Utilizing Project-based Multidisciplinary Design Activities to Enhance STEM Education

Andy S. Zhang earned his master’s in mechanical engineering from the City College of New York in 1987 and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in 1995. Zhang’s research area includes materials testing, product design and prototyping, CAD/CAE, and mechatronics. From 2007 to 2009, Zhang served as a member of the Pre-engineering Advisory Commission of Advisory Council for Career and Technical Education of NYC Department of Education, which was designed to help high schools to enhance existing technology curricula and to create new courses to meet the New York State Education Department’s new technology standard. Zhang is also a member of the NYC FIRST Robotic Competition’s Planning Committee. This committee is responsible to provide training to FIRST mentors and high school students on robot building and programming. For the past three years, Zhang has organized numerous weekends and after school robotic training workshops for high school students.