Using a Series of Advertising Videos to Illustrate Solid Mechanics and Material-Related Design Issues in the Engineering Technology Curriculum

Helping students relate what they learn in an engineering technology course to actual physical designs is a worthy goal. Five years ago in an attempt to help students see how knowledge of material properties translates into how materials are used in the design of mechanical parts led me to the use of a series of advertising videos produced by the Ford Motor Company. The videos were on a DVD titled, “The Truth About Trucks” and were distributed through Ford Dealerships. The video was made to promote the newly redesigned Ford F-150 truck. I created an accompanying question worksheet that required the students to watch the series of videos from the DVD and answer questions about specific engineering and material-related items that they observed. This paper will explain how I used these advertising videos in class to help illustrate material selection and solid mechanics topics. It will discuss what aspects of the assignment helped engage the students and how it helped create awareness in the students that their everyday life is surrounded by engineering design.