It takes almost two full years of college-level engineering education before one ever gets to use a software program to help design a real device. However, software packages that help to predict product performance including finite element analysis, solid modeling, fluid dynamic analysis, and circuit simulators are an essential part of any 21st century engineer's toolbox. For this reason, I would like to write a short shout out to a teacher at my old high school who is currently using a piece of software to help her AP physics class design their final project.
When I was told that I was going to be able to make a trebuchet for credit, I could not have been more excited:
"Just give me a saw, wood, and steel so I can make that rock fly!" Little did I know that I was going to have to do analysis before I got to actually start swinging a hammer. Truth be told, I knew nothing about trebuchets or how to make sure mine would throw the rock into the football field rather than my face. I am sure my physics teacher was more than aware of this fact as well, and this is why she set us up with a little piece of software that let us adjust mass, lever arm length, and sling length in order to optimize virtual performance.
My time spent in the laboratory was invaluable not only in that it helped me to build the best trebuchet in the class (yes!), but it also taught me quite a few things about how simulation software does not always tell the "truth." Not blindly trusting what the computer spits out at you is a lesson that even some veteran engineers struggle with. I have always thought this was a great activity that promoted learning on many levels, and I would suggest that any science/technology teacher incorporate some sort of simulation software that leads to design choices into their curriculum.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Great post! Your blog is looking great as well.
Dr. Folkestad
Post a Comment