Design and Testing of a Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle

The objective of this MQP is to design, test, and assess the feasibility of a flapping-wing remote controlled micro air vehicle (MAV). The group designed an MAV with a wingspan and total length of under one foot and a weight of under one ounce, similar to existing projects. The group then manufactured, assembled, and performed several tests on a prototype of the MAV. Finally, the group proposed design improvements and recommendations for future work at WPI

Concept Inventories in Engineering Science and Design

The purpose of this IQP is to assess the use of conceptual learning at WPI within two separate disciplines: Engineering Science and Design. After comprehensive literature research, the team was subdivided into two groups. The first group focused on the possible implementation of Concept Inventories (CI) in the engineering sciences. This was carried out by interviewing professors and administering a CI to senior mechanical engineering students. The second group focused on the possible development of a design CI by interviewing faculty and surveying senior students. The first group found that CIs could be useful tools to aid in the improvement of engineering education at WPI. The second group set up the foundation for further research that could lead to the development of a design CI