Participation Of Experienced Students In Introducing Freshman Students To Engineering Experimentation

Experimental measurements and data analysis are a key component of the suite of skills that all engineering students must acquire during their undergraduate studies. However, traditional curricula steer engineering students first to labs in the basic sciences such as physics and chemistry. Engineering labs are not introduced until the sophomore year; sometimes, even later. In this paper, the authors describe a novel collaborative effort between freshmen students and more-experienced students (sophomore, senior and graduate students), in developing an experiment of relevance to industry and commerce. The experienced students collaborated in developing the test apparatus and test procedures. Then they mentored the freshmen in conducting the test, collecting data, analyzing the results and generating recommendations. The objective of this experiment was to measure the greatest height from which aluminum beverage cans may be dropped without appreciable damage to the can structure. The project was divided into different tasks, and the tasks distributed to three classes in various engineering curriculums. Tasks were assigned based on course emphases; to allow students to apply their course work. One class graphically designed the testing system. The second class manufactured the testing system and provided a prototype. The freshman class was assigned the task of testing the cans and analyzing the results. It provided for a vertically integrated learning experience, where experienced students were able to demonstrate to less-experienced students on how their use of the tools and skills has progressively grown more sophisticated.