AC 2011-1268: MOTIVATING DESIGN AND ANALYSIS SKILLS ACQUI- SITION WITH THE INFUSION OF ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROJECTSTHROUGHOUTAMECHANICALENGINEERINGCURRICU- LUM

At the heart of the mechanical engineering discipline is the design (including analysis) of machines and machine elements that satisfy societal needs. At California Polytechnic State University students are challenged in their four-year curriculum by unique, open-ended design projects. Many of these projects focus on the design, analysis, building and testing of adapted physical activity devices that allow greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in recreational activities. Adapted physical activity gives persons with disabilities the opportunity to play and obtain physical exercise. These projects present design challenges that force students to consider a user-centered design approach with little in the way of existing reference designs to build upon; therefore the students are required to use a disciplined approach to the engineering design process. These projects also provide additional motivation as students can see the impact their involvement and profession can have on the lives of others. This paper describes how adapted physical activity design projects are used in four separate courses to enhance learning of the engineering design process, engineering analysis skills and experimental methods. Preliminary assessment results of this service learning pedagogy’s effect on student attitudes, student motivation and student learning are reported.