Manufacturing as a Vehicle to Illustrate Principles of Science, Mathematics, and Engineering

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The objective of this project is to stimulate and assist teachers of future scientists and engineers in their efforts as instructors and advisors by introducing them to new developments and illustrating applications of their disciplines to the production of consumer goods, i.e. manufacturing. Specifically, the project conducts short courses using the Penn State University Manufacturing laboratories to assist large numbers of faculty (science, mathematics, and engineering) from other colleges and universities to learn new ideas and techniques in their teaching discipline to add vitality to and improve their undergraduate teaching abilities. The project is designed to accommodate a large number of participants, and thus will focus both upon the two- and four-year coalition of the Penn State Commonwealth campuses and minority colleges and universities associated with Penn State. The association between undergraduate courses and the basic principles that are used in the manufacture of consumer products are used as a vehicle so as to stimulate excitement and the recognition of the relevance of the freshman and sophomore undergraduate science, mathematics and engineering subject matter. Students in engineering, science and mathematics in the first two years of college are often taught the basic principles with the use of abstract models that have little relevance to "real world" applications. However, manufacturing processes and systems and the techniques used to evaluate quality often illustrate principles of science, mathematics and engineering. The conduct of this undergraduate faculty enhancement project will use manufacturing as a vehicle to illustrate the relevant application of basic scientific, mathematical and engineering principles. Illustrations are developed, simulated, and modeled to provide a firm relationship between the principle and manufacturing application. Through this procedure the disciplinary capabilities and teaching skills of undergraduate faculty in science, mathematics and engineering will be enhanced. Further, the use of manufacturing as a vehicle demonstrates the relevance of the understanding and application of the basic principles to our country's economic vitality.