The goal of this session is to show how a series of similar engineering projects can help students not only understand the engineering cycle but also other aspects of engineering such as communication, inclusion, goal setting, and planning and organization. Attendees may choose to bring their own safety eyewear

Carlson, Mark

Hawker, Eric

English

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: DigitalCommons@IMSA

Teaching the Engineering Cycle Through a Series of ProjectsDr. Eric Hawkerehawker@imsa.eduDr. Mark Carlsonmcarlson@imsa.eduFri. March 3rd 2021Kane County Institute DayThe Engineering Course❏ One semester long junior and senior elective❏ Students have had introductory classical mechanics (but no rotational motion) ❏ Many students have not had calculus, a few have not had trig or vectors❏ Students have a wide variety of building skills❏ Many but not all of the students are thinking about majoring in engineering in collegeThe Engineering Course❏ Focus more on what a practicing engineer does and less on formal engineering coursework (very little math or CAD in the course)❏ Final project is student developed to address one of the UN SDG’s in some small wayCourse HistoryBegan as a series of shorter, 2-week projects, followed by the long-term projectOver time, repetition of the engineering cycle formalized• Alternative energy alpha and beta cycles• 3-stage windmill design and construction• Multiple round airplane modification and assessment• Balsa wood cranes• Lego Mindstorm robotsThe Engineering CycleA lot of the course is focused on having the students go through the engineering cycle multiple times in different ways.The ProblemDo Research Be CreativeDesign a SolutionBuild a PrototypeFeedbackTest the PrototypeFinal ProductBalsa Wood CranesPre-Project lessons and assignments:1) Lesson on torque1) Lesson on stress vs strain, how things break, and different types of stresses1) Groups design and measure a different type of stress (tension, compression, torsion, shear, or bending) acting on the balsa woodBalsa Wood CranesGoal: To build a balsa wood structure to hold a Load at a Height above the table top.Rules:1. The base of the crane must only contact the table within a 10 cm x 10 cm square2. The bottom of the load must be supported above specified Height3. The center of the load must be at horizontal Distance (usually 5 cm) outside the base of the craneMaterials and Supplies:● A set number of pieces of balsa wood (0.125” x 0.125” x 36” )● One 500 g counterweight mass (cannot be a permanent part of your crane)● Balsa wood cutter or box cutter and a ruler● Glue to join your pieces of balsa wood togetherBalsa Wood CranesCrane 1: Individuals, 2 sticks, 300 g load, 20 cm high, 20 pointsCrane 2: Pairs, 4 sticks, 400 g load, 30 cm high, 30 pointsCrane 3: Three groups of 8, 10 sticks, competitive with minimum Load, Height, and Distance, 40 pointsCrane 4: Whole class, 30 sticks, score based on LxHxD, 200 min design and prep time, 45 min build time, 60 points Airplane ProjectRound 1Assemble kit or home made design.Optimize for distance or for accuracyEstablish best performance baselinesRound 2Make modificationsTestAssess Improvement, either categoryRound 3Super plane groupsThoughts or Questions?What projects could you do this with in your classes?

TEACHING THE ENGINEERING CYCLE THROUGH A SERIES OF PROJECTS

https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1484&context=proflearningday

TEACHING THE ENGINEERING CYCLE THROUGH A SERIES OF PROJECTS

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Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: DigitalCommons@IMSA