scholarly journals A methodology for civil engineering technology senior capstone projects with public, private, and federal agency collaboration to assist underserved communities

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Knakiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Federal Agency ◽  
Engineering Technology ◽  
Underserved Communities ◽  
Capstone Projects

Partnering With Industry on Mechanical Engineering Capstone Projects

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hani S. Saad ◽  
Martin W. Weiser ◽  
Donald C. Richter
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Engineering Problem ◽  
Engineering Technology ◽  
Capstone Course ◽  
Capstone Courses ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Program Change ◽  
Capstone Projects ◽  
Eastern Washington ◽  
Washington University

The purpose of a Capstone course is to present the students with an engineering problem that needs to be solved. The students work in teams and are expected to document and research each step of the process. The idea is to mimic, as much possible, the situation encountered by engineers in the field. While industry sponsored projects are preferred, suggestions from students are also welcomed. The Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) Department at Eastern Washington University has traditionally pursued industry sponsored projects by reaching out to the local businesses and through the department Industrial Advisory Committee. While the ME degree is a relatively new addition, the MET degree has been offered for many years. With the addition of the ME program, change came to the Capstone course. Emphasis is placed more on research and not on production. The goal now is to create one prototype instead of fifteen while focusing heavily on the research part. This change has an effect on the dynamics of the course and presents additional challenges, especially with industry sponsored projects. These changes are relevant to both the MET and ME Capstone courses. This paper highlights these challenges for four projects done in the spring of 2012 and proposes efficient ways of addressing them. One of these projects was very successful, two were moderately successful, and one was not particularly so. Recommendations for teachers and students on the best ways to approach such a project are also highlighted.

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