Education Commons^™

The Development Of The Infews-Er: A Virtual Resource Center For Transdisciplinary Graduate Student Training At The Nexus Of Food, Energy, And Water, Luis F. Rodríguez, Anna-Maria Marshall, Dan Cotton, Richard Koelsch, Jacek A. Koziel, Deanne Meyer, Dan Steward, Jill Heemstra, Anand Padmanabahn, John Classen, Nathan J. Meyer, Benjamin L. Ruddell, Sean M. Ryan, Ximing Cai, Emad Habib, Peter D. Saundry

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications

Problems at the nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems (FEWS) are among the most complex challenges we face. Spanning simple to complex temporal, geographic, social, and political framings, the questions raised at this nexus require multidisciplinary if not transdisciplinary approaches. Answers to these questions must draw from engineering, the physical and biological sciences, and the social sciences. Practical solutions depend upon a wide community of stakeholders, including industry, policymakers, and the general public. Yet there are many obstacles to working in a transdisciplinary environment: unfamiliar concepts, specialized terminology, and countless “blind” spots. Graduate education occurs in disciplinary ‘silos', often ...

Barriers And Motivators For Tractors Rops Retrofitting In Iowa, Charles V. Schwab, J. Gordon Arbuckle, H. Mark Hanna

Sociology Publications

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conducted an assessment of Iowa farm operators‘ perceptions of the barriers and motivators when considering retrofitting tractors with rollover protective structures (ROPS). A statewide sample of approximately 2,000 farm operators was surveyed in the 2017 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll. A series of questions was asked to evaluate the importance of potential barriers to decisions to not retrofit a tractor and potential motivators that could influence the decision to retrofit or purchase a tractor with ROPS. The survey received a 48% response rate (999 responses). Among the 76% of Iowa farm operators ...

Developing Serious Games In Engineering Education: Innovation At The Nexus Of Food, Energy, And Water Systems, Nathan Rice

Biological Systems Engineering--Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

At a time when food, energy, and water (FEW) are of the utmost concern to the security and health of the world, an initiative has begun to understand the interactions between these systems. The goal of Innovation at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems (INFEWS) is to bring together research fields that typically work in their own silos to solve complex problems increasing the resiliency and sustainability of the FEW system. Stemming from this initiative was a project to produce an educational immersive simulation game to teach youth about how their food is produced, systems thinking, and sustainable ...

Rapid Needs Assessment And Response Technique, Jacqueline Comito, Brandy Case Haub, Mark Licht

Agronomy Publications

The rapid needs assessment and response technique (RNR) is a useful tool for Extension professionals seeking ways to improve workshop structure. Facilitators using RNR organize workshop participants in small groups and then rotate the groups through a series of stations where participants dialogue on questions central to the workshop topic. The technique helps adult learners actively engage with one another, thus improving their ability to learn the subject matter. Use of RNR also allows facilitators to understand participants' existing knowledge of a workshop topic and tailor their education to participants' specific questions and needs.

Student Perspectives On A New Online Biomass Production Module For Fundamentals Of Biorenewable Resources And Technology, Darren H. Jarboe, D. Raj Raman, Thomas J. Brumm, Robert A. Martin, Scott Mcleod

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications

In 2007, a Virtual Education Center for Biorenewable Resources was initiated that offered three online courses, one being Biorenewable Resources and Tech¬nology (BRT) 501 – Fundamentals of BRT. The objective was to assess student perceptions on two delivery methods, course assessments, module material, and student learning. Twenty students completed the survey of qualitative aspects of student experiences in BRT 501. The biomass production module brought non-farm students closer to the knowledge level of farm students as demonstrated by students’ self-assessed knowl¬edge and their BRT 501 assessment scores. Students desired a stronger connection with the course instructor and peers, whether ...

