Proposal-based design projects are an effective tool for teaching and reinforcing fundamental concepts. These projects require significant time investment for both students and faculty. Studies have shown that execution of these projects leads to larger knowledge retention. This paper illustrates the examples of student-led projects developed during instrumentation and measurement laboratory class.
The Instrumentation and Measurement Laboratory is a requirement of the Mechanical Engineering program at York College of Pennsylvania. The class features an introduction to experimental design, measurement and data analysis. The number of credits dedicated to this class is one laboratory credit. Description of the course, student outcomes, class exercises and examples of student-led design projects are illustrated. In the current paper, these projects include the study of water hammer characteristics in a pipe, force measurements on two types of bicycle helmets, and light intensity measurements for five different light bulbs. Outcomes of student surveys and recommendations for future class offerings are also included.
A Strategy for Sustainable Student Outcomes Assessment for a Mechanical Engineering Program that Maximizes Faculty Engagement
