Information for Educators
Multi-Semester Interwoven Project for Teaching Basic Core STEM Material Critical for Solving Dynamic Systems Problems
Our goal is to expand the usefulness of this material as much as possible. We are currently implementing components of this project in the curriculum at U Mass Lowell, and would like to see this done elsewhere as well.
(Additional password-protected material is available by formal request via email. please contact Dr. Peter Avitabile: peter_avitabile@uml.edu)
All materials are under continuous development, and feedback is welcomed.
First and second order systems | Numerical techniques | Fourier series
VMS | Acquisition and Laboratory | Differential Equations Class Presentations
A GUI, or Graphical User Interface, is a user-controlled learning tool designed to drive home important aspects of course material that may otherwise be lost in the conventional lecture / homework / test style of teaching.
Several assignments have been developed for the MATLAB and LabVIEW GUIs, to help students understand the lessons the GUIs convey. A downloads page also exists that lists all downloadable tutorials and GUIs in a compact manner. These assignments are also packaged with the GUI .zip files. Voice annotated GUI overviews and assignment explanations are also available.
First and second order systems
Projects:
RC Circuit Project for Differential Equations Class
This project, developed by Stephen Pennell, was given in a differential equations class. It asks students to develop and analyze a mathematical model of an RC circuit.
Suggested assignments for GUIs:
First order systems Assignment PDFs
RC Circuit Low-Pass Filter GUI Assignment
RC Step Response GUI Assignment
Second order systems Assignment PDFs
Step Response GUI Assignment
Initial Condition Response GUI Assignment
Impulse Response GUI Assignment
Complex Frequency Response GUI Assignment
S-Plane GUI Assignment
System Response GUI Assignment
First and Second Order Technical papers:
Several published papers describe how this material is being applied in the classroom.
Development of Visualization Tools for Response of 1st and 2nd Order Dynamic Systems, P.Avitabile, J.Hodgkins, 2006 ASEE Conference, Chicago, Illinois, June 2006.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
An Interdisciplinary, Multisemester Project Relating Differential Equations and Engineering, S.Pennell, P.Avitabile, J.White, 2005 ASEE Conference, Portland Oregon, June 2005.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Integrating Fundamental STEM Material in a Laboratory Based Dynamic Systems Course, P.Avitabile, J.Hodgkins, T.Van Zandt, ASME 2004 IMECE, Anaheim, CA, November 2004.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Dynamic Systems Teaching Enhancement using a Laboratory-Based, Hands-On Project, P.Avitabile, C.Goodman, J.Hodgkins, K.Stevens, T.Van Zandt, G.StHilaire, N.Wirkkala, T.Johnson, 2004 ASEE Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 2004.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Numerical techniques
Projects:
Numerical Integration / Differentiation Project
Students apply numerical integration and differentiation to different data sets. Issues with initial conditions, bias, delta-t spacing are encountered to help prepare students for analysis of real lab data.
Regression Analysis Project
This project, given in a math methods course, introduces the students to regression analysis using MATLAB and Excel, with the intent of making them think about how to apply the techniques.
Suggested assignments for GUIs:
Numerical Methods Assignment PDFs
Integration / Differentiation GUI Assignment MATLAB
Regression Analysis GUI Assignment MATLAB
Numerical Methods Technical papers:
Several published papers describe how this material is being applied in the classroom.
Interweaving Numerical Processing Techniques in Multisemester Projects, P.Avitabile, J.McKelliget, T.Van Zandt, 2005 ASEE Conference, Portland Oregon, June 2005.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Numerical Evaluation of Displacement and Acceleration for a Mass, Spring, Dashpot System, P.Avitabile, J.Hodgkins, 2004 ASEE Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 2004
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Fourier series
Project:
LabVIEW Fourier Series GUI Project
Asks the students to develop their own LabVIEW GUI to study the Fourier series and time and frequency signals. LabVIEW notes are available here.
Suggested assignments for GUIs
Fourier Series Assignments PDFs
Fourier Series Technical papers:
Several published papers describe how this material is being applied in the classroom.
Innovative Teaching of Fourier Series Using LabVIEW, P.Avitabile, J.Hodgkins, T.Van Zandt, A.Butland, D.Nicgorski, 2006 ASEE Conference, Chicago, Illinois, June 2006.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Virtual Measurement System
Suggested assignments for GUI:
Virtual Measurement System GUI Assignment PDFs
Virtual Measurement System GUI Assignment MATLAB
VMS Technical papers:
Published paper describing how this material is being applied in the classroom.
Developing a Virtual Model of a Second Order System to Simulate Real Laboratory Measurement Problems, P.Avitabile, T.Van Zandt, ASME 2004 IMECE, Anaheim, CA, November 2004.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
On-line acquisition system and laboratory projects:
Contact us if you would like more details on the On-Line Acquisition System.
RUBE Initial Displacement Project Assignment
On-line acquisition and laboratory Technical papers:
Several published papers describe how this material is being applied in the classroom.
Second Order Mechanical Online Acquisition System (R.U.B.E), P.Avitabile, T.Van Zandt, J.Hodgkins, N.Wirkkala, 2006 ASEE Conference, Chicago, Illinois, June 2006.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Dynamic Systems Teaching Enhancement Using a Laboratory Based Project (R.U.B.E), P.Avitabile, T.Van Zandt, J.Hodgkins, N.Wirkkala, 2006 ASEE Conference, Chicago, Illinois, June 2006.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Development of a Measurement System for Response of a Second Order Dynamic System, P.Avitabile, C.Goodman, T.Van Zandt, 2004 ASEE Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 2004.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
An Online Acquisition System for a Second Order Mechanical System (R.U.B.E), P.Avitabile, T.Van Zandt, J.Hodgkins, N.Wirkkala, 2006 ASEE Conference, Chicago, Illinois, June 2006.
Conference Paper PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Development of a Hardware/Software Filtering System for Displacement/Acceleration Response of a 2nd Order Dynamic System, P.Avitabile, T.Johnson, D.Ouellet, N.Wirkkala.
Conference Paper (DRAFT) (DRAFT) PDF
Conference Presentation PDF FLASH
Differential Equations Class Presentations
Presentations were given in an undergraduate ordinary differential equations course to drive home the importance of retaining course material for use in solving real world problems.
Dynamic Response using Multiple Sensors PDF FLASH
Shock Isolation PDF FLASH
Multiple examples were presented to underclassmen of the importance of core STEM material.