Engineering Education Commons^™

Engineers' Motivation To Influence Public Decision Making: A Grounded Theory Approach, Sarah Bouazzaoui, Charles B. Daniels

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

In the United States of America, public policies and public decision making associated with the engineering field are set by individuals who does not possess expertise and knowledge to carry out these tasks [1]. Most of decision makers are lawyers and social scientists, not engineers [2]. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the various factors which either encourage or inhibit engineers from influencing and participating in public policy. In this study, a grounded theory approach will be followed, data will be collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed to develop a theory of research direct toward increasing the motivation …

Extending Maneuverability Of Internally Actuated Underwater Gliders, An Attempt To Develop An Open Platform For Research And Education, Saeedeh Ziaeefard

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Increasing maneuverability of internally actuated Underwater Gliders (UGs) is inevitable due to high demands in underwater surveillance and reconnaissance missions where agility and stealthiness are the keys to success. High maneuverability is needed to provide the opportunity for optimal trajectory planning, planar motion smoothness, and re-planning adapting to the dynamic environments.

This work explores extending the maneuverability of underwater gliders through coupled improvement in mechanical design, efficient use of internal actuation, and motion planning strategy utilizing flight concatenation. The existence of five flight patterns ``advanced flight", inspired by air gliders, enabled solely by utilizing internal actuation are investigated: Circle, Oval …

Manufacturing Applications Of The One-Dimensional Cutting Stock Problem As A Team Project, Hüseyin Sarper, Nebojsa I. Jaksic

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper explains the beneficial and practical impact of operations research in two real manufacturing settings. Two manufacturing examples used in student projects were (1) cutting rails (80‘ or 40‘) to manufacture railroad frogs of many sizes and (2) cutting round metal rolls (12‘ to 20‘) to meet customer demands for various lengths of cuts. Student teams in Engineering of Manufacturing Processes and Operations Research courses wrote computer programs. The program first identified all possible patterns that can be cut out of a given stock length. Next, the program created a mathematical model (a text file) as an output. This …

Exploring How Reflective Exercises Affect First-Year Engineering Epistemological And Intelligence Beliefs, Amber J. Kemppainen

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This work explores the effects of the implementation of a KWL reflective learning exercise on first-year engineering students’ self-efficacy, intelligence beliefs (mindset), and epistemological beliefs. A sample of 428 first-year engineering students were divided into three groups: a) control, b) exposure to KWL, and c) used KWL. Significant differences were found in self-efficacy between the groups with more efficacious students being less likely to utilize the KWL activity. Seventy-seven percent of the students who used the KWL activities reported positive learning outcomes by using the KWL activity to focus their class preparation or to reflect on their learning. No significant …

Collaborated Efforts In Ti Arm M4/32bits Microcontroller Curricula Developments And Assessments, Steve C. Hsiung, Feng Jao, Lijian Xu, Marjaneh Issapour

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The disappearing and lack technical supports in hardware and software of 68XXX and 80XXX microcontrollers have made the finding of the replacement an urgent issue in the academic communities. There are many new comers such as Microchip PIC, Arduino ATMEL, and Texas Instruments ARM M series to choose from, but obstacles and learning curve for the faculty to adopt the new environment with these new microcontrollers have issues to slow the process. There were efforts made with grant supports to disseminate the curricula development on PIC and Arduino microcontrollers. But, industries have suggested and expressed the needs and desire of …

The Impact Of Functional Modeling On Engineering Students' Mental Models, Jacob T. Nelson

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The ability to understand complexity and think holistically about systems is an increasingly important part of engineering design. This is embodied in the concept of systems thinking, a concept studied primarily in the fields of systems dynamics and systems engineering. Systems thinking ability is built off mental models, a loosely-defined construct people form to make predictions about their surroundings. Methods to evaluate systems thinking and underlying mental models rely primarily on self-evaluative methods such as questionnaires, or detailed simulations of systems or processes; however these methods fail to directly capture students’ design tendencies. This work presents a visual instrument used …

Kinesthetic Learning Experience Simulation Using An Online Intervention To Improve Hands-On Ability, David Leach

