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注册了一个跨学科、协作的高级顶石设计项目，他们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，涉及团队对系统的多个要素进行调查，如无线通信；使用替代能源设备；控制系统设计；用于计算的数据分析；有效载荷材料设计；飞行路径预测和空气动力学；风数据研究、形状记忆复合材料、热传递分析；以及开发气球跟踪系统。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)让他们接触到应用和尖端的设计项目；(2)鼓励他们参与一个综合的、跨学科的课程，通过跨工程学科的工作促进他们的参与；(3)让他们参与应用技术的方法和从学术环境过渡到专业环境所需的技能。该项目通过向学生介绍最先进的技术和跨学科项目中的设计诊所，为学生提供有意义的经验和对行业标准的洞察；并鼓励他们从事技术可转移的设计，并通过为工程课程创建新的项目来确定成功。通过系统地评估从事跨学科高级设计方法的工科学生相对于传统设计项目的学生的准备和能力，正在进行一项关于拟议方法的价值的纵向研究。

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.