Training versus teaching

Industry and students clamor for increased training related to engineering design and analysis methods. Often, students are hired based on the suite of software packages and DFM methods with which they are familiar as opposed to their knowledge of the fundamentals and their ability to solve open ended design problems. Papers are invited in the broad area of design education with respect to issues such as:

• What are the differences between design education and software competency?
• As computing and communication costs have facilitated the effective outsourcing of many engineering positions, how can engineers compete beyond software suites?
• Should the fundamentals of statics and dynamics still be taught given the availability of fast solvers with hundreds of thousands of elements?
• How should new and established design methods be introduced into the undergraduate curriculum?
• Should undergraduates be exposed to design research?
• Are the ABET program outcomes relevant?
• How can the success of design education be quantified?

Sports equipment design and manufacturing

Students love design and they often love sports, so what better way to promote learning while possibly also creating a new useful product idea? This session invites papers describing the design and/or manufacture of sports equipment created in design and/or manufacturing classes. From design details such as synthesizing mechanism to guide human motion on exercise machines, to aesthetics and production details, all aspects of design and manufacturing are welcomed. Papers should comment on the educational effectiveness of the use of sports equipment in design and manufacturing courses.

Call for Papers