group results indicatethat engineering faculty have incorporated

Conference Session

Exploring Technological Literacy and Awareness

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Farzin Heidari, Texas A&M University, Kingsville

Tagged Divisions

Two Year College Division

, identifying each attribute and itscharacteristics, and identifying the excellent and poor quality work using narrative descriptivecriteria. Holistic rubrics and analytical rubrics are both used to measures students understandingof course content. Holistic rubrics provide a choice to state the highest and lowest levels ofperformance combining the descriptors for all attributes and analytical rubrics state the highestand lowest levels of performance using the descriptions for each attribute separately. The use ofrubrics allows the instructor to provide quality feed back to the student along with providingevaluation and reflection opportunities for an instructor as well. The use of rubrics in a technicalprogram will provide accountability and evaluation

Conference Session

Starting the Last Day with New Ideas

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Natarajan Gautam, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Industrial Engineering

where it is debatable whether the technology boosts or hindersunderstanding. One question we get often in this day and age is whether the book is required or ifthe students can just read it on-line. There are pros and cons to this. The greatest benefits of on-line texts are cost and accessibility. However from the standpoint of time (speed to recovernecessary information) and convenience of browsing through a hard copy it is unclear if an on-line textbook is the way to go.Another question that instructors get asked often is if graphing calculators are permitted in thecourse. The benefit of using these calculators is not only in drawing graphs of complex functionsbut also being able to perform numerical integration (area under the curve) among