Using Project Based Learning in a Mechanical Design Course to Enhance Engineering Skills: Lesson Learned

This paper describes the results of adding a Project Based Learning (PBL) pedagogy in a core senior level course part of the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program. The work is a close collaboration between engineering and education faculty. The course discussed herein is Mechanical Design II, a three-credit-hour course, the fourth course in the mechanical design sequence of Statics and Strength of Materials, Applied Materials Science, and Mechanical Design I and II. The course, offered online, covers more advanced mechanical design topics, including design and analysis of gear drive systems, bearings, shaft design, fasteners, etc. During the past year, two new exercises and associated assessments were introduced in the Mechanical Design curriculum. The first assignment asked the students to design a conveyor system shaft, including drawing the shear and moment diagrams, and selection of materials. The students were asked to submit their work as an excel "simulator" and to investigate the effect of the shaft speed on the overall calculations. The second assignment asked the students to independently research on a new tribology-related topic and to make a presentation to the class based on their assigned topic. The topic was chosen by the instructor from the Handbook of Tribology. In all instances, the students were asked to evaluate and grade all their peers' submissions, to list either lesson learned from the presentations, and to provide at least three ways each shaft design work can be improved. In addition, at the beginning and at the end of the semester the students were also asked to complete pre- and post- surveys related to engineering skills. The assessments results support the continued use of these PBL exercises to develop a better understanding not only of the technical content, but also to improve the students' engineering soft skills, and thus their preparedness and readiness for the workforce.