Collection

2008 Pacific Southwest Section Meeting

Authors

Richard Theis; patricia watkins; Angela Beck

Theis and Beck 1 THE PEDAGOGIES OF SUSTAINABILITY AND THE IDEOLOGIES OF ENGINEERING FACULTY: INTERSECTIONS Richard Theis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Humanities/Communications Patricia Watkins, Instruction Librarian Angela Beck, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Humanities/Communications Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 3700 Willow Creek Rd Prescott, AZ, 86301 (928) 777-3928 theis41a@erau.edu or Richard.Theis@erau.edu Although teaching

Collection

2008 Pacific Southwest Section Meeting

Authors

Christos Valiotis

instructional strategies have been developed for the teaching of problem solvingin physics. Among them are: 1. Cooperative group problem solving using Context Rich Problems [CRP]4. Proceedings of the 2008 American Society for Engineering Education Pacific Southwest Annual Conference Copyright © 2008, American Society for Engineering Education 2. Qualitative strategy writing- where students explain how they would solve the problem before attempting mathematical manipulations5. 3. Modeling instruction- where students discuss problems before solving them and resolved conflicting ideas while attempting the solutions6. The purpose of this research study is to explore

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Michael C. Reynolds

, all three factors will be formulated into anoptimization problem that will lead to the appropriate weightings that will maximize the numberof selected students that retain.Student retention for each measureRetention rates for high school GPA, math ACT and composite ACT are shown in Table 1. Eachmeasure is broken into quartiles and the absolute scores of each range are given in the plots. Thehigh school GPA and Math ACT retention rates seem to follow a similar pattern through eachquartile. The high school GPA has the largest range, with the 1st quartile having a retention rateof 65.7 percent and the 4th quartile having only a 21.2 percent retention rate. A larger differencebetween each quartile suggests that high school GPA may be the best

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Thomas W. Cairns

analysis. The Mathematica code used is provided in an appendix. No attempt has been made toassess the efficacy of this approach in the calculus classroom.IntroductionTerminal velocity problems have long been popular with instructors in calculus and differential equations.1 Theycan be posed in their full aerodynamic complexity or simplified in a variety of ways that meet the needs of themoment and exemplify the mathematical ideas that are being studied. They are inherently one-dimensional and socan be posed that way with no loss of generality.The idea is that an object is dropped from a high altitude, accelerated by gravity and this acceleration is opposed byan aerodynamic force called drag. Later we'll be specific by making the object a volleyball

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

James A. Ejiwale

% Supervisor’s final evaluation: 30% Final Report 25% 100%The Daily Journal Activities (DJA) consists of: 1. List of the activities participated on aparticular day; 2. Identification and description of special learning experiences; 3. Identificationof specific links to student’s academic instruction; and 4. the questions or concerns that emergedduring the service learning experience and how they were solved or planned to be solved. TheDJA will be graded by the course instructor.The Weekly presentation (WP) consists of the list of specific

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Shaibal Mukherjee; Pallabi Mukherjee

comparativestudy are obtained from the public domain database, ASEE web site19. The analysis is conductedunder two major categories: (1) total distribution of ARE for selected engineering programs, and(2) overall ARE for the college. In spite of increased competition, overall the selected Big 12universities have done fairly well in terms of annual research expenditures.II. Total Research Expenditures DynamicsThe distribution of annual research expenditures (ARE) for the past seven years (2001 to 2007)for the selected schools is shown in Fig. 1. In terms of overall annual research expenditures, UTled the group, followed by UC. Following a decline in 2002 (the expenditures in 2002 was $24.7million), UC maintained a fairly constant annual research

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

W. Roy Penney; Kendal J. Brown; Joel D. Vincent; Edgar C. Clausen

principles.Conceptual Heat Transfer BackgroundAll matter emits a characteristic amount of electromagnetic radiation. When this radiation isabsorbed by another object, the thermal state of the object is changed and radiation heat transfertakes place. The radiation heat transfer between two objects is proportional to the difference intheir temperatures raised to the fourth power, given by the Stefan-Boltzmann law21: ) (1)When an object is exposed to a radiation flux such as solar radiation, only a certain amount ofthe incident radiation is absorbed by the surface of the object, α: (2

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

James A. Ejiwale

associated with one individual or shared by severalindividuals as its locus changes over time. Most important is to equip graduates of our programswith the knowledge of effective communication skills to enhance a successful e-leadership invirtual work environment. However, an important component that will make such leadershipwork is trust.E-leadership and trust-building in virtual teamsLeading a geographically dispersed workforce from an e-leadership perspective may pose 1several unique challenges if the virtual workforce has no trust in the e-leadership (Avolio et al., 1