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Students enrolled in mechanical and manufacturing engineering programs employ differing levels of mechanical aptitude and practical hands-on ability. Many students lack practical experience tinkering with mechanical devices and mechanisms prior to entering their post-secondary years. Student attention spans in traditional classroom environments appear to be decreasing with the ever-increasing addiction to immediate gratification provided by electronic devices, gaming software, and social media platforms. The question is then raised whether or not modern engineering students have the ability to improve mechanical aptitude by simulating a kinesthetic or tactile learning experience through an online tutorial. This project describes the development and testing …

A Constructivist Approach To The Use Of Case Studies In Teaching Engineering Ethics, Diana Adela Martin, Eddie Conlon, Brian Bowe

Articles

Our paper aims to explore the effectiveness of a constructivist approach to the teaching of engineering ethics through case studies, by putting forward a contextualization of the much discussed case study “Cutting Road Side Trees” (Pritchard, 1992) in light of the constructivist frame suggested by Jonassen (1999). First, we briefly analyse how the use of case studies for the teaching of engineering ethics eludes the complexity of the engineering professional environment before arguing that constructivism is a learning theory that can help to address this complexity. The final section proposes a constructivist reworking of the case method in a manner …

Virginia Technology And Engineering Education Association 1978-2018: Celebrating Six Decades Of Progress, Ron Vickers, Philip A. Reed, George R. Willcox

STEMPS Faculty Publications

(First Paragraph) Technology and engineering education in Virginia and the nation is coming to a crossroads. Recent growth in state directives, new courses, and ever-changing funding for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education influences the supply of Technology Education teachers, leading to what some say is a dire future for our profession and association. This history is gathered to emphasize the importance and value of what we teach in Virginia public schools. It also captures who was involved with the association leadership over the years.

Effects Of Light Reflection On Spatial Visualization Ability And Implications For Engineering Technology Students, Petros Katsioloudis, Mildred Jones

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Results from a number of studies indicate that the type of light generated by the reflection on the surface of different types of surfaces can influence the spatial visualization ability; however, research provides inconsistent results. Considering this, a quasi-experimental study was conducted to identify the existence of statistically significant effects on spatial visualization ability as measured by the Mental Cutting Test and Sectional View drawing ability due to the impacts of light reflection. In particular, the study compared three types of light reflection; mirror, specular and diffuse and whether a significant difference exists among engineering technology students. According to the …

Effectiveness Of Drafting Models For Engineering Technology Students And Impacts On Spatial Visualization Ability: An Analysis And Consideration Of Critical Variables, Petros J. Katsioloudis, Jill E. Stefaniak

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Results from a number of studies indicate that the use of drafting models can positively influence the spatial visualization ability for engineering technology students. However, additional variables such as light, temperature, motion and color can play an important role but research provides inconsistent results. Considering this, a set of 5 quasi-experimental studies, was conducted to identify additional critical variables. According to the results, a dynamic, 3Dprinted drafting model, presented with a blue background under lighting conditions between 500–750 lux had the highest impact on spatial visualization ability of engineering technology students.

Fostering Giftedness And Creativity: Implementing Engineering By Design In Kuwait, Nathan Mentzer, Philip A. Reed, Meshari Alnouri, Mohammad Barbarji

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The article offers information on a partnership between the International Technology & Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) and the Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC) to support innovation and design education. The partnership is aimed towards the implementation of the Engineering byDesign (EbD) curriculum and contribute towards building a Kuwaiti society that fosters giftedness and creativity.

Development And Impact Of Teacher Social Capital In An Engineering Education Teacher Professional Development Program, Wei Zakharov

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Teacher social capital is a set of social interaction assets such as collegiality and collaboration that enable teachers to work with each other in groups to improve teaching and learning. This results in instructional improvement and student success in school reform.

This study discusses how an engineering education teacher professional development program has developed an environment for long-term collegiality and collaboration among its teachers. Furthermore, the study presents an empirical evidence of the impact of teacher social capital on students’ engineering knowledge learning.

