TY - GEN
T1 - The flight vehicle design and fabrication course
T2 - 10th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations Conference 2010, ATIO 2010
AU - Cole, Julia A.
AU - Maughmer, Mark D.
AU - Schmidt, Kathy J.
N1 - Funding Information:
In 1990 the National Science Foundation funded a group of seven schools, the Engineering Coalition of Schools for Excellence in Education and Leadership (ECSEL), to improve engineering education through a project called “Design Across the Curriculum.” This funding was used to start the Sailplane Class and was followed by funding from both industry and the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium. As a result, the class has been able to pursue severallarge-scaleprojects as shownintheiF. 2gteliniem.
Funding Information:
To help address these concerns Penn State and six other schools formed the Engineering Coalition of Schools for Excellence in Education and Leadership (ESCEL), which was sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF).2 nOconteribution to this effort was the development and offering of an innovative course entitled “Flight Vehicle Design and Fabrication” (commonly referred to as the “Sailplane Class”). This course is based loosely on the German Akademischer liFegergruppen a(brevbiated Akafliegs, which translates to “Academic Flying Groups”). Within Akafliegs, students work on the design and fabrication of sailplanes. By participating in these groups over the course of their study, Akaflieg members acquire amny fo hetksills nedeed tobe a successful engineer, including those noted as lacking in American graduates. Work within a group setting is a powerful stimulus to thinking and it was eblieved hatt miplementing aimsilar onlg-term “project-centered” class into the aerospace curriculum would be a step toward achieving the desired attributes, as well as help the development of lifelong learning skills.3-5
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - In 1990 the Department of Aerospace Engineering of The Pennsylvania State University began offering an undergraduate course focusing on "hands-on" design and fabrication. Two decades later that course has become an established example of the benefits of projectcentered learning. The basic structure of the class has remained relatively unchanged, with students generally enrolling as freshman and remaining in the class until they graduate. While in the class, the students work on projects in both laboratory and design groups. These projects have historically focused on the design and fabrication of composite sailplanes, but efforts recently shifted to an entry into the Human-Powered Aircraft Kremer Competition, administrated by the Royal Aeronautical Society of Great Britain. In addition, for the past several years, a subgroup of the class has competed in the AIAA Student Design/Build/Fly (DBF) competition. Throughout the history of this course, students have experienced a deeper understanding in the theoretical constructs of aerospace engineering, developed leadership and teamwork skills, and gained invaluable hands-on experience.
AB - In 1990 the Department of Aerospace Engineering of The Pennsylvania State University began offering an undergraduate course focusing on "hands-on" design and fabrication. Two decades later that course has become an established example of the benefits of projectcentered learning. The basic structure of the class has remained relatively unchanged, with students generally enrolling as freshman and remaining in the class until they graduate. While in the class, the students work on projects in both laboratory and design groups. These projects have historically focused on the design and fabrication of composite sailplanes, but efforts recently shifted to an entry into the Human-Powered Aircraft Kremer Competition, administrated by the Royal Aeronautical Society of Great Britain. In addition, for the past several years, a subgroup of the class has competed in the AIAA Student Design/Build/Fly (DBF) competition. Throughout the history of this course, students have experienced a deeper understanding in the theoretical constructs of aerospace engineering, developed leadership and teamwork skills, and gained invaluable hands-on experience.
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U2 - 10.2514/6.2010-9153
DO - 10.2514/6.2010-9153
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84878466624
SN - 9781617825132
T3 - 10th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations Conference 2010, ATIO 2010
BT - 10th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations Conference 2010, ATIO 2010
PB - AIAA International
Y2 - 13 September 2010 through 15 September 2010
ER -