Learning to Innovate Through Bioinspired Design

这个工程教育研究项目的重点是使用生物启发设计-即使用自然作为设计灵感-以便向机械工程学生教授创新。 该研究的重点是最佳实践，以教工程师在设计中借鉴自然的灵感。 这项研究将通过在德克萨斯州A M大学建立一个证书课程来融入课程。 希望获得证书的学生参加选定的选修课，费用为课程中的一个额外学分。 为了衡量该项目对学生学习的影响，计划在学生的大学经历和证书活动中进行定量和定性的纵向评估。 这个项目应该更好地告知学习方法成功地解决创新，并测试生物启发设计是否是一种有效的教学方法。 该项目也可能使机械工程成为一个更平易近人和有吸引力的主题，以学生谁是传统上代表性不足的工程。

This engineering education research project focuses on using bio-inspired design--i.e. using nature as an inspiration to design--in order to teach innovation to mechanical engineering students. The research focuses on best practices to teach engineers to draw on nature for inspiration in design. The research will be integrated into the curriculum by establishing a certificate program at Texas A&M University. Students who wish to obtain the certificate take selected electives, at the cost of one additional credit hour in the program. To measure the impact on the project on student learning, both quantitative and qualitative longitudinal assessments are planned throughout students' collegiate experience and certificate activities. This project should better inform what learning approaches successfully address innovation, and test whether bio-inspired design is an effective pedagogy. The project may also make mechanical engineering a more approachable and attractive subject to students who are traditionally under-represented in engineering.