Differential Impacts Of Online Delivery Methods On Student Learning: A Case Study In Biorenewables, Darren H. Jarboe, D. Raj Raman, Thomas J. Brumm, Robert Martin, Scott Mcleod

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications

In 2007, a Virtual Education Center for Biorenewable Resources was initiated that offered three distance education courses, one being Biorenewable Resources and Technology (BRT) 501 – Fundamentals of Biorenewable Resources and Technology, the subject of this study. The primary objective was to determine if course delivery method (video lecture format and the other in menu-driven auto-tutorial presentations (MDAP) deliv¬ered via Flash format), student major (agricultural and non-agricultural), and gender influence online student learning in BRT 501. We found that BRT 501 student performance was not significantly impacted by module delivery method. Students with agricultural majors were outperformed by students with ...

Using Wii Technology And Experiential Learning To Teach Newtonian Mechanics To Rural Middle School Students, Joseph S. Dvorak, Tanya C. Franke-Dvorak, Shane Neel

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

This study looked at the effects of an experiential learning activity using the accelerometer in the Wii Remote to teach basic concepts of Newtonian mechanics, e.g., acceleration, to middle school students in a rural school district. A major prerequisite for students at the mid-level in biosystems engineering programs is that they have a good knowledge of basic science, including physics. Education in these concepts must begin before college, such as at the middle school level. Improvements in science education are vitally necessary to achieve essential learning outcomes for middle school students in the U.S. and to prepare these ...

Perspectives Of Extension Agents And Farmers Toward Multifunctional Agriculture In The United States Corn Belt, John W. Doudna, Matthew E. O'Neal, John C. Tyndall, Matthew J. Helmers

Entomology Publications

We surveyed the perspectives of farmers, crop professionals, and Extension agents and found that they have positive perspectives concerning multifunctional agriculture, including a positive effect of a nearby prairie to cropland productivity. The survey was conducted in central Iowa and included individuals predominantly from Iowa involved in commodity research and production. Our results are preliminary and provide a baseline for further research into the perspectives of change agents in the U.S. Corn Belt. They also provide insight into similarities among key links in the diffusion of innovation chain.

Agriculture Study Abroad Program To Poland, Jacek A. Koziel

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

The Technology Travel Course (TSM 496) is an elective course that meets the university-wide international perspectives requirement. The course has a curricular home in the department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), Iowa State University (ISU). It enables instructors to develop and offer a study abroad program structured as a faculty-led trip abroad. This course is also an excellent opportunity for students to learn/compare technology concepts and applications in an international context that is encouraged by the ABE External Advisory Board. The objectives of this paper are to (1) Review the application of TSM 496 to Ag Study Abroad ...

Strengthening Senior Technology Capstone Course Experience For Agricultural And Industrial Technology Students, Lloyd D. Snell, Jacek A. Koziel

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

The Technology Capstone I/II are required Agricultural Systems Technology and Industrial Technology courses at Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), Iowa State University to prepare students for workplace application of learned practices. Instructors are challenged to create a strong and rigorous learning experience in the final year of a typical degree program. Past experiences with Technology Capstone course weaknesses could be summarized as follows: (1) projects were often "made-up" problems, i.e., contrived to meet academic requirements, lacking real-world business client and associated professional/business-world expectations, (2) student engagement was low and affecting other team members, and (3) instructors lacked ...

Administration Of Team-Based Senior Capstone Course: Lessons Learned And Future Challenges, Gretchen A. Mosher

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

Senior capstone courses provide an important mechanism for students to integrate and apply technical knowledge and skills they have acquired in previous coursework. Additionally, students are required to master a variety of professional skills, including teamwork, unstructured task completion, and project management to facilitate successful completion of a capstone course. Faculty also play an important role in the success of capstone courses. Sourcing and grading projects are common challenges for instructors. This paper will outline the challenges and best practices learned in the development and implementation of a senior-level capstone course in agricultural engineering technology, based on qualitative data gathered ...

