1. Dr. Matthew J. Traum Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering University of North Texas Please send correspondence to mtraum@unt.edu © 2009 Matthew J. Traum Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT Solar Winches: Experiential Learning Applied to a Freshman Engineering Course Redesign

2. Design & Build Project: Track Layout The Race Track and Race Protocols 16-bracket, double-elimination, head-ups competition Green Lane and White Lane, each approximately 1 meter wide and exactly 25 meters long. Beyond the finish line, a 0.5- meter-long Stopping Zone will be provided. 1.025.0 1.0 Green Lane White Lane Stopping Zone (0.5) Green Start Green Winch White Start White Winch Finish Line Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT

3. THEORY EXPERI- MENTAT- ION DESIGN & TEST FINAL PRODUCT & REPORT Increasing Cognitive Complexity (Mirrors Engineering Design Process) Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Evaluation Synthesis Perform Quantitative Orientation Calculations Conduct Prescribed Research Create Hardware to Meet Goals Integrate Hardware into a System Experiential Learning in a Design-and-Build Project J. Phillips, M. J. Traum, C. Williamson, “Lesson Redesign – A Faculty Doorway into Experiential Learning Design,” Proceedings of the American Association of Colleges and Universities Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., November, 2009, accepted.

4. Theory: Performing Quantitative Orientation Calculations Using computers to determine fundamental constants and calculate results from orientation calculations Solving analytical problems in office hours Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT THEORY

5. Experiments: Conducting Prescribed Research Testing DC motor output and efficiency using different types of dynamometers (the dynos were used as design-and-build projects in another MEE class) Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT EXPERI- MENTAT -ION

6. Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT EXPERI- MENTAT -ION Experiments: Conducting Prescribed Research Links to experimental research: students discovered a solar saturation phenomenon, which is now the topic of a research paper. C. M. Fallwell, D. W. Davis, and M. J. Traum, “Solar Energy Concentration for Thermoelectric Power Generation at the Sub-Dekawatt Scale,” Proceedings of the 41st AIAA Thermophysics Conference, University of Texas – San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, June 22 - 25, 2008.

7. Experiments: Conducting Prescribed Research Testing wheel-ground friction factors and meshing gear friction coefficients in the lab. Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT EXPERI- MENTAT -ION

8. Design & Test: Creating Hardware to Meet Goals Students developed their own experimental techniques to test components they were designing. Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT DESIGN & TEST

9. Final Product: Integrating Hardware into a System A variety of designs and building materials were used Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT FINAL PRODUCT & REPORT

10. Final Product: Presenting Results & Teamwork Designs were presented in both oral and written formats, emphasizing WHY design decisions were made and HOW designs work. All students worked in teams, bolstering individual strengths, learning teamwork, and building peer cohorts and connections. Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT FINAL PRODUCT & REPORT

11. Next Steps: Evaluating How Students Approach Design Prototype Presented in Class Winning Winch-and-Cart Design ? ?

12. Dr. Matthew J. Traum Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering University of North Texas Please send correspondence to mtraum@unt.edu © 2009 Matthew J. Traum Thermal Fluid Sciences Group @ UNT Solar Winches: Experiential Learning Applied to a Freshman Engineering Course Redesign