Enhancing Integrated Technology and Interdisciplinary Based Engineering Education Through the High Altitude Balloon (HAB) Experience

跨学科（99）计算机、电气、工业、材料和机械工程专业的学生参加了一个跨学科、协作的高级顶点设计项目，正在使用一种集成技术的高空气球（HAB）系统，该系统发射到地球大气层的近空间区域（海拔85,000 - 100,000英尺）。HAB系统是一个系统集成项目，包括对具有多个元素的系统进行小组调查，例如无线通信；使用替代能源装置；控制系统设计；数据分析计算；有效载荷材料设计；航迹预测与空气动力学；风数据研究，形状记忆复合材料，传热分析；开发一个气球跟踪系统。通过这个项目的工作，学生深入研究一个复杂的工程系统，(1)使他们接触到应用和前沿的设计项目；(2)鼓励他们参与综合的跨学科课程，通过跨所有工程学科的工作促进参与；(3)让学生掌握从学术环境过渡到专业环境所需的应用技术和技能方法。该项目通过在跨学科项目中向学生介绍最先进的技术和设计诊所，为学生提供有意义的经验和对行业标准的见解；并鼓励他们从事技术可转让的设计，并通过为工程课程创造新的项目来决定成功。通过系统地评估从事跨学科高级设计方法的工程专业学生与传统设计专业学生的准备和能力，正在对拟议方法的价值进行纵向研究。

Interdisciplinary (99) Computer, electrical, industrial, materials, and mechanical engineering students enrolled in an interdisciplinary, collaborative senior capstone design project are employing an integrated technology High Altitude Balloon (HAB) system launched into the near-space region (85,000 - 100,000 ft above sea level) of the earth's atmosphere. The HAB system is a systematic integrated project that involves team investigation of a system with multiple elements such as wireless communication; working with alternative energy devices; control system design; data analysis for computing; payload material design; flight path prediction and aerodynamics; wind data studies, shape memory composites, heat transfer analysis; and developing a balloon tracking system. Through working on this project, students delve into a complex engineering system that (1) exposes them to applied and cutting-edge design projects; (2) encourages them to participate in an integrated, inter-disciplinary curriculum that facilitates engagement by working across all engineering disciplines; (3) involves them in methods of applied technology and skills necessary to transition from academic to professional environments.The project provides students with meaningful experiences and insight into industry standards by introducing them to the state-of-the-art technologies and design clinics in inter-disciplinary projects; and encouraging them to work on technology transferable designs and determine success by creating new projects for engineering curriculum. A longitudinal study on the value of the proposed approach is being conducted by systematically evaluating the preparedness and ability of engineering students engaged in the interdisciplinary senior design approach compared to students in the traditional design program.