TUES: Comprehensive Course Redesign: Thermodynamics for Next Generation Engineers

TUES：综合课程重新设计：下一代工程师的热力学

• 批准号: 1044875
• 负责人: Timothy Jacobs
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-08-01 至 2014-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1044875&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: TUES; Comprehensive; Course; Redesign; Thermodynamics

This project will make use of challenge-based learning activities in a comprehensive redesign of the first thermodynamics course (FTC). Challenge-based activities will be carefully crafted to support students as they develop deep conceptualizations of entropy and available energy by seamlessly coupling micro and classical scales of thermodynamics so that they are equipped to design and develop tomorrow's state-of-the-art energy technologies. Each challenge-based learning module will both integrate several thermodynamic concepts and foster independent and group research and problem solving among students. Further, most learning modules are oriented around comparisons of energy conversion technologies and will support students as they explore theoretical analyses and practical applications of these technologies. Student learning in this transformed course will be evaluated in several ways, including comparison with traditional students in a second thermodynamics course. Materials for teaching the transformed course will be reviewed by an external advisory board composed of members from industry and academe. In addition to offering broader impact in the way of better preparing next generation engineers with improved understanding of thermodynamics and energy related issues, the comprehensive course redesign will: 1.) influence many engineering students across several disciplines (e.g., mechanical, petroleum, civil, and nuclear engineering); 2.) use challenge-based learning modules in the course redesign, which emphasize problem/challenge-based approaches to conveying concepts that will improve student learning, success, and retention, including among underrepresented students; and 3.) make use of multiple dissemination mechanisms such as an advisory board with members from industry and academe, a project web site, journal articles, conference presentations, and active engagement with ME department heads.

该项目将利用基于挑战的学习活动来全面重新设计第一门热力学课程（FTC）。将精心设计基于挑战的活动，以支持学生通过无缝耦合微观和经典热力学尺度来发展熵和可用能量的深刻概念，以便他们有能力设计和开发未来最先进的能源技术。每个基于挑战的学习模块都将整合多个热力学概念，并促进学生独立和小组研究以及问题解决。此外，大多数学习模块都以能量转换技术的比较为导向，将为学生探索这些技术的理论分析和实际应用提供支持。学生在这门转变课程中的学习将通过多种方式进行评估，包括与第二门热力学课程中的传统学生进行比较。转换后的课程的教学材料将由由行业和学术界成员组成的外部顾问委员会进行审查。除了通过更好地了解热力学和能源相关问题来更好地培养下一代工程师提供更广泛的影响之外，全面的课程重新设计还将：1.）影响多个学科（例如机械、石油、土木、和核工程）； 2.) 在课程重新设计中使用基于挑战的学习模块，强调基于问题/挑战的方法来传达能够提高学生学习、成功和保留率的概念，包括在代表性不足的学生中； 3.) 利用多种传播机制，例如由行业和学术界成员组成的顾问委员会、项目网站、期刊文章、会议演示以及与 ME 部门负责人的积极参与。