Engineering 101: Putting theory into practice

Published: January 22, 2025

Author: Dave Bell

As the fall semester concluded, students in Greenville University’s Engineering 101 class were assigned two projects that measured how well they’d learned the material in the department’s introductory class.

First, they were directed to build a truss-style bridge using flat craft sticks, round wooden dowels, and pieces of cardboard. Those bridges (shown in the top photo) had to span a 10-inch gap and support a hefty 5.5-pound model car. In this exercise, students learn about engineering design, load-bearing analysis, and the proper use of hand tools.

Second, they were asked to assemble a small battery-powered wheeled vehicle (shown in bottom photo) whose steering mechanism was controlled by light. For instance, when sensors detected more light coming from the right or the left, the vehicle’s servo motors would turn it in the opposite direction. And when the light was directly behind it, the vehicle would go straight forward. This project introduced students to circuit design and computer programming,

Professor Danie Raja (pictured above in the class), said the two assignments allowed students to apply what they learned in class.

“These projects move their knowledge from theory to practice,” Raja said. “They take theoretical knowledge from lectures and apply it to solve real-world problems. The projects combine elements of electrical engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering. The result is a holistic learning experience and an overview of several engineering principles.”

The two projects also tracked with the course’s learning objectives – learning design principles, enhancing technical skills, solving problems, managing timelines, working in a team environment, and preparing verbal and written reports.

Engineering 101 helps students decide if engineering is a field they want to pursue. If so, they can move on to more complex concepts in higher-level classes. If not, they have learned that their efforts might be better applied in another course of study. It’s all part of the experiential learning model, a hallmark of Greenville University.