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Jerry McCoy; Scott Holmstrom; Parameswar Hari

students did not matriculate in physics, the probabilityof their enrolling in another of our college’s science and engineering departments was enhanced.On several occasions, our admissions office has made use of our mailing list to augment its ownrecruiting efforts. Though we have not kept records over the years of attendees whosubsequently enrolled at TU, our admissions office has frequently commented on the significantcontribution to recruiting the Journal Club makes. Figure 1. An Early Journal Club MeetingWe also saw value in inviting our department alumni to the meetings. Even if our graduateswent on to careers in other fields, they often retained a keen interest in physics that was whettedby the monthly meetings

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Dan Cernusca; Douglas R. Carroll

substitute more homework problems from the book in place ofthe MecMovies assignments. The second one, attendance behavior was a self- reportedbehavioral measure that was calculated as the weighted sum of students’ self-reportedpercentages of use of each of the three modes of lecture: face-to-face, Webex live, and Webextaped (or archived). The students were asked to choose percentages for the three modes thattotaled 100%. In analyzing the data for attendance behavior, the weights were 5 for face-to- facesince it requires both time and space commitment to participate, 3 for Webex live as it requiresonly time commitment to participate, and 1 for Webex taped as it requires no time or spacecommitment to participate. The result was a continuous variable

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Christi L. Patton

were used in the design project and allowed opportunities for discussion within smallergroups of students. The remainder of this paper will focus on the self-paced portion of thecourse.All TU students have access to Vista. Most teachers use this as a repository of handouts andcourse supplements, or to post grades throughout the semester. However, it has many additionalcapabilities and is designed to manage entire online courses or as a supplement to moretraditional courses. For ChE 1013, the instructor created 26 modules incorporating (1)videotaped lessons, (2) links to supplemental online materials, (3) online quizzes, and (4)homework assignments. Each lesson had a due date. After the due date, students couldcomplete the work with a 2% per

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Peter LoPresti; Theodore W. Manikas; Jeff Kohlbeck

teach about the engineering profession and the field of electricalengineering. Activities included laboratories in electrical circuits, designing an electric car,soldering, a field trip, and discussion about ethics. Students worked in two and four-personteams, and made presentations on their experiences.The academy was evaluated using formal assessment instruments and faculty observations. Eachof the individual activities attained an overall rating of at least 4 on a scale of 1 to 5, with mostactivities rated at 4.5 or greater. A formal evaluation of the entire academy revealed ratings of4.5 or greater out of 5 on most aspects of the academy, though some areas indicated a need forimprovement, such as clarity of written materials and the

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

E. Carl Greco; Jim D. Reasoner; Ronald E. Nelson

composed of the following problems: 1. Measurement of the current and voltage at various points in a resistor network. 2. Measurement of the gain of an op-amp, non-inverting amplifier. 3. Measurement of the resonant frequency and bandwidth of an RLC filter. 4. Capturing the input and output waveforms of a half-wave rectifier and measurement of the input and output Vrms.Grades on the Electric Circuits Laboratory final exam for the 30 students are shown in Figure 1. Electric Circuits Lab Final Exam Grades 100 90 80 70 Exam Grade 60 50

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

J. Moore; M.A. Thornton; R.W. Skeith

is provided in Table 1. Table 1: Summary of Design ExperimentsExperiment Title Concept Description Number Tool Installation and1 Tutorial Vendor Supplied Tutorial Use A 1-bit register is designed and Introduction to Design Entry and2 used as a building block for a 4- Schematic Capture Simulation bit register

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Chih-Hao Wu; Kim Troboy; Tracy Cole; Loretta Cochran; David Roach

also seems to besome evidence that professionals are skeptical about the effectiveness of business ethicseducation4. The Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) requires that anyengineering school trying to acquire or maintain the engineering accreditation must meet thefollowing condition: “engineering programs must demonstrate that their graduates have anunderstanding of professional and ethical responsibility”5 (p. 4). This requirement is clearlystated in the outcomes and assessment criteria. The stated ATU Electrical Engineering ProgramObjectives indicate that engineers who graduate from Arkansas Tech University with a BSEEdegree will be: 1. “Intellectuals - with a commitment to ethics (emphasis added), social

