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Client-based projects in freshman design

Publication ,  Conference
Saterbak, A; Embree, M; Oden, M
Published in: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings
January 1, 2012

Authentic, client-based projects form the foundation for a new one-semester freshman design course at Rice University. Prior to Introduction to Engineering Design (ENGI 120) in spring 2011, Rice University did not have any design-build courses for its freshman engineering students. At the same time, incoming students were reporting that one of their primary interests in engineering was to use their skills to solve real-world design problems, an opportunity that was only available in coursework during the senior year. Recognizing the need for a freshman engineering design experience, the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership (RCEL) and the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK) combined resources to begin this course. The primary goals for this course are to (a) provide an opportunity for students to experience the practical engineering design process even as they are immersed in fundamental math and science courses, (b) encourage students to experience how knowledge from these fundamental courses could be put to practical use, and (c) encourage retention in engineering. In ENGI 120, students learn the engineering design process and use it to solve meaningful problems drawn from local hospitals, local community partners, international communities, and around the Rice University campus. Each freshman design team is coached by an "Apprentice Leader," an upper-class student who is taking a course in engineering leadership sponsored by RCEL. Freshman design teams directly interview clients, complete a design context review, develop design criteria, and brainstorm and evaluate solutions. Student teams prototype and test their solutions in the OEDK, a multidisciplinary design workshop at Rice University. Recent projects have included modifying a wheelchair for a boy with arthrogryposis, building a medical examination bed for a clinic in Nicaragua, modifying a surrey bicycle for the facilities staff on campus, and developing an elbow mannequin for physicians to practice reduction for pediatric patients with nursemaid's elbow. Written and oral communications are strongly emphasized in this course. Student teams write weekly technical memos and give two oral presentations on their progress. Apprentice Leaders support freshman students in developing teamwork skills, providing feedback on written or oral reports, and fabricating prototypes in the OEDK. Assessment of the course over two semesters is presented. Survey results indicate that freshman students felt ENGI 120 helped them develop skills in engineering design, prototyping, and writing and editing technical documents. The course was less effective in helping students decide on an engineering major and see applications for their fundamental math and science courses in engineering design. © 2012 American Society for Engineering Education.

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Published In

ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings

EISSN

2153-5965

ISBN

9780878232413

Publication Date

January 1, 2012
 

Citation

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Saterbak, A., Embree, M., & Oden, M. (2012). Client-based projects in freshman design. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings.
Saterbak, A., M. Embree, and M. Oden. “Client-based projects in freshman design.” In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings, 2012.
Saterbak A, Embree M, Oden M. Client-based projects in freshman design. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2012.
Saterbak, A., et al. “Client-based projects in freshman design.” ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings, 2012.
Saterbak A, Embree M, Oden M. Client-based projects in freshman design. ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2012.

Published In

ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings

EISSN

2153-5965

ISBN

9780878232413

Publication Date

January 1, 2012