A Laser Based Flow Visualization System For Fluid Mechanics Instruction

An interactive turbulent water flow facility and laser-based flow visualization system are used to reinforce fundamental concepts in the instruction of fluid mechanics. For this pilot study, the laboratory instructional module was incorporated into a single topic within the curriculum of a graduate-level fluid mechanics course. The laboratory treatment was used in addition to a traditional lecture-based treatment of the topic. Assessment methods including a content knowledge test and attitude surveys were used to examine the impact of the module on student learning and interest in engineering. Results revealed that the instructional module had added value over the lecture for increasing students’ content knowledge (+50%). In addition, the visualization module received a significantly higher rating on the attitude survey than the lecture method for level of enjoyment, learning of content, and the development of interest in engineering.