Computation of design parameters and visualization of Goertler vortices

A method for analyzing an airfoil regarding Goertler type instability was presented. A model for the visualizatin of Goertler vortices was designed and fabricated. A smoke generating apparatus was made to be used in the experiment. Experiments were conducted to photograph the vortices, however, the smoke generated was not enough to bring out the vortices

Teaching Lean Manufacturing Concepts Using Physical Simulations Within Engineering Technology Program

Physical Simulations have a proven record as a teaching tool. Concepts that are often hard to grasp are made easy by the use of physical simulation activities. The constructivism learning theory suggests that people learn better by actively participating in the process of learning. Effectiveness of simulation-based learning is well recognized. According to the Encyclopedia of Educational Technology, Simulation-based learning involves the placement of a student into a realistic scenario or situation. The student is then responsible for any changes that occur as a result of their decisions. The computer integrated manufacturing course in the mechanical engineering technology program was recently modified to include instruction in Lean manufacturing. A simulation based activity was developed to teach concepts in Lean manufacturing and their implementation within an organization. The simulation activity was developed and pilot tested with graduate students before being implemented within an undergraduate senior elective course. Student evaluations indicate a marked increase in learning and comprehension of Lean manufacturing concepts

Engineering Technology Programs Outreach to K-12

The Engineering Technology (ET) degree emphasizes hands-on application and implementation. Graduates holding this degree play a valuable role in economically growing the US and keeping it internationally competitive. However, “engineering and engineering technology, are widely misunderstood… the public sector (employers, students, high-school counselors, politicians and the general public) needs to be educated as to the particular value of each,” according to Engineering.com [1]. The National Academy of Engineering states, “Unlike the much better-known field of engineering, engineering technology is unfamiliar to most Americans and goes unmentioned in most policy discussions about the US technical workforce. This is even though workers in this field play an important role in supporting the nation’s infrastructure and capacity for innovation” [2]. In the above context, outreach by ET programs to K-12 constituents including students, teachers, and even parents is extremely important. The outreach activity can take many forms. It may be as simple as a visit to classroom either by ET faculty or students to a K-12 classroom for a show and tell. Inviting high school and middle school students and teachers to engineering open houses and campus visits can be another effective method. In addition to these traditional methods, new and innovative methods of outreach can use social media tools to reach out to students and parents. Another method for increasing awareness about ET programs is via career day events. This paper discusses various methods for outreach including some case studies of tried and tested methods

Enhancing Student Learning in Engineering Technology Programs? A Case for Physical Simulations

Physical simulations have a proven record as a teaching tool. Concepts that are often hard to grasp are made easy by the use of physical simulation activities. The constructivism learning theory suggests that people learn better by actively participating in the process of learning. According to the Encyclopedia of Educational Technology, Simulation-based learning involves the placement of a student into a realistic scenario or situation. The student is then responsible for any changes that occur as a result of their decisions. A number of physical simulation based tools have been developed by the author for use as instructional tools to enhance student learning. A description of each of these tools is provided along with their implementation in the class-room environment. A number of these tools were pilot tested in the computer integrated manufacturing course in the mechanical engineering technology program. Student evaluations indicate a marked increase in learning and comprehension of manufacturing concepts

Introducing Hands-On Simulation Activities in Introduction to Engineering & Engineering Technology Class to Keep Students Engaged

Low enrollment and high attrition rates have often plagued Engineering and Engineering Technology programs. Part of this problem can be attributed to the lack of engaging hands-on activities during the first year of instruction. Most engineering and technology programs require students to take natural science, math and some general education courses during the first two years with minimal technical content. To maintain student\u27s interest in the technical career path, it is important that students establish a link between the theoretical knowledge and its application to solve real life problems early in their learning experience. Simulation based activities have a proven record as instructional tool. Such activities have been used successfully in Lean Training programs in industry. Effectiveness of such activities as a pedagogical tool has been supported by research in the acquisition and retention of knowledge. The Shipbuilding and Repair Career Day Events (SBRCD) project was funded by the National Shipbuilding research Program to increase awareness about shipbuilding and repair careers. Four simulation activities developed under the grant were incorporated into freshmen engineering course to encourage creative thinking and keep students engaged while providing information about shipbuilding and repair processes

