Developing an Integrated Dynamical Systems Modelling Experience

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实际系统之间的区别，因为他们没有足够的机会将模型的行为与实际系统的行为进行比较。该项目正在开发一个集成的动力系统建模实验室，由罗斯-霍曼大学电气和机械工程系共享。该实验室模仿并改编了科罗拉多大学科罗拉多斯普林斯分校由Plett和Schmidt开发的跨学科控制实验室，以及西北大学由Freeman开发的动态系统和控制实验室。我们的实验室涉及罗斯-霍尔曼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中学生/高中生。让学生在实验室环境中接触动力系统，其中数学模型通常只能近似地描述系统行为，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.