Improving Student Learning in Mechanical Engineering Using Low Cost 3D Printed Laboratory Devices in Active Learning Experiences

该项目旨在通过创建主动学习练习来帮助学生学习机械工程中的抽象概念，从而服务于国家利益。该项目特别关注与振动和控制相关的概念。抽象概念的学习可以通过涉及现实世界现象的有指导的探索来加强。这种探索经常发生在实验室里，学生们使用特殊的设备来探索概念的应用。不幸的是，工程实验室设备通常不能随身携带在实验室外使用，而且可能很昂贵。该项目将开发3D打印实验室设备，支持学生学习机械工程概念，并且价格低廉、紧凑、模块化和便携。这些设备可以在实验室使用，也可以在课堂演示和家庭中使用。类似于参与本科生研究体验，本科生研究设计小组将规划、打印和评估新设备。因此，本科生将参与设计和生产实验室设备，以支持其他学生的学习。这些设备将与采用学习科学方法设计的即用型学习活动捆绑在一起。包含设备计划和相关学习活动的在线存储库将使其他工程项目能够采用这种方法。该项目的研究成果将为在降低教育成本的同时改进工程教育提供一种新的途径。本项目的目标是提高学生在机械工程核心课程--动力学、振动、机械设计和控制理论--中的学习。设备和课堂活动将采用Hanson的活动设计方法进行设计，并将重点演示振动的基本概念，如自然频率、对初始不平衡条件的自由响应以及对应用于系统的外部输入的强迫响应。该项目将解决两个研究问题：(1)哪些类型的设备将通过测量机械、电气和机电系统的关键物理行为来增强学生的学习？(2)在课堂学习活动中使用这些设备的学生和设计这些设备的学生对学习有什么影响？学生的学习和专业成果将在课堂和实验室课程中进行评估，将在学习活动中使用这些设备的学生的结果与没有进行学习活动的对照组的结果进行比较。学生的学习将使用试题、家庭作业和反思写作进行评估。学生的专业发展将使用既定的成长心态、动机和工程认同感工具进行评估。鉴于生产这些设备的成本很低，这种方法可以在机械工程教育界广泛采用，以改善学生的学习。该项目得到了NSF改善本科生STEM教育计划：教育和人力资源计划的支持，该计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生的STEM教育效率。通过参与的学生学习路径，该计划支持有前景的实践和工具的创建、探索和实施。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by creating active learning exercises that help students learn abstract concepts in mechanical engineering. The project focuses specifically on concepts related to vibrations and control. Learning abstract concepts can be enhanced through guided explorations that involve real world phenomena. Such explorations often occur in the laboratory, where students use special equipment to explore applications of the concepts. Unfortunately, engineering laboratory equipment is not usually portable for use outside of the lab and can be expensive. This project will develop 3D printed laboratory devices that support student learning of mechanical engineering concepts and that are also inexpensive, compact, modular, and portable. The devices can be used in the laboratory, but also in classroom demonstrations and at home. Analogous to engaging in undergraduate research experiences, an undergraduate Research Design Group will plan, print, and evaluate the new devices. Thus, undergraduates will be involved in design and production of laboratory devices that are intended to support the learning of other students. The devices will be bundled with ready-to-use learning activities designed using a learning sciences approach. An online repository containing device plans and associated learning activities will enable other engineering programs to adopt this approach. The results of this project may present a new approach for improving engineering education while decreasing the cost of education.The goal of this project is to improve student learning in core mechanical engineering courses, namely, dynamics, vibrations, machine design, and control theory. The devices and classroom activities will be designed by adapting Hanson’s Activity Design Methodology and will focus on demonstrating fundamental concepts of vibrations such as natural frequency, free response to an initial disequilibrium condition, and forced response to an external input applied to a system. The project will address two research questions: (1) What types of devices will enhance student learning by measuring key physical behaviors of mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical systems? (2) What is the impact on learning for students using these devices in classroom learning activities and for the students who design these devices? Student learning and professional outcomes will be assessed in lecture and laboratory courses, comparing the results of students who used the devices in the learning activities to a control group that did not have the learning activities. Student learning will be assessed using exam questions, homework, and reflective writing. Students’ professional development will be assessed using established instruments for growth mindset, motivation, and engineering identity. Given the low cost of producing these devices, this approach could be widely adopted in the mechanical engineering education community to improve student learning. This project is supported by the NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education Program: Education and Human Resources Program, which supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.