Applying Six Sigma Methodology to the Admissions Process in Higher Education

Time and quality are two important metrics for improving a company\u27s production and profit performance. Six Sigma is one of the most powerful continuous improvement tools that have been used to improve the quality of products and business processes. Six Sigma methodology provides the techniques and tools to improve the capability and reduce the number of defects in any process. It was originally developed by Motorola to systematically improve processes by eliminating defects. Although, originally developed for manufacturing processes, the tool has been effectively applied to improve business processes also. Evaluation of applications for admission in higher education is often a long and time consuming process. Long lead times and number of errors can be very frustrating for prospective students and their parents. This paper addresses the issues and concerns related to the admissions process at a University and makes recommendations for implementation. This study was completed as part of a master\u27s project. The paper first outlines Six Sigma principle and then discusses various tools and techniques that can be applied to the admissions process. The delays in the application evaluation process are caused due to several factors, student not submitting credentials on time, delays at processing stations and delays due to un-necessary routing. A process map was created followed by data collection at various stations along the value stream. Finally DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) principles were applied to identify sources of bottlenecks and to suggest improvements to the process

Impact of STEM Focused Project Based Learning Activities on Career Education for K-12 and Community College Students

Low enrollment and high attrition rates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) based degree programs have created a workforce problem in industries like shipbuilding and repair which are important for national security. Part of this problem can be attributed to pedagogical issues like lack of engaging hands-on activities utilized for science and math education in middle and high schools. Lack of student interest in technical careers can also be attributed to lack of an integrated approach in teaching math, science and technical education. To engage student\u27s interest in the technical career path, it is important that students establish a link between the theoretical knowledge and its application to solve real life problems early in their learning experience. Project based activities have a proven record as instructional tool. Effectiveness of such activities as a pedagogical tool has been supported by research in the acquisition and retention of knowledge. Marine Career Tech (McTech) project funded by the National Science Foundation has attempted to address the workforce issues for marine industry by developing instructional modules for community college students and organizing Shipbuilding Repair and Maritime Career Day Events (SBRCD) to engage K-12 students in STEM careers. The goal is to increase awareness about shipbuilding and repair careers. Four marine kits and four instructional modules were developed under these two grants to encourage creative thinking and keep students engaged in shipbuilding and repair processes. The teacher training component of these projects has provided training in using and implementing these modules. The paper presents the results from community college faculty workshops and from the survey of SBRCD events

Enhancing Agility of Supply Chains Using Stochastic, Discrete Event and Physical Simulation Models

Managing supply chains in today’s distributed manufacturing environment has become more complex. To remain competitive in today’s global marketplace, organizations must streamline their supply chains. The practice of coordinating the design, procurement, flow of goods, services, information and finances, from raw material flows to parts supplier to manufacturer to distributor to retailer and finally to consumer requires synchronized planning and execution. Efficient and effective supply chain management assists an organization in getting the right goods and services to the place needed at the right time, in the proper quantity and at acceptable cost. Managing this process involves developing and overseeing relationships with suppliers and customers, controlling inventory, and forecasting demand, all requiring constant feedback from every link in the chain. First, a survey of existing stochastic models is presented. Base Stock Model and Q (r) models are applied to three tier single-product supply chains to calculate order quantities and reorder point at various locations within the supply chain. A computer based discrete event simulation model is created to study the three tier supply chain and to validate the results from the stochastic models. Results indicate that agility of supply chains can be enhanced by using the stochastic models to calculate order quantities and reorder points. In addition to reducing the total cost of inventory, probability of backorder and customer dissatisfaction is minimized. Results are further validated with physical simulations. Both computer based simulation and physical simulation demonstrate the improvement in the agility of the supply chain with reduced cost for inventory

Attracting K-12 Students Towards Engineering Disciplines With Project Based Learning Modules

Low enrollment and high attrition rates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) based degree programs have created a workforce problem in industries like shipbuilding and repair which are important for national security. Part of this problem can be attributed to pedagogical issues like lack of engaging hands-on activities utilized for science and math education in middle and high schools. Lack of student interest in technical careers can also be attributed to lack of an integrated approach in teaching math, science and technical education. To engage student\u27s interest in the technical career path, it is important that students establish a link between the theoretical knowledge and its application to solve real life problems early in their learning experience. Project based activities have a proven record as instructional tool. Effectiveness of such activities as a pedagogical tool has been supported by research in the acquisition and retention of knowledge. Two projects funded by the National Science Foundation and National Shipbuilding Research Program have attempted to address the workforce issue for marine industry by developing project based learning kits and associated instructional modules to engage K-12 students in STEM tracks and increase awareness about shipbuilding and repair careers. Four marine kits and four instructional modules were developed under these two grants to encourage creative thinking and keep students engaged in shipbuilding and repair processes. The teacher training component of these projects has provided training in using and implementing these modules. The paper presents the motivation behind developing these project based learning (PBL) modules, issues related to implementation and results from student and teacher workshops