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Session 3550

Using the SAE Aero-Design Competition to Expose Students to Multidisciplinary Design Teams

Aaron R. Cowin, Terrence K. Kelly Parks College of Engineering and Aviation Saint Louis University

Abstract Students at Saint Louis University have an opportunity to participate in the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineering) Aero-Design student competition. The competition challenges students to design, fabricate and fly an aircraft carrying a desired weight in a pre-determined flight pattern. Participation in the project draws students with diverse backgrounds from across the university. A typical design team includes students majoring in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Management, Aviation Science, as well as students from the College of Arts and Science majoring in non-technical/non- engineering fields.

Aside from the obvious challenges of design, analysis, fabrication and flight, the team is exposed to another real-world challenge to engineering design, working in a multidiscipline design team. Students participating on the team may have dramatically differing educational and practical backgrounds. The methods and manners in which each individual approaches a team challenge, whether engineering, application or organizationally based must yield a cohesive group that is focused on the overall success of the team and a positive team experience. Regardless of the abilities of the individuals, in order to succeed, the team must find common ground and establish working relationships with team members of different backgrounds and personality types. The synthesis of multi-discipline talents and efforts is a tool that is used extensively in the manufacturing and industrial world and serves as a precursor to what the student is likely to expect upon graduation.

This paper will examine and identify the aspects of collegial efforts exhibited by students participating in a multidisciplinary team competition and the overall benefit to alumni in their professional life who have previously participated in structured multidisciplinary team efforts at Parks College of Saint Louis University.

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright Ó 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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Kelly, T., & Cowin, A. (2002, June), Using The Sae Aero Design Competition To Expose Students To Multidisciplinary Design Teams Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10231