Culminating Team Design Project Reinforces Multiple Problem Solving Principles And Skill Sets Of An Introduction To Engineering Technology Course

Central Connecticut State University offers an “Introduction to Engineering Technology” course aimed at providing an overview of the engineering profession, reviewing basic engineering fundamentals, and developing problem-solving skills and practices so that these techniques may be applied to general engineering subject matter. Open to the entire university and void of any prerequisites, the introductory course has been very popular and often serves as a valuable vehicle for recruitment of students with an interest in science and technology into our program. Classroom lectures and activities focus on various topics: the engineering profession; the design process; engineering solutions and problem-solving format; dimensional unit conversions; statistics; mechanics; electrical theory; mass balance; and energy concepts. To reinforce all the baseline topics listed through experiential learning, a team design project is introduced towards the end of the semester. In order to promote positive team interaction, an instructional workshop on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is given to assist with the make-up of the team mix. Following team formation, design projects are completed using the previously learned steps of the engineering design process. The project requires conceptual understanding and the use of mechanical, mass balance, and energy formulae. Given project information is provided in both customary and SI units necessitating numerous dimensional unit conversions. The communication stage of the design process is completed through oral presentations and written reports. Projects are evaluated by the team’s use of all design process steps and the application of basic engineering concepts and formulas to the design analysis. Students rank the team design projects and evaluate the contributions of self and others within their team. Most of the course learning outcomes are substantiated by this culminating team design project with conclusions based upon a review of results from class surveys and project assessment.