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It Does Not Have to Be Rocket Science—But Sometimes It Is

Stephen T. McClain Mississippi State University Department of Mechanical Engineering P.O. Box ME Mississippi State, MS 39762 mcclain@me.msstate.edu

Abstract

The efforts of two student groups in ME 4731—Experimental Techniques II at Mississippi State University are presented. In Experimental Techniques II, groups of three or four students are required to choose an experimental objective, design and build an apparatus to achieve the objectives, run an experiment to reach their objectives, quantify the uncertainty associated with their results, and discuss the results of their experiments in written and oral reports. To maintain a high level of student interest, a great amount of freedom is given to the students in choosing experimental objectives. In the Spring 2001 semester, two groups selected two interesting, unusual, and ambitious experimental objectives. One group chose to design and calibrate a model-rocket-engine test stand and use it to validate the manufacturer’s specifications of maximum thrust, average thrust, and total thrust time of a model rocket engine type. The second group chose to build and test a potato gun to determine its chemical efficiency. The effects of air-fuel ratio, barrel diameter, and barrel length were explored. Each of the groups faced many problems and challenges in achieving their objectives. The problems, the innovative solutions, and the surprising results of both projects are discussed. The benefits seen in ME 4731 of allowing students to choose their own projects are also briefly discussed.

Introduction

The undergraduate laboratory sequence in mechanical engineering at Mississippi State University consists of ME 3701—Experimental Orientation, ME 4721—Experimental Techniques I, and ME 4731—Experimental Techniques II. Each of the laboratories is worth one hour of credit. In ME 3701, students study engineering measurements, transducers, and data acquisition systems. In ME 4721, students learn uncertainty analysis and experimental design using uncertainty-analysis techniques. In ME 4731, the students are required to use the information acquired in ME 3701 and ME 4721 to design, build, and run experiments. The students must then report the results of their experiments in formal written and oral reports.

Students normally run four experiments in ME 4731. Two experiments are two-week experiments and two are five-week experiments. In the two-week experiments, students in groups of three or four are assigned an existing experimental apparatus and an experimental objective. The purpose of the two-week experiments is for the students to demonstrate the ability to use an existing apparatus and design an experimental procedure to achieve an Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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McClain, S. (2002, June), It Does Not Have To Be Rocket Science But Sometimes It Is Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10128