Developing an Integrated Dynamical Systems Modelling Experience

跨学科(99)在本科工程教育中，模型的使用是无处不在的，也是必不可少的。然而，学生往往不理解数学模型和真实系统之间的区别，因为他们没有足够的机会将模型的行为与真实系统的行为进行比较。该项目正在开发一个由Rose-Hulman机电工程系共享的综合动态系统建模实验室。该实验室模仿并改装了由Plett和Schmidt在科罗拉多大学斯普林斯分校开发的跨学科控制实验室，以及由弗里曼在西北大学开发的动态系统和控制实验室。我们的实验室包括Rose-Hulman的所有机械和电气工程专业的学生，以及通过我们的探索工程推广计划的初中生/高中生。让学生在实验室环境中接触动力系统，在实验室环境中，数学模型通常只导致对系统行为的近似描述，这有助于学生更好地理解模型的用途和局限性。

Interdisciplinary (99) The use of models is ubiquitous and essential in undergraduate engineering education. However, students often do not understand the distinction between a mathematical model and a real system because they do not have enough opportunities to compare the behavior of models with the behavior of real systems. This project is developing an integrated dynamical systems modeling laboratory shared between the departments of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at Rose-Hulman. The laboratory is modeled after and adapted from the Interdisciplinary Controls Lab developed at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs by Plett and Schmidt, and the Dynamic Systems and Controls Lab developed at Northwestern University by Freeman. Our laboratory involves all mechanical and electrical engineering students at Rose-Hulman, as well as middle/high school students through our Explore Engineering outreach program. Exposing students to dynamical systems in a laboratory setting, in which mathematical models often lead to only an approximate description of the system behavior, helps the students better understand the uses and limitations of models.