Mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology, and related educational programs are not addressing in a sufficient way the principles associated with applying analytical investigations in solving actual engineering problems. Because of this, graduates do not have the adequate skills required to use the methods of applied dynamics in…

Integrating different science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas can help students learn and leverage both the equipment and expertise at a single school. In comparing graphic communications classes with classes that involve rapid prototyping (RP) technologies like 3D printing, there are sufficient similarities between goals,…

Practical education in chemical engineering has drawn increasing attention in recent years. This paper discusses two approaches to teaching and learning about experiments among upper-level chemical and pharmaceutical engineering majors in China. On the basis of years of experience in teaching chemical and pharmaceutical engineering, we propose the…

A joint learning activity in process control is presented, in the context of a distance collaboration between engineering and technical-level students, in a similar fashion as current practices in the industry involving distance coordination and troubleshooting. The necessary infrastructure and the setup used are first detailed, followed by a…

During the fall semester of 2010, mechanical engineering students from Edison State Community College and Wright State University shared their skills and knowledge with students from the Upper Valley JVS (UVJVS) pre-engineering technology program in a highly motivating robotics activity. The activity culminated in 47 teams from regional high…

Objectives of a project-oriented mechanical engineering course, Engineering Design, were achieved through a design project, where students designed, built and demonstrated an extreme version of a basic Theo Jansen device. Through this project, junior students in the University of Louisiana fully developed the capability of applying mathematic and…

Ten years ago, Richard Blais, now vice president of Project Lead The Way, Inc. (PLTW), packed his suitcase in an attempt to convince schools to adopt a five course program that could change the vision and purpose of many technology programs in schools. PLTW is now a national organization, located in 1,800 schools in 46 states and England,…

Operating systems theory primarily concentrates on the optimal use of computing resources. This paper presents an alternative approach to teaching and studying operating systems design and concepts by way of parametrically optimizing critical operating system functions. Detailed examples of two critical operating systems functions using the…

Experience at Westchester Community College has indicated that a significant percentage of students enrolled in the Engineering Technologies program, and almost all of those enrolled in the Engineering Science program, transferred to four-year institutions. Course work in higher level mathematics, as well as inorganic chemistry and modern physics,…

In product engineering there often arise design analysis problems for which a commercial software package is either unavailable or cost prohibitive. Further, these calculations often require successive iterations that can be time intensive when performed by hand, thus development of a software application is indicated. This case relates to the…

Students in the Electronics Engineering Technology program at Pennsylvania College of Technology designed and built a computerized dynamometer platform for testing dc brushless motors. As the capstone experience for EET-320, Measurement and Tests course, students were divided into teams of four and were given three weeks to complete the project.…

An "Introduction to Bionics" course is described, focusing on objectives, the case study method used in the course, a sample case involving the design of a self-locking spine positioner for a catfish, course coverage, idea-generating techniques, and course benefits. (JDD)

Holly Grimm, a Navajo student at Stanford University, creates a balance in her studies and her life by majoring in both electrical engineering and studio art. She discusses the cultural influences on her career choice and the connections between the humanistic side of art and the technology of engineering. (LP)