Collaborative Research: Developing a Student Learning Strategy to Bridge Virtual Learning and Hands-on Activity in Organic Solar Energy Education

截止日期-1244707,1244079个合作机构：老道明大学诺福克州立大学项目描述具有太阳能背景的工程师有很大的需求，他们拥有解决问题的技能，能够成功地解决与实施新的太阳能技术相关的挑战。该项目正在通过开发和提供一系列虚拟学习材料和实践活动，提高学生探索与太阳能技术有关的基本原理的能力，试图改变目前提供有机物理和光学相关课程的方式。该项目通过将主题与相关的、引人注目的太阳能挑战联系起来，同时向学生介绍潜在的系统思维原理，丰富了电气和计算机工程的顶峰项目经验。该项目收集数据，通过分析实验室报告和海报演示来评估学生的推理、调查和解决问题的技能。对学生学习效果的评价是研究学生将理论知识运用到实际生活中的能力。特别是，该项目正在研究如何使用虚拟学习资源来提高学生在动手活动中进行分析、进行测试、解释结果和解决问题的能力。布罗德意义该项目对太阳能教育的重点是帮助解决能源安全的全球优先事项，以及高素质科学家和工程师的严重短缺，以对国家及其相关经济产生积极影响。多所大学的合作带来了电气工程多个学科的专业知识，同时也影响了本科以下和高等水平的课程。与该项目相关的机构正在协调和实施这一努力，跨越不同的工科学生群体和地点，增加了广泛接触和积极影响的可能性。该项目正在创建一个可扩展的模型，用于开发工程课程材料，这些材料可以被广泛的大学使用，这些大学不受地理限制。北卡罗来纳州立大学和北卡罗来纳州立大学的合作推广计划还将通过以下方式扩大STEM社区：“NanoDays”纳米技术教育节；学生、教师和普通公众易于适应的活动；重点关注未被充分代表的少数族裔和女性学生的暑期研究计划；以及在各种小学展示太阳能技术。

DUE - 1244707, 1244079 COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS: Old Dominion University (ODU)Norfolk State University (NSU)PROJECT DESCRIPTION There is a significant demand for engineers with a solar energy background that possess the problem-solving skills to successfully tackle the challenges associated with implementing new solar technologies. This project is enhancing students' ability to explore the underlying principles associated with solar technology by developing and providing a mixture of virtual learning materials and hands-on activities, in an attempt to transform the ways that organic physics and optics related courses are currently being offered. The project is enriching electrical and computer engineering capstone project experiences by connecting topics to relevant, compelling challenges in solar energy, while simultaneously introducing students to underlying systems-thinking principles.The project is collecting data to assess the students' reasoning, investigative, and problem-solving skills by analyzing lab reports and poster presentations. The evaluation of student learning outcomes is studying the students' ability to apply their theoretical understanding in real situations. In particular, the project is examining how the use of virtual learning resources can improve a student's ability to perform analysis, conduct testing, interpret results, and solve problems in their hands-on activities.BROADER SIGNIFICANCE The project's focus on solar energy education is helping address the global priority on energy security and the critical shortage of highly qualified scientists and engineers to positively impact the nation and its related economy. The multi-university partnership brings expertise in multiple disciplines of electrical engineering, while also impacting both lower and upper undergraduate level courses. The institutions associated with the project are coordinating and implementing the effort across a diverse set of engineering student populations and locations, increasing the potential for broad exposure and positive impact. The project is creating a scalable model for developing engineering course material that can be adapted for use by a wide range of universities, which are not limited by geography. The collaborative outreach programs of ODU and NSU will also broaden STEM communities by providing: a "NanoDays" nanotechnology educational festival; readily adaptable activities for students, teachers, and the general public; summer research programs that focus on underrepresented minority and female students; and demonstrations of solar technologies in a wide variety of elementary schools.