Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Interactive Web Based Animation Software: An Efficient Way to Increase the Engineering Student’s Fundamental Understanding of Particle Kinematics and KineticsAbstractAnimation software for an introductory Dynamics course has been developed, which may be asupplement to the proposed text: Riley, Sturges, Stanley “Dynamics”, 3rd Edition (Wiley andSons, Inc. New York). This interactive software is unique because each animation is directlylinked to a homework problem and no programming is required of the user. The animations areweb-based (hard-coded in Adobe Flash Action Script), so no external computer programs areneeded.The software was piloted in two sections of Dynamics during the fall term of 2007, where it

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Anthony Manno; Kamal Shahrabi

of databases The perspective changes according to the user Very large database environments: Data marts, warehouses, miningProjects:Various ideas for projects have been tried. The least effective have been writing a paperon something that the instructor says. It is just another boring paper to write. Moreinteresting projects are hands-on. These projects have to do with grouping studentstogether to investigate a technological aspect of their major.Another type of project has been where students were split up into different groups andthey have to debate a subject where they need to learn about some technology. Studentsin different sections have also been brought together so that they can interact with eachother on a

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Eileen M. Kowalski; Joe D. Manous

Cognitive Learning in Introductory College Science EducationEileen M. Kowalski, Department of Chemistry and Life Science, and Joe D. Manous, Jr.,Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, United States MilitaryAcademyAbstract This research seeks to categorize dominant areas of cognitive learning weakness and strength withintraditional college-level, introductory science education. The basis of any undergraduate STEMeducation is an understanding of fundamental concepts and how these concepts describe or predictphysical phenomena. However, the apparent retention and understanding of basic concepts is sometimesminimal as expressed by student work during subsequent courses. Potential causes for this difficulty in

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Arthur Heinricher; Brian Savilonis; David Spanagel; Robert Traver; Kristin Wobbe

-year offerings defined by problems not disciplines.They do not start with a list of topics to cover. They are interdisciplinary, not multidisciplinary.They are not designed to provide a survey of fundamental engineering concepts or an overview ofhow science and engineering disciplines could address real problems. They start with greatproblems and the students learn that there is no single solution, that no one discipline could1 Associate Dean for First-year Programs, heinrich@wpi.edu2 Mechanical Engineering Department, bjs@wpi.edu3 Humanities and Arts Department, spanagel@wpi.edu4 Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI, rtraver@wpi.edu5 Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, WPI, kwobbe@wpi.edu

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Richard B. Mindek

Development of a Programmable Logic Controller Experiential Learning Platform Richard B. Mindek, Jr. Western New England College, Springfield MassachusettsAbstractAn experiential learning platform was recently developed to expose graduate engineering students, aswell as undergraduate junior and senior mechanical engineering students, to the concept, components,operation, and application of programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The platform consists of aprogrammable logic controller, which can be programmed with a desktop PC, in order to control severalsimple output devices. The system allows students to write their own ladder logic programs, and

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Gregory S. Parnell; Michael Kwinn

Series in early 2008. The authors redesigned the introductory course, now titled“Fundamentals of Systems Design and Management,” around a system thinking presentation, anindividual decision problem, and a group design project. We have continued to improve the course forthe past two years.IntroductionDesigning the first course of any academic program is always challenging. There are more foundationalconcepts than time in one semester. The first course of any engineering program is especiallychallenging. Several key questions need to be answered. What are the foundational topics that will beneeded in future courses to provide the knowledge for follow-on courses? Will students have thenecessary prerequisites? What pedagogy should be used?In the

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Roy T.R. McGrann

) Demonstrate the integration of the elements of modeling and analysis in a CAE design project, and (VI) Prepare a complete design project report. 3The course is structured as two one-hour lectures each week and one 2½-hour computer lab. Thematerial presented in each of the two “lecture” sessions each week is distinct. One session consists ofpresentations of design methodology, engineering graphics fundamentals, kinematic and force analysisof mechanisms, and FEA. The other session consists of Pro/Engineer (Pro/E) training. The trainingsessions and the laboratory assignments are complementary. These training session lectures have beenrecorded for student self-study.Three projects are the