A Systematic Review Of Mechatronic-Based Projects In Introductory Engineering And Technology Courses, John R. Haughery, D. Raj Raman

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

For well over two decades, engineering and technology educators have been deploying hands-on project-based learning activities in freshmen courses, in the hopes of inspiring students,increasing retention, and creating better educated graduates. Some of these educators have also been reporting the results of their efforts through papers published and/or presented in a widevariety of settings. In an attempt to understand the broad results of these efforts, this paper discusses the effects of mechatronic-based projects on the retention of engineering and technology students. To facilitate this discussion, we conducted a systematic review of well over 120 related sources of literature ...

Cross-Institutional Exploratory Of Faculty Compensation Models To Incentivize Distance Learning Participation, Mitchell L. Springer, Mark T. Schuver, Thomas J. Brumm

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

In higher education, courses and curriculum are purportedly the intellectual property of the academic departments. Academic departments, then, provide instructors or faculty to teach. The assignment of faculty to teach in distance-based programs directly implies there needs to exist some level of financial incentive for the home department of those faculty, as well as direct incentive to the faculty who are involved in teaching. After all expenses are accounted for, then,what model for faculty compensation provides the greatest level of incentive to participate in professional studies? Building on previous scholarship and over a year of additional research,this paper ...

Examining The Use Of Engineering Internship Workplace Competency Assessments For Continuous Improvement, Mark A. Laingen, Steven A. Freeman, Thomas J. Brumm, Mack Shelley

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

This study explored how workplace competency assessment data from internship studentsand their supervisors, collected by College of Engineering programs between fall 2001 throughfall 2011 are applied toward continuous improvement practices. The continuous improvementprocess is integral to the accreditation and evaluation of the engineering curriculum. This mixedmethods study examined three separate practices using internship workplace competencyassessment ratings in the continuous improvement process. The study examined how assessmentrankings of the internship students’ workplace competency strengths and weakness have changedfrom the 2001-05 assessment terms in the past accreditation cycle, to the 2006-11 assessmentterms of the most recent accreditation cycle. In addition, this study ...

Ensc 110 (Energy In Perspective) Bibliography, Supplementary Reading, Adam Liska

Adam Liska Papers

Energy, Thermodynamics, Complexity, Evolution, & Astronomy
Energy & Technology
Energy: Petroleum & Coal
Bioenergy, Animals, & Food
Energy & Environment
Energy & Climate Change
Energy, Oil Security, & War
Energy & Societal Collapse

Bibliography of 47 monographs

Ensc 300 (Energy Seminar) Annotated Bibliography, Supplementary Reading, Adam Liska

Adam Liska Papers

Innovation
Sociology of Innovation, Business, & Work
Sustainable Business Strategy
Leadership
Science, Engineering, & Business History
Economics
Energy, Business, & Environmental Policy
Climate Change & Insurance
Education
Ethics

62 monographic resources

Facilitating Successful Global Research Among Engineering And Technology Scholars: The Case Study Of Agricultural Supply Chain, Shweta Chopra, Prashant Rajan, Chad M. Laux

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

With the increase in demand for the global research, scholars in engineering and technology discipline do not hesitate in taking up global opportunity for conducting research. Scholars may lack the skill set to work in an international environment and encounter many surprises during field research, directly impacting their productivity. However, prior information regarding climate, work, and traditional culture, etc. will help scholars to acclimatize faster and produce effective results in new environment. Current research utilizes case study method for data collection and data analysis by drawing on experiences of the authors while conducting 18 months field research in Chhattisgarh, India ...

Creating And Sustaining High-Quality Senior Capstone Experiences, Gretchen A. Mosher

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

The 2011 Outcomes Assessment Model for accreditation by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) requires coursework in both management and technical areas of technology, with a “reasonable balance” between the practical application of “how” and more conceptual application of “why” (ATMAE Outcomes Assessment Model, 2013). One way to meet this requirement is with a senior capstone course. Capstone courses focus on the integration and application of technical skills and knowledge along with consideration of multiple realistic constraints. A high quality capstone experience has many positive outcomes for the student, faculty, and department. However, capstone courses can be ...