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Parameswar Hari

Developing Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills in Physics and Engineering Physics Courses Parameswar Hari Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, The University of Tulsa, 800 S. Tucker Dr., Tulsa, OK 74104AbstractPhysics instruction at the university level is conducted through lectures, demonstrations,discussions, and problem solving recitation sessions. Students are tested and evaluated for theirmastery of physical concepts through carefully designed problems in almost all physics courses.Unfortunately, several studies 1-3 show that traditional methods of problem solving may not bethe best approach for developing problem

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Theodore W. Manikas; Kaveh Ashenayi

. Anexample is undergraduate engineering intern programs, which provide practical experience anddevelopmental maturity for the participating students 1. The exposure to a practical engineeringenvironment teaches students how to apply their theoretical coursework background to actualproduct development. Also, students learn about the interaction of engineering design withcorporate concerns such as project managements, finance, and manufacturing.Employers are more likely to hire engineering students that have some experience and haveacquired a basic knowledge of their specific industry. In additional, the internship experiencewill increase students' confidence in their engineering abilities, which will increase the likelihoodof the students' success in

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Shirley Pomeranz

. 2Model problemThe model problem is to solve the Dirichlet problem for Laplace’s equation on a square:∂ 2u ∂ 2u + = 0, in domain Ω = {( x, y ) | 0 < x < 1, 0 < y < 1},∂x 2 ∂y 2u = u0 , on boundary ∂Ω = {( x, y ) | 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 , y = 0 and y = 1; 0 ≤ y ≤ 1 , x = 0 and x = 1},where u 0 is a given sufficiently smooth function. We will use the boundary element method.Richardson extrapolationThe object of Richardson extrapolation is to find a computationally inexpensive way to combinepreviously computed lower-order (less accurate) numerical results in a way that producesformulas with higher-order (more accurate) numerical results1. It is stated that the method isextremely useful when there is a reliable estimate of the form of

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Ryan Eckl; Christopher Johnson; Shawn Shields; Brad Cullipher; Wayne Helmer

filters manifolds, carburetors, throttle bodies,exhausts manifolds, pipe fittings, valves, etc.[1] A flow-bench can also be used for the study ofmany other types of fluid mechanics problems; therefore a flow-bench can be a valuable teachingtool in engineering education.Engine builders for racing or automobile manufacturers often try to analyze engine parts tooptimize engine performance. From the fuel delivery process through the exhaust process, thevarious engine components can be analyzed through the use of a flow-bench.[2]. For examplewhen a cylinder head is flow-tested in a flow-bench the amount of valve opening, port geometry,valve configuration, etc. can be varied and studied to optimize flow performance. A typicalresults on a flow-test is

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

R. Asmatulu; W. Khan; M.B. Yildirim

CNT Reinforced Nanocomposite Fiber Fabrication for Undergraduate Students 1 Asmatulu, R., 1Khan, W., and 2Yildirim, M.B. 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0133 2 Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering 1845 N. Fairmount, Wichita, KS, 67260-0035AbatractThe research, development and teaching of nanofiber fabrication and characterization haverecently gained much attention due to their unique properties and potential applications invarious

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Chang-Soo Kim; Steve E. Watkins

Graduate-level hands-on laboratory practices of microdevices for microoptic and biosensor applications Chang-Soo Kim 1,2, Steve E. Watkins 1 Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering 1 Department of Biological Sciences 2 Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USAAbstractWe present our experience in graduate-level, small enrollment size, hands-on laboratoryinstruction of microoptic and biosensor microdevices. Inherently, instructing the twomicrodevices types can be largely benefited by linking with microfabrication laboratory practicesto design, fabricate and characterize these devices in class. Based

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Rebeca G. Book

of these incentives are:1. Future employees:It is a symbiotic relationship between academia and industry that is needed and provided throughthe advisory council. Academia needs to provide jobs for its students and industry needsworkers. By helping assess the program and curriculum at the university, providing input andassets, the industry helps to assure that it will acquire good workers. By attending the councilmeetings and having a presence, the industry building relationships with possible futureemployees.2. Future customers:If industrial representatives attend the advisory council meetings then there is the possibility ofname recognition for when the students graduate. If the company goes on to even donate or lendequipment, material or

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

C. Baukal; W. Bussman

type of equipment until they have had sufficient training. Thechallenge is to give them adequate training before they work with the real equipment.Process heaters (see Figure 1) are used in the chemical and refining industries to heathydrocarbon fluids flowing through tubes inside the radiant and convection sections. Theseheaters are designed to increase the fluid temperature for further processing in some type ofdownstream reactor. Most plants have numerous heaters in a variety of configurations operatingunder a variety of conditions. The basic job of the operator is to make sure the heaters safelyelevate the process fluid temperature to the target level, while maximizing thermal efficiency andminimizing pollution emissions. The main

