Problem-based collaborative projects in and between freshman and sophomore engineering courses

Asad Azemi, Ivan Esparragoza

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work describes our effort at the Delaware County Campus of Penn State to enhance the freshman engineering design and graphics and sophomore engineering computer programming courses by incorporating problem-based collaborative robotics projects in and between these courses. The robotics project in the engineering design and graphics course, ED&G 100, focuses on the mechanical and overall design aspect of a robot, and the projects in the engineering computer programming course, CMPSC 201, focus on the programming aspects. Lego Mindstorms and Handy Board controller have been chosen for building the robots and programming them, respectively. The collaborative projects have been designed with the intention of increasing learning, through collaboration among students and faculty. The projects also encourage teamwork by working with students from different disciplines, promote analytical skills by working to solve an open-ended problem, and provide practical experience and learning by doing through working with robots. To emphasize the importance of communication skills, at the end of the semester each team is also expected to present a report for the final project using PowerPoint. A detailed discussion of this collaborative work and the advantages and disadvantages of such an approach is discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationInnovations in Engineering Education 2005
Subtitle of host publicationMechanical Engineering Education, Mechanical Engineering Technology Department Heads
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
Pages347-351
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)0791842320, 9780791842324
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005
Event2005 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2005 - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: Nov 5 2005Nov 11 2005

Publication series

NameInnovations in Engineering Education 2005: Mechanical Engineering Education, Mechanical Engineering Technology Department Heads
Volume2005

Other

Other2005 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2005
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period11/5/0511/11/05

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

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