Enhancing Team-Based Senior Capstone Projects: Opportunities And Challenges, Gretchen A. Mosher

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

Generally, capstone courses focus on the integration and application of technical knowledge and skills acquired in previous coursework along with a consideration of multiple realistic constraints. However, capstone courses also require students to focus on a variety of professional skills, including teamwork, unstructured task completion, and project management. Because students are often new at these skills, they may find it difficult to resolve issues as they arise, particularly when working with an actual industrial client.

Capstone courses also pose challenges to faculty. Finding a consistent stream of projects that are at the appropriate level for senior level students can be ...

Quantifying Cognitive Processes In Virtual Learning Simulations, Michael P. Thornton, Gretchen A. Mosher

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

Virtual learning simulations have received increasing attention due various proposed educational, instructional, and institutional advantages; with literature focusing largely on perceptions of this technology and empirical comparisons to other instructional methods. Compared to traditional learning environments, virtual learning environments may present methodological advantages in studying learning processes through applying behavioral tracing techniques.

This paper will discuss behavioral indicators of cognitive learning processes used in virtual decision scenarios designed for third year engineering and engineering technology students. Behavioral measures to quantitatively analyze the learning process will be presented. Implications for assessing student learning, instructional strategy selection, and improving higher education quality ...

Understanding Engineering Students' Perceptions And Knowledge About Sustainable Development And Sustainability, Bhavna Sharma, Brian L. Steward, Say K. Ong, Fernando E. Miguez

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

The Sustainable Engineering and International Development course was first offered to engineering majors at the Iowa State University (ISU) in 2005. The course is focused on describing, discussing and comparing the key concepts of sustainability, sustainable development and sustainable engineering. In 2005, sustainability was not a major part of the engineering curricula and students had little to no knowledge about these concepts. Nine years later, sustainability has become an integral part of our daily lives. In this study, we wanted to understand student perceptions, knowledge, and understanding of sustainability, sustainable development and its implementation across various engineering systems. The assessment ...

Successful Strategies For Engaging Community Colleges And Universities In Transfer Partnership, Marcia R. Laugerman, Diane T. Rover, Steven K. Mickelson, Mack C. Shelley, Kari Hensen

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

In order to increase the number of students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP).

The Student Enrollment and Engagement through Connections (SEEC) project is a collaboration between Iowa State University (ISU) and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) funded by a STEP grant to increase the number of students graduating with a bachelor's degree in engineering at ISU and the number of students in pre-engineering study ...

Development Of An Interactive Water Management Role‐Playing Game As An Educational Tool Representing The Central Nebraska Platte River Valley Social‐Economic‐Ecological System, Victoria Chraibi, Nathan Rossman, Anil Giri, Noelle Hart, Zion Schell

DBER Speaker Series

As members of the National Science Foundation's Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT), we have gained valuable experience abroad in Europe learning about and participating in research that utilizes serious role‐playing games representing a watershed with its land use and river system. The focus of this research is on the development of such a game representing the central Platte River valley and its dynamics according to the activities played by the players and uncertain streamflow inputs. The game is adapted specifically from two other games, one called Wat‐A‐Game, developed at the French public institutes IRSTEA ...

Role Of Senior Capstones In 21st Century Technology Undergraduate Programs, Gretchen A. Mosher

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Technical Reports and White Papers

To provide a summary of current thoughts and practices on undergraduate capstone courses, this white paper will contain three major portions. Positive student outcomes and potential institutional uses of capstone courses will be discussed in the first portion of the paper. The second part of the paper will discuss the challenges of implementing a high-quality capstone course in a technology-based curriculum program. Specifically, considerations for sourcing student projects, student team formation and management, and fair and consistent assessment of students will be discussed. Implications for technology faculty who wish to embark on the development of a senior-level capstone course will ...

