Formula student as part of a mechanical engineering curriculum Dr Huw Davies – ENGIN

Presentation Structure Formula Student What was the purpose of this work? How did I go about the project? Data analysis and interpretation Summary

Formula Student “Promotes careers and engineering excellence, by challenging university students to design, build, develop market and compete as a team with a small single seater race car” (IMechE)

What was the purpose of this work? Explore the value of the Formula Student activity Evaluate benefits Define good practice Exploratory Aimed at generating hypotheses for later investigation rather than for purposes of illustrating

How did I go about the project? 1 Kvale, S Interviews: An Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing. Sage, Thousand Oaks Qualitative Investigation: Focus on answering a question Exploration: In depth semi-structured interviews Methodology: Seven Stages of an Interview investigation 1 Thematizing Designing Interviewing Transcribing Analyzing Verifying Reporting

Designing and Interviewing Selected interviewees Defined three stakeholder groups –Students –Universities –Engineering Profession Selection is an area of possible bias Interviews were semi-structured and free flowing Examined the interviewee’s belief in the value of Formula Student in a higher educational environment

Transcribing and Analysing (1) Analysing qualitative data generally involves Thematic exploration (based on words, concepts, literary devises, and non-verbal cues)

Transcribing and Analysing (2) Analysing qualitative data generally involves Moving through cycles of inductive and deductive reasoning (Identify and develop; Group together and refine where possible; adding to and refining) UK SPEC

Data analysis and interpretation (1) What is the opinion of students? ‘There is the flexibility to make things happen in terms of innovation’ ‘Students who are heavily involved with Formula Student graduate with a far better understanding of project management, time and resource management and the engineering design process’ ‘In addition, because they will have been involved in managing the work of other students and technical staff, they [students involved with Formula Student] generally have better people skills’ ‘It has to conform to industry standard design practises, professionalism and the need to improve’ Key Themes A.Enables engagement in the creative and innovative development of mechanical engineering technology B.Provides the opportunity to follow the design process through into product or service realisation and its evaluation C.Enables students to plan, budget, organise, direct and control tasks, people and resources D.Enables students to: resolve conflicts and create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships; communicate with others at all levels; and present and discuss proposals E.It is a starting point on the route to continuing professional development necessary to maintain and enhance competence in own area of practice

Data analysis and interpretation (2) What is the opinion of the universities? ‘Formula Student offers a means of stretching students into high-end design and analysis work, beyond that offered by the other projects’ ‘The students need to make design decisions and more importantly make it work’ ‘The students are required to develop partnerships with industry [to access facilities/funding]’ ‘Formula Student car is used in a range of recruitment activities, particularly as part of Open Days’ Key Themes A.Provides a platform to learn and develop new mechanical engineering theories and techniques B.Provides an opportunity to produce concept designs, and develop these into detailed designs C.Enables students to take responsibility for and control project operations D.Enables students to: identify, agree and lead work towards collective goals; prepare and deliver presentations on strategic matters; and prepare letters, documents and reports on complex matters E.Enables student involvement in the promotion of mechanical engineering through relevant institution activities

Data analysis and interpretation (3) What is the opinion of the engineering profession? ‘It is the objective to open up Formula Student with innovation such as by-wire systems and torque vectoring, but safety is paramount’’ ‘It is important that students experience working to time and plan and what happens to that when things go wrong’ ‘World of work is delivery orientated and Formula Student instils this as it is delivery focused’ ‘Formula Student is a mechanism to develop / empower student design decisions’ ‘The IMechE wants to attract more students into engineering and also wants more high quality graduates going out into industry. Formula Student covers both of these’ Key Themes A.Enables the promotion of new technologies B.Provides the student with the opportunity to implement design solutions and evaluate their effectiveness C.Provides the student with the opportunity to plan programmes and delivery of tasks, and identify resources and costs D.Provides the student with the opportunity to identify, agree and work towards collective goals E.Demonstrates a commitment to the profession and to the assistance of others with their own professional development, in particular young engineers

Summary (1) ‘…we expect more creativity, more innovation, more excellent technical skills…that will maintain the activities in the UK.’ 1 Formula student: supports nascent R&D activity. provides students with the greatest design experience. 1 RAEng (2006). Educating Engineers for the 21st Century: The Industry View

‘Technical skills must be supported by enabling skills that allow the engineer to operate effectively in a commercial working environment: communication skills; team-working skills; business awareness of the commercial implications of engineering decisions.’ 1 Formula Student integrates business knowledge / skills with the engineering / design skills pushes students to have a greater appreciation of value 1 RAEng (2006). Educating Engineers for the 21st Century: The Industry View Summary (2)

Engineering courses must become better aligned with the changing needs of business and industry. In particular, more and better quality project work is needed, based around real-life problems, ideally delivered in collaboration with industry. 1 Formula Student: –Motivates departments and students to look outside for partnerships with industry. –Promotes communication between students and external organisations. 1 RAEng (2006). Educating Engineers for the 21st Century: The Industry View Summary (3)

Summary (4) ‘It is important that we....ensure that we are providing education, training and challenges that address the future needs of industry, motivate students to come into engineering and stay in the profession.’ 1 Formula Student Supports recruitment of young students to university Fosters relationships which go beyond the Formula Student project itself. 1 RAEng (2006). Educating Engineers for the 21st Century: The Industry View

Formula Student: Educating Engineers for the 21st Century Status of University Teaching Engineering course for the 21st Century Industry engagement with undergraduate education Filling the ‘Pipeline’ Creativity, technology and business teaching

So what do we need to do to teach design? We need to set theory in context for students, develop critical thinking skills and then give them an opportunity to gain experience and awareness of design in multi-disciplined team environments. We need Formula Student! Final Thought

invite questions and thoughts about how this type of initiative might translate to other Schools?