Title: Center For Advanced Manufacturing And Production: Enhancing Engineering Education Through Team Based Multidisciplinary Projects
Abstract: Abstract NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract Session 2793 Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Production: Enhancing Engineering EducationThrough Team-based Multidisciplinary Projects Michael J. Batchelder, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Daniel F. Dolan, Mechanical Engineering Department Sriniviasa L. Iyer, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Abstract The role of engineers has changed in recent years from solitary designers in the laboratory to members of teams that have to sell their ideas and work with customers. Engineering education is changing to meet the needs of the changing role of engineers. In response to these changes, the goal of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Production (CAMP) is to improve the education of undergraduate engineering students through team-based multidisciplinary projects. CAMP focuses on combining the individual student’s discipline expertise with the multidisciplinary team requirements in design and manufacture of a complex product. Realistic projects large enough to require teams provide the basis for experiential learning in communication skills, teamwork, and leadership abilities. Engineering students with at least a 3.0 GPA or special expertise are invited to join CAMP as juniors. In addition to taking required courses in manufacturing, multidisciplinary design, business, and networking, the CAMP students become leaders in multidisciplinary team projects as they progress through the program. CAMP contributes to the improvement of undergraduate education by involving students in challenging projects in competition with engineering students from across the country. "National norming" is an important part of CAMP -- students compete in national engineering contests. The centerpiece CAMP projects are Sunrayce, SAE Mini-Baja, and Formula SAE Mini-Indy races. The teams are responsible for not only design and manufacturing, but also fund raising, publicity, and finding sponsors -- skills that readily translate into their profession when they graduate. Industry sponsored projects are also part of CAMP. Projects appropriate to the academic calendar and student abilities provide experience for CAMP students and an aid to industry. The three faculty co-directors work with six graduate students and a dozen undergraduates who are managers and mentors for 33 CAMP student leaders who in turn lead multidisciplinary projects which involve approximately 100 students. Since many of these projects are connected with courses, approximately 400 students are indirectly affected. Introduction The role of engineers has changed in recent years from solitary designers in the laboratory to members of teams that have to sell their ideas and work with customers. Engineering education is changing to meet these changed needs; however, teaching effective teamwork is difficult. "Teamwork: industry wants it and ABET 2000 requires it. But effectively implementing and managing student groups for class projects, lab work and presentations is a complex affair, one