A Mechatronics Curriculum and Packaging Automation Laboratory Facility

工程--工程技术(58)该项目通过在实验室的实践经验和实习，解决工程技术中机电一体化的学习问题。它正在加强现有的六门电气和机械工程技术课程；开发两门新的机电工程技术课程；并建立一所新的机电工程实验室设施，提供设计、控制和集成包装机械系统的实践经验。在这样做的过程中，它融入了体验式学习，使课程更有益、更实用，对学生更具吸引力。调查人员正在与当地行业合作，这些行业正在捐赠新设备，并从这个项目中招聘大量实习生。在有经验的评估员的指导下，正在适当的时间进行形成性和总结性评价，以评估课程材料、目标、结果、学生学习、经验学习和赠款的总体影响。传播计划包括会议报告、期刊出版物、参加行业贸易展会和行业出版物。更广泛的影响包括传播材料，努力招收少数族裔学生加入该项目，重点是使实验室材料保持性别中立，以及提供符合当地行业需求的毕业生。

Engineering - Engineering Technology (58)The project is addressing the learning of mechatronics in engineering technology through hands-on experience in the laboratory and through internships. It is enhancing six existing courses in electrical and mechanical engineering technology; developing two new mechatronics engineering technology courses; and establishing one new mechatronics laboratory facility to provide hands-on experience in designing, controlling, and integrating packaging machinery systems. In doing this it is incorporating experiential learning to make the courses more beneficial, practical, and appealing to students. The investigators are partnering with local industries, which are donating new equipment and hiring a substantial number of interns from this program. Formative and summative evaluations, under the direction of an experienced evaluator, are being performed at appropriate times for assessment of curricular materials, objectives, outcomes, student learning, experiential learning, and overall impact of the grant. The dissemination plan includes conference presentations, journal publications, participation in industry trade shows, and industrial publications. Broader impacts include the dissemination of the materials, efforts to recruit minority students into the program, a focus on making the laboratory material gender neutral, and providing graduates that meet the needs of local industries.