Mechanics of Materials: Facilitating a Hands-On Learning Experience with 3D Printing

建筑环境的健壮性和安全性在很大程度上取决于工程师对固体物体在承受应力和应变时的行为的理解。材料力学研究固体物体受力时的行为，是许多工程学科中的一门重要基础课程。这是机械、土木、航空航天、环境和核工程专业的必修课。目前，在大多数工科本科课程中，这门课程都是以非常理论性的方式教授，主要依靠教科书分析、插图和例子来交流关键概念。相比之下，实践学习被证明在吸引学生进入课堂方面非常有效，导致更好地留住工程专业的学生，特别是在工程学中代表性较低的人，如女学生。拟议的项目将通过使用实践学习技术来加强材料力学本科生的教育。具体地说，3D打印的文物将由学生创建和操纵。此外，将向学生和教职员工提供一个网站和一本电子教科书。将在国内和国际上与伙伴机构一起实施实践学习方法。将开展的活动包括开发实用的、可获得的教材，通过使用3D打印技术帮助本科生学习材料力学的概念，将这些教材纳入本科课程以支持实践学习经验，以及向伙伴机构分发教材。项目小组还将研究实践学习方法对材料力学本科水平课程的学生学习、自我效能、知识保留和满意度的影响。

The robustness and safety of the built environment is heavily dependent on engineers' understanding of the behavior of solid objects when they are subject to stresses and strains. Mechanics of materials, the study of how solid objects behave when forces are applied to them, is an important foundational course in many engineering disciplines. It is a required course for mechanical, civil, aerospace, environmental, and nuclear engineering majors. Currently, in most engineering undergraduate programs, this subject is taught in a very theoretical way, relying primarily on textbook analyses, illustrations and examples to communicate key concepts. In contrast, hands-on learning has been shown to be highly effective at engaging students in the classroom, leading to better retention of engineering majors, particularly persons underrepresented in engineering such as female students. The proposed project will enhance undergraduate education in mechanics of materials by using hands-on learning techniques. Specifically, 3D-printed artifacts will be created and manipulated by the students. Additionally, a website and an e-textbook will be made available to students and faculty. The hands-on learning approach will be implemented with partner institutions nationally and internationally.Activities to be carried out include the development of practical, accessible instructional materials for facilitating undergraduate learning of concepts in mechanics of materials through the use of 3D-printing technology, incorporation of the instructional materials into the undergraduate curriculum to support the hands-on learning experiences, and dissemination of instructional materials to partner institutions. The project team will also conduct research on the impact of the hands-on learning approach on student learning, self-efficacy, knowledge retention, and satisfaction in the undergraduate level course in mechanics of materials.