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Timothy J. Annesley; David P. Miller

Review of a Robotics Lab for Engineering Undergraduates Timothy J. Annesley and David P. Miller School of AME, University of OklahomaAbstractThis paper describes an upper division robotics lab course taught at the University of Oklahomain the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. While targeted to AE and ME majors,this course has some participation of CS, CEIE and EE majors. The paper describes the structure,content and learning objectives of the course. Assessment results based on tests and studentsurveys are also presented.1 Overview of the OU AME Robotics Lab Course: AME 4802The school of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Ramazan Asmatulu; Heath E. Misak; Bailey Cooper; Waseem Khan

of a magnetic field. Students find the interactive spiking of theferro-fluid, caused by a magnetic field that is placed near the ferro-fluid, fascinating. Nano-composites are produced by adding different percentages of magnetic nano-particles to epoxy, thenobserving agglomeration and magnetic attraction. In the drug delivery lab, poly (lactide-co-glycolide) acid (PLGA) nano-particles are fabricated that can be used in drug delivery and focus isplaced on the potential benefit of nano-technology in medicine. Electroplating and spin-coating arefrequently used methods to produce nano-coatings in both labs, these methods are performed andthe benefits of both are taught. [1] An atomic force microscope (AFM) can be used to image thesurface of

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Lawrence Whitman; Zulma Toro-Ramos; Dan Allison; Colin Davidson; Martha Shawver; Shelly Belles; Chris Wilkinson

motivation for the Spirit GlobalDesign Challenge, its linkage to ABET outcomes, defines global learning andhow it integrates into the Engineer of 2020 program, and provides implementationand initial assessment plans. I. Introduction and MotivationIndustry has made clear the need to graduate engineers with more than justtechnical skills. A key component for today’s graduate is the ability to thrive in aglobally collaborative workplace. Engineers must work with global colleaguesboth in face-to-face and computer mediated environments. Efforts to assessvirtual team projects have been performed [1]. This paper describes the SpiritAeroSystems Global Design Challenge (SGDC) which is an effort to integratedesign and global communication. The effort

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

R. Asmatulu; H. Misak; W. Khan

” inthe Department of Mechanical Engineering at Wichita State University (WSU), and taught inSpring 2008. The lectures focus on basic characterization and separation techniques of recyclablematerials, recycled products, environmental concerns, as well as potential commercialapplications. Throughout the lectures, students are expected to gain an understanding ofrecycling concepts and processing techniques.1. INTRODUCTIONRecycling is a series of activities consisting of collecting recyclable materials and devices of anykind, which would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing into raw materials,such as ferrous and nonferrous metals and alloys, plastics, glasses, ceramics, composites, woods,concretes, asphalts, chemicals and papers [1

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Anne A. Fischer

then lead to improvements in the current method or to thedevelopment of new ones. It is important to note that a benchmark test problem is one thatinvolves a moderate level of rigor while still having a known solution. In this way, the amountof error involved in each methodology can be established and compared to the othercomputational models.In keeping with these requirements, the research for this educational process was conducted bysolving a nontrivial elliptic boundary value problem with Dirichlet boundary conditions on allboundaries. The Laplace equation ∂ 2u ∂ 2u + =0 ∂x 2 ∂y 2over a square domain of 0 < x < 1 and 0 < y < 1 was solvedusing the following boundary

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Dominic M. Halsmer

captures this drama. We must embark on a cultural shift that places science in its rightfulplace alongside music, art and literature as an indispensable part of what makes life worth 2living.” 1 As a whole, American youth enjoy a level of prosperity and comfort that isconsiderably higher than nearly all the rest of the world. Is it possible that they are already socomfortable that they would rather not put forth the effort needed for the successful completionof a degree in science or engineering? Perhaps worldview considerations might provideadditional and more effective motivation for such endeavors.Everyone has a worldview, which typically

Collection

2008 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Shannon G. Davis; Bryan W. Hill; Carol S. Gattis; Bradley M. Dearing; Edgar C. Clausen

UASPP: Helping Middle School Teachers Devise Their Own Hands-on Engineering and Science Activities Shannon G. Davis1, Bryan W. Hill1, Carol S. Gattis1, Bradley M. Dearing3 and Edgar C. Clausen2 College of Engineering /Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering2 1 University of Arkansas Technology Department3, Illinois State University High SchoolAbstractThe University of Arkansas Science Partnership Program (UASPP) focuses on the professionalgrowth of 6th, 7th and 8th grade science teachers through summer institutes and follow-upactivities. Teachers are teamed with