Design and Fabrication in Mechanical Design Education

This project focuses on:
(1) how the design process is enacted in Mechanical Design courses (such as HMC's ENGR177)
(2) how build projects relate to course learning outcomes in design and analysis

Mechanical design courses focus on the analysis, detailed design, and implementation of predominantly mechanical systems, mechanisms, and machine components. These courses generally build on both topics learned in foundational mechanical engineering subjects (like E83) and earlier exposure to the engineering design process through introductory courses (like E4). Our work aims to understand how instructors balance analytical skills, creativity, and detailed design in course activities. This work also investigates how students apply prior knowledge of the design process and how their understanding of the design process is further shaped by their experiences in a Mechanical Design course. We also look at where faculty and students hold differing perceptions of what course activities are considered design work and where design concepts might be obfuscated by an activity or class structure. Understanding these perceptions can help faculty reflect on their course design and identify where changes to course activities or framing are needed to meet instructional goals.

Fabrication projects are often included in Mechanical Design courses because they implement a full design process, including a physical implementation. Students apply and contextualize course material, build hands-on mechanical engineering skills, and experience professional practices such as teamwork and project management. This work aims to measure how student experiences align with these goals. We also seek to identify potential disconnects between how a fabrication project is executed and the design and analysis skills taught in the class. Understanding how fabrication decisions for Mechanical Design projects are made can help instructors develop projects that emphasize and build on the course material. These findings can also help improve project advising from both instructors and machine shop / makerspace staff.

Students working on this project in Fall 2024 will contribute to:
- developing a survey that will be distributed to mechanical engineering faculty, machine shop / makerspace staff, and students taking Mechanical Design courses
- developing interview questions for follow-up interviews with mechanical engineering faculty and machine shop / makerspace staff
- analyzing features and practices of Mechanical Design courses outside of HMC

Essay prompt (~1-2 paragraphs): Why are you interested in working on this project? What will you bring to the project and what do you hope to learn? Please also submit the names of two HMC professors as references who can comment on your work habits.