AC 2007-3031: ENHANCING ENGINEERING EDUCATION THROUGH REAL-LIFE PROJECTS

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s (UMES) Engineering Program offered the first two years of an engineering sequence when it began. UMES students were admitted to the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) College of Engineering with official verification of their enrollment in this program. Students also transferred to other colleges of engineering. Starting Fall 1998, UMES in collaboration with UMCP started offering all four years of Electrical Engineering (EE) on the Eastern Shore. Upon successful completion of the EE discipline, the students receive a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from College Park. The instructional strategy of the engineering program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is to integrate practical experiences with the regular courses, infuse technology into the classroom activities and utilizes interdisciplinary approach to achieve its Mission. It has partnerships with industry that provide students with enhanced learning opportunities through co-op's and internships. This paper discusses some of the challenges in the program and some projects that are being used to enhance engineering education of the students. It discusses the impact the NASA-UMES Summer Internship Program has on the education of the engineering students. It also covers a senior design project arising from this internship program. Furthermore, it discuses First Year Engineering Students collaboration with the Aviation Sciences Program, and a Doppler Radar Study project involving engineering students. Key Terms – Industry Partnerships, Tri-cycle training device, summer internship, senior design project, Doppler radar