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Session 1353 INTRODUCING DESIGN TO FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES AT WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Mark E. Cambron and Stacy S. Wilson

Department of Engineering Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY 42101

Abstract The role of design in an engineering curriculum is a key issue to the success of the program and graduates. In the Electrical Engineering program at Western Kentucky University, two new courses have been developed for the first and second years of the program which are focused on teaching design through robotics. In the first course, students must build a robotic “bug.” During this design experience, the students solder components, learn to read a simple circuit diagram, and program a BASIC Stamp chip. In the second design course, students must build a simple robot which is programmable logic controller driven. Through this experience, the students learn to deal with cost constraints, basic robot construction, and programming. The results of these courses, student feedback, and suggested improvements are included in this paper.

Introduction

The Department of Engineering at Western Kentucky University (WKU) has been given the rare opportunity to develop an entirely new engineering program. Western’s challenge is to create a unique undergraduate curriculum focused on the needs of current and future industrial partners. WKU has a foundation of over 30 years of engineering technology education. The existing technology programs are being phased out and new programs in electrical, mechanical and civil engineering have been developed. These programs are joint programs with the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. The first graduates are anticipated spring 2004. The Mission of the WKU’s Department of Engineering revolves around our vision of Project Based Learning. The central focus of this vision is that the faculty engage students in activities to support development of a clear understanding of engineering practice. The roles of students - as learners, as observers, as assistants, and as practitioners - should be supported by both the external project activities of the faculty as well as the implementation of the curriculum such that the practice of engineering is clearly demonstrated.1

In the 1990’s, a move towards a project-based learning model was developed and is generally supported in the American engineering education undergraduate community.2,3 A primary focus of WKU’s engineering programs is to provide a project-based experience at all levels of the curriculum. WKU’s goal is to provide students with relevant project experiences inside and outside the classroom. Throughout the electrical engineering (EE) program, hands-on experiences have been incorporated into the curriculum by the addition of several lab classes, design classes, and project classes. In addition, students are encouraged to be involved in industry

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Wilson, S., & Cambron, M. (2003, June), Introducing Design To Freshmen And Sophomores At Western Kentucky University Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--11984