Implementation and Assessment of a Failure Case Study in a Multi-Discipline Freshman Introduction to Engineering Course

James E. Lewis; Norb Delatte

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Conference: 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Publication Date: June 15, 2014
Start Date: June 15, 2014
End Date: June 18, 2014
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: FPD 6: Course Content and Educational Strategies
Tagged Division: First-Year Programs
Page Count: 11
Page Numbers: 24.703.1 - 24.703.11
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--20595
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/20595
Download Count: 397

Paper Authors

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James E. Lewis University of Louisville

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James E. Lewis, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Fundamentals at the J. B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville. His research interests include parallel and distributed computer systems, cryptography, engineering education, undergraduate retention and
technology (Tablet PCs) used in the classroom.

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biography

Norb Delatte P.E. Cleveland State University orcid.org/0000-0002-1811-4335

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Norb Delatte is Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cleveland State University

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Abstract

Implementation and Assessment of a Failure Case Study in a Multi-Discipline Freshman Introduction to Engineering CourseAbstractTwelve university partners are extending the use of case studies across multiple engineeringdisciplines. This paper focuses specifically on the implementation and assessment of a failurecase study in a first year Introduction to Engineering course by the Department of XX at theUniversity of XXX.Case studies tie together technical, ethical, and procedural aspects of engineering and requirestudents to undertake higher order thinking in order to synthesize the relevant issues. Casestudies require students to synthesize the facts and engineering principles they have learned. Amajor objective of the case studies is to expose students to some aspects of the modern practiceof engineering, namely: teamwork, problem and data analysis, design creation, presentation anddefense of a designed solution, and professional ethics. In the fabric of a first year course, wherestudents do not have existing engineering principles to build upon, case studies help introducethe engineering profession, teamwork, critical thinking, and presentation of supporting materials.A common case study used in engineering training is the examination of the failure of theskywalk at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City. This failure is beneficial for incomingstudents because the technical reason for the failure is easily understandable and straightforward.However, the most challenging part of this particular case study is understanding how thedeficient walkway supports were allowed to be constructed and installed. Most incomingstudents have little knowledge of the complex relationship of the design, fabrication, andconstruction steps in large projects such as the Hyatt Regency Hotel, some instruction in theroles and responsibilities of each entity is presented and discussed with the students before theybegin digesting the information of the case.In prior use of this case study in the Introduction to Engineering course, students were asked toread published papers reporting on this event, formulate an opinion on the party most responsiblefor the failure, and write a paper explaining and defending their opinion. These early effortswere somewhat successful, but lacked fully engaging the students in the necessary work ofdelving into the details, developing a full understanding of the problem, and logically reaching adefensible conclusion. To increase the engagement of the students, a group paper and a mockhearing before the Professional Engineering Board of Licensure was added to the case studyactivities. The mock hearing allowed the students to assume the roles of the involved entities(owner, fabricator, project engineer, etc.) and represent each of these entities at the hearing.The students are surveyed after all case study activities are completed. The surveys collectinformation regarding how each of the elements of the case study impacted the students’ interestin the engineering profession and their understanding in the engineering profession. This paperpresents a discussion of the modified case study as well as student survey results.

Citation
Format

Lewis, J. E., & Delatte, N. (2014, June), Implementation and Assessment of a Failure Case Study in a Multi-Discipline Freshman Introduction to Engineering Course Paper presented at 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Indianapolis, Indiana. 10.18260/1-2--20595

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -           Implementation and Assessment of a Failure Case Study in a         Multi-Discipline Freshman Introduction to Engineering CourseAbstractTwelve university partners are extending the use of case studies across multiple engineeringdisciplines. This paper focuses specifically on the implementation and assessment of a failurecase study in a first year Introduction to Engineering course by the Department of XX at theUniversity of XXX.Case studies tie together technical, ethical, and procedural aspects of engineering and requirestudents to undertake higher order thinking in order to synthesize the relevant issues. Casestudies require students to synthesize the facts and engineering principles they have learned. Amajor objective of the case studies is to expose students to some aspects of the modern practiceof engineering, namely: teamwork, problem and data analysis, design creation, presentation anddefense of a designed solution, and professional ethics. In the fabric of a first year course, wherestudents do not have existing engineering principles to build upon, case studies help introducethe engineering profession, teamwork, critical thinking, and presentation of supporting materials.A common case study used in engineering training is the examination of the failure of theskywalk at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City. This failure is beneficial for incomingstudents because the technical reason for the failure is easily understandable and straightforward.However, the most challenging part of this particular case study is understanding how thedeficient walkway supports were allowed to be constructed and installed. Most incomingstudents have little knowledge of the complex relationship of the design, fabrication, andconstruction steps in large projects such as the Hyatt Regency Hotel, some instruction in theroles and responsibilities of each entity is presented and discussed with the students before theybegin digesting the information of the case.In prior use of this case study in the Introduction to Engineering course, students were asked toread published papers reporting on this event, formulate an opinion on the party most responsiblefor the failure, and write a paper explaining and defending their opinion. These early effortswere somewhat successful, but lacked fully engaging the students in the necessary work ofdelving into the details, developing a full understanding of the problem, and logically reaching adefensible conclusion. To increase the engagement of the students, a group paper and a mockhearing before the Professional Engineering Board of Licensure was added to the case studyactivities. The mock hearing allowed the students to assume the roles of the involved entities(owner, fabricator, project engineer, etc.) and represent each of these entities at the hearing.The students are surveyed after all case study activities are completed. The surveys collectinformation regarding how each of the elements of the case study impacted the students’ interestin the engineering profession and their understanding in the engineering profession. This paperpresents a discussion of the modified case study as well as student survey results.
AU  - James E. Lewis
AU  - Norb Delatte P.E.
CY  - Indianapolis, Indiana
DA  - 2014/06/15
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Implementation and Assessment of a Failure Case Study in a Multi-Discipline Freshman Introduction to Engineering Course
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/20595
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--20595
ER  -