This NSF funded project was a collaborative research effort that focused on the development and implementation of an open source, online virtual tensile strength testing simulation. The simulation was designed to emphasize the equations used as part of tensile testing rather than solely on the use of the tensile testing equipment. The resulting simulator was utilized by engineering technology and engineering students in higher education as well as pre-engineering high school students in the Project Lead The Way network. The research tested whether or not an online learning simulation can be effective for tensile testing instruction. The developed simulation was designed to focus on and exploit concepts to enhance student ability of interpreting the resultant stress-strain curve by applying mathematical concepts of graphing, predicting and applied knowledge of material properties. Further, the open source tool was developed with a prepare, practice, perform framework allowing students with different knowledge sets to choose the most appropriate level of scaffolding to match their comfort level, enhancing self-efficacy. Analysis of the gathered results of each learner for the pre- and post-test showed a significant improvement after the experience, the pre-test mean score was 53.16 points, while the post-test mean was 72.42 (out of 80), suggesting the online learning simulation had a positive effect on learning. This project has since expanded tensile testing to include hardness and impact testing. Final results will be presented for all three testing methods using both high school and college students as test subjects comparing pre- and post-test results.
Development Of An Open Source High School Text For Engineering