A Case For A Reform In Teaching Introductory, Fundamental Engineering Mechanics Courses, Peggy C. Boylan-Ashraf, Steven A. Freeman, Mack C. Shelley

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

Introductory, fundamental engineering mechanics (IFEM) courses, such as statics of engineering, mechanics of materials, dynamics, and mechanics of fluids, have far too long been focused on intense mathematical and theoretical concepts. Bold new methodologies that connect science to life using active learning pedagogies need to be emphasized more in engineering classrooms. This study investigated the role of a new paradigm in teaching IFEM courses and attempts to contribute to the current national conversation in engineering curriculum development of the need to change engineering education—from passive learning to active learning. Demographic characteristics in this study included a total of 4 ...

Holistic Student Professional Development And Assessment: A Backward Design Approach, Jacqulyn A. Baughman, Thomas J. Brumm, Steven K. Mickelson

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Under The Asabe Umbrella — Engineering Degree Programs Need Curriculum Reform, D. Raj Raman, Amy L. Kaleita

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications

The first-ever issue of Transactions of the ASAE, published in 1907, opens with a talk given by Howard W. Riley (after whom Riley-Robb Hall at Cornell University would later be named) that's modestly titled "The Courses in Agricultural Engineering that Should be Offered." Responses from several other luminaries, including J. B. Davidson (after whom Davidson Hall at Iowa State University would later be named), are included and make for fascinating reading for any student or practitioner of our discipline.

Landlabs: An Integrated Approach To Creating Agricultural Enterprises That Meet The Triple Botom Line, Nicholas Jordan, Lisa A. Schulte, Carol Williams, David Mulla, David Pitt, Carissa Shively Slotterback, Randall Jackson, Douglas Landis, Bruce Dale, Dennis Becker, Mark Rickenbach, Matt Helmers, V. Bobby Bringi

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications

Global demand is increasing for food, feed, and fiber; for additional agricultural outputs, such as biofuels; and for ecosystem services, such as clean water and outdoor recreation. In response, new agricultural enterprises are needed that produce more outputs from existing lands while meeting the "triple bottom line" of high performance in economic, environmental, and social terms. Establishing such enterprises requires coordination and development within three critical domains: landscape configurations (i.e., types and arrangements of land uses), supply/value chains (i.e., processing and utilization), and policy and governance. In this essay, we describe our efforts, as land-grant university scientists ...

Formation And Development Of Effective Student Teams To Facilitate Team-Based Learning, Gretchen A. Mosher

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations

The ability to work in an effective team has been identified by employers as a key skill for students entering the work force. Furthermore, a desire for active learning by both students and faculty has also increased the use of team-based learning. However, team-based learning also has its drawbacks – notably, managing conflict among team members, reconciling differing levels of effort by students, and the construction of a fair and effective method of assessment for teambased work. Highly developed and cohesive teams allow the focus of the classroom to be on engaged and transformative learning, yet previous research has focused mostly ...

Juxtaposing Nasa’S Aeronet Aod With Carb Pm Data Over The San Joaquin Valley To Facilitate Multi-Angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (Misr) Pm Pollution Research, John Kanemoto

STAR (STEM Teacher and Researcher) Presentations

Airborne particulate matter (PM) has been shown to increase the risk for asthma, chronic bronchitis, cardiopulmonary complications, and respiratory cell membrane damage/infection/leakage. PM levels are currently analyzed from two perspectives: stationary land-based monitoring (LBM) sites and total Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) atmospheric column measurements. Both perspectives often leave miles of space between measuring locations and will have a continually increasing cost from introducing/maintaining sites. The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) satellite team hopes to begin investigating/archiving PM levels comprehensively via inputting MISR AOD measurements into a function/model which predicts the amount of ground level PM.

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