Integration of different competences in a group project in a basic course in mechanics in mechanical engineering
Paper i proceeding, 2014
The introductory course in mechanics in the first year of the Product Design Engineering
Program
(a three years Bachelor of Science program)
at Chalmers covers the topics of
statics and introduction to particle dynamics. An essential part of the course is a group
project and it is this project that will be presented here.
Usually a project in a course
in
mechanics has a tendency to focus only on analytical and numerical treatment of a system
that is given in advance.
In this case, however,
it is a completely open problem with no
specific solution. The aim of the project, which can be described as
a des
ign
-
implement (or
design
-
build) project, is to present a suggestion for a bridge (
pedestrians and cyclists
) over
one of the canals in Gothenburg. An important and unique feature, as distinguished from
a
fictive problem, is that
the project in this way deals with a real problem since there are
present plans for such bridges over the canals.
The results of the project should be
presented with sketches, presentation models, drawings and mechanical calculations on a
simplified model
. To support the
working process a team
of teachers from the areas of
Applied M
echanics,
Architecture
,
and C
ommunication are working with the project,
in order
to integrate
different competences.
This integration supports the students in achieving the
lear
ning outcomes
of the course,
and this will be inves
tigated in further detail here.
In
conclusion, the project contributes considerably
in connecting learning objectives, activities
and examination according to Constructive Alignment
.
Engineering mechanics
Integrated competences in group project
Mathematical modelling