Integrating Laboratory Practices and Undergraduate Research to the Power Engineering Curriculum

工程-电气(55)波多黎各大学的电力工程小组正在将实验室实践整合到课程中，以阐明课程的基本概念，并正在增加电力工程本科生研究的机会，以激发学生对科学探索的兴趣和渴望。这项工作在很大程度上借鉴了其他电力工程项目开发的成功学习工具，并对这些工具进行调整，以适应基于边做边学和合作学习概念的项目。值得注意的是，1999年国家科学基金会研讨会上展示的用于电力系统教育的PowerLearn多媒体模块得到了利用。这些经验正在改善学生的学习，并确保将有合格的专业人员来满足美国和波多黎各日益增长的能源需求。用于研究电力系统部件的新仪器正在被用于实施这些战略，并与电机实验室相结合，组成新的能源系统仪器实验室(ESIL)。ESIL为学生和教授提供了一个探索工程思想和概念、基本原则以及当前电力工程问题和新研究领域的环境。Esil的活动和资源激励学生学习更多关于能源原理的知识，培养终身学习的愿望。教授们能够将教学和研究结合起来，并开发新的教学方法来改善本科教育。Esil的活动包括传统的实验室实践、融入课程的实验室实践、本科研究项目、演示、研讨会和短期课程。技术和协作/合作学习技术的使用是Esil的一个关键要素。

Engineering - Electrical (55) The Power Engineering Group at the University of Puerto Rico is integrating laboratory practices within courses in order to illustrate fundamental concepts of the course, and is increasing opportunities for undergraduate research in power engineering to spark student interest and desire for scientific exploration. The effort draws substantially on successful learning tools developed at other power engineering programs, and adapts these tools to tailor a program based on learn-by-doing and cooperative learning concepts. Notably, the PowerLearn multimedia modules for power system education, as showcased at a 1999 NSF Workshop, are utilized. These experiences are improving student learning and ensure that there will be qualified professionals to meet the ever-growing energy demands of the U.S. and Puerto Rico. New instrumentation for the study of power system components is being used to implement these strategies, and is combined with the Electric Machines laboratory to form the new Energy Systems Instrumentation Laboratory (ESIL). The ESIL provides both students and professors an environment to explore engineering ideas and concepts, fundamental principles as well as current issues and new research areas in power engineering. Activities and resources at ESIL motivate students to learn more about energy principles, cultivating a desire for life-long learning. Professors are able to combine teaching and research, and develop new teaching methods for the improvement of undergraduate education.Activities at ESIL include traditional laboratory practices, laboratory practicesintegrated within courses, undergraduate research projects, demonstrations, seminars and short-courses. The use of technology and collaborative/cooperative learning techniques is a key element at ESIL.