Ninety teachers and 621 students are examined in this program. The participants are from fifteen elementary schools …

Examining Engineering Design Cognition With Respect To Student Experience And Performance, Greg J. Strimel, Eunhye Kim, Scott R. Bartholomew, Diana V. Cantu

Faculty Publications

This study investigated the design cognition and performance results of secondary and post-secondary engineering students while engaged in an engineering design task. Relationships between prototype performance and design cognition were highlighted to investigate potential links between cognitive processes and success on engineering design problems. Concurrent think-aloud protocols were collected from eight secondary and 12 post-secondary engineering students working individually to design, make, and evaluate a solution prototype to an engineering design task. The collected protocols were segmented and coded using a pre-established coding scheme. The results were then analyzed to compare the two participant groups and determine the relationships between …

Adaptive Comparative Judgment For Polytechnic Transformation: Assessment Across The Curriculum, Scott R. Bartholomew, P. E. Connolly

Faculty Publications

The authors are investigating potential applications of adaptive comparative judgment (ACJ) across numerous environments and learning scenarios within the Purdue Polytechnic Institute as part of Purdue’s efforts to transform the undergraduate learning experience. Six courses or program areas were selected for the study, involving a wide variation in subjects, subject matter, and assessment artifacts. The authors anticipate that positive results from these pilot studies will encourage broader and deeper applications of ACJ in the Purdue Polytechnic, across Purdue University, and in other academic institutions. Results from these scenarios will be disseminated in future conferences and scholarly journals.

A Comparison Of Traditional And Adaptive Comparative Judgment Assessment Techniques For Freshmen Engineering Design Projects, Scott R. Bartholomew, Greg J. Strimel, Andrew Jackson

Faculty Publications

This article examines the use of an alternative form of assessment for engineering design projects called adaptive comparative judgment (ACJ). The researchers employed an ACJ tool to evaluate undergraduate engineering student design projects in an effort to examine its’ reliability, validity, and utility in comparison with traditional assessment techniques. The ACJ process employed multiple judges to compare the design artifacts of 16 first-year engineering majors. The authors conducted an analysis of the reliability and validity of the ACJ method compared to the traditional rubric used to evaluate the project and the performance data of each student’s design prototype. For these …

Infographic : Engineers And Athletes: Comparison Of Professions And Genders, Mckenna James, Leroy Long Iii

Publications

In this infographic, the career earnings for engineers and athletes are compared. Two separate comparisons are performed: profession and gender. In the first comparison, inventors, athletes, and superheros with the highest net worth are shown. Based on the results, inventors are making billions more than the highest paid athletes and superheroes. Even the wealthiest superheroes, Black Panther and Iron Man, earn their wealth from engineering-related technology and knowledge. In the second comparison, the salary of men and women in both athletics and engineering are displayed. Based on the results, women make significantly less than men in athletics. However, women are …

Infographic : Engineers And Athletes: Career Opportunities And Average Earnings, Mckenna James, Leroy Long Iii

Publications

In this infographic, the average earnings for athletes and engineers are displayed. For a variety of sports, the average yearly salary, average career length, and average career earnings are collected. In a similar way, the average mid-career salary and average career earnings are shown for multiple engineering disciplines. In addition, a series of facts show the professional opportunities for engineers and athletes. Based on this infographic, engineering is a more viable career choice and competes with the career earnings of professional athletes. This infographic is not meant to discourage playing sports, but to encourage youth and young adults to view …

Infographic: Institutional Barriers To Black And Latino Male Collegians’ Success In Engineering And Related Stem Fields, Leroy L. Long Iii, William Wanyagah

Publications

Infographic was created to support the article Institutional Barriers to Black and Latino Male Collegian's Success in Engineering and Related Stem Fields, which can be read here:

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Integrating Creative Thinking And Innovation Into A Graphical Communications Course, Leroy Long Iii, Lulu Sun

Publications

Nationwide, leaders in business and industry have increasingly acknowledged the importance of entre¬preneurship. Several areas of the country showcase the importance of entrepreneurship such as Silicon Valley in California where a large number of start-up companies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields are located. To meet the needs of business and industry, institutions of higher educa¬tion prepare students for future employment by offering rigorous and relevant coursework in areas such as entrepreneurship. Collegiate faculty and staff can use fundamental engineering courses to instill an en¬trepreneurial mindset – a set of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that drive innovation – …