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Session 2164

An Innovative Materials Laboratory Collaboration

James P. Bandstra, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Richard J. Henry, Concurrent Technologies Corporation

Abstract

The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown offers a Materials and Manufacturing Laboratory course in collaboration with Concurrent Technologies Corporation. This paper describes the collaboration, the benefits of the collaboration, and the materials laboratory experiences that the collaboration provides for the Mechanical Engineering Technology students.

Objective

The objective of this paper is to provide a description of how the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ) and Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) collaborate to provide a valuable educational experience for engineering technology students. A description of the motivation for pursuing this collaboration and each organization’s respective role in fulfilling the collaboration is presented. In addition, examples of typical laboratory experiments are presented in the context of those motivations and roles. The authors hope that the collaboration described may provide guidance for the ASEE community to leverage this approach with their respective local resources.

Goals of the Collaboration

A basic tenet of the educational philosophy of the Mechanical Engineering Technology department at UPJ is to teach the fundamentals of engineering in a ‘practitioner’ context. To do this, UPJ seeks experienced engineers to serve as faculty members. While insightful teachers can often use their practical experience to enlighten and place the academic content into an industrial context, the student still can benefit from first-hand experience in that industrial setting. In selected situations, students are able to secure internships with local engineering and manufacturing firms which provides them with first-hand experience in the work place. But in the still economically depressed Johnstown area, there are not enough internships available to serve all students. By teaming with CTC to provide laboratory experience in the work place, UPJ is able to give all students completing the Mechanical Engineering Technology program the first-hand experience of working with practicing engineers and technicians in their work place.

Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Henry, R., & Bandstra, J. (2004, June), An Innovative Materials Laboratory Collaboration Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--13214