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Incorporating an Entrepreneurial Mindset, Bio-Inspired Design, and STEAM Approach to Enhance Learning in a Computer Aided Design and Modeling Class

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

June 26, 2024

Conference Session

Industrial Engineering Division (IND) Technical Session 1

Tagged Division

Industrial Engineering Division (IND)

Page Count

16

DOI

10.18260/1-2--47604

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/47604

Download Count

47

Paper Authors

biography

Thomas Aming'a Omwando Simpson University

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Dr. Thomas Omwando holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. He is an Assistant Professor and Director of Engineering program at Simpson University. His teaching interests are in statistical quality control, manufacturing processes, engineering/project management, engineering economy and production and operations analysis. His research interests are in sustainable manufacturing, entrepreneurially minded learning and project based learning approaches in education

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biography

Bhavana Kotla Purdue Polytechnic Graduate Programs Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-5163-7664

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Ph.D. Candidate at the Department of Technology, Leadership & Innovation, Purdue Polytechnic, Purdue University, Indiana, USA

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biography

Adel Alhalawani Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

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Dr. Adel Alhalawani’s teaching interests include engineering design, biomechanics, statics and mechanics of materials, biomaterials and design of manufacturing. His research has focused on bio-glass based adhesives for orthopedic applications and dental-based adhesives.

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biography

Lisa Bosman Purdue University at West Lafayette (PPI)

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Dr. Bosman holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering. Her engineering education research interests include entrepreneurially minded learning, energy education, interdisciplinary education, and faculty professional development.

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Ashutosh Khandha University of Delaware Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0001-6003-3881

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Ashutosh Khandha is an Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Engineering program at the University of Delaware, with work experience both in Industry and Academia, and with interests in Engineering Education and Accreditation, Forensic Engineering Analysis and Biomedical Research.

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Abstract

Traditionally, an introductory Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Modeling course involves students learning by drafting models and exercises primarily from textbooks. Whereas this method has been used for a long time and has been very effective in its intended purpose, it does not provide students with entrepreneurial and other professional skills that are increasingly becoming essential for engineers in industry. An interdisciplinary approach that integrates an entrepreneurial mindset, bio-inspired design, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) could potentially provide students with skills they need to face the challenges in the job market and become creative thinkers and problem solvers upon graduation. In this study, an interdisciplinary approach was incorporated in the curriculum that involved students identifying problems in existing products to create new solutions. This involved dissection of an existing product, carrying out functional decomposition to understand the functional relationships between component parts, identifying gaps in the design, and bridging gaps in the designs by either improving the design or coming up with a new design. Given that students carried out these activities in groups, they developed teamwork skills, improved their communication skills, and enhanced their critical thinking skills. A photovoice reflection survey and a set of open-ended questions were used to evaluate the outcomes. Results showed that students were more motivated to learn the course and became more engaged with the projects they were involved in. These results also showed that employing an interdisciplinary approach to teaching an introductory CAD modeling course can have a positive impact on the students’ learning experience.

Omwando, T. A., & Kotla, B., & Alhalawani, A., & Bosman, L., & Khandha, A. (2024, June), Incorporating an Entrepreneurial Mindset, Bio-Inspired Design, and STEAM Approach to Enhance Learning in a Computer Aided Design and Modeling Class Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--47604

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