A kite-based aerial imaging as a freshman engineering design project

Abstract

PURPOSEThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the reader to a freshman engineering design project where students designed a kite-based aerial imaging system by applying sound engineering problem solving criterion. Structured project-based approach to teach engineering design is not new. However, the use of practical projects to institutionalize the teaching of freshman engineering design has been made a key component of interdisciplinary program approach whereby faculty from both programs in the Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences compliment student learning through shared projects. While the Aviation Science faculty serves as clients, they generate plausible problems that can benefit the Aviation Science students in the program and these problems are then used as the basis for a structured engineering design approach for introducing engineering design fundamentals to the freshman engineering class. Over the years, several projects have been executed using this collaborative approach and this project further examines both the engineering aspect of the students' learning as well as their leadership growth and interaction between group members. With students from various engineering backgrounds involved in the course, this paper provides the audience the ability to examine the applicability of this approach to other subject areas. ABSTRACTFreshman engineering design students were given the problem of seeking a kite-based lifting platform that incorporated a camera system for aerial imaging purposes. The unique nature of the assignment lies in its support of precision agriculture efforts on campus by reducing cost and difficulty of operation for an aerial imaging platform. DESCRIPTIONThe following constraints were initially provided to initiate the project group formation and interaction with the clients. These are stated as follows:The delivered product should meet the following criteria:• The kite should be designed to lift the camera system (Aiptek PenCan SD 1.3) given the average wind speed for the Princess Anne, MD area.(Camera specifications are attached)• The camera system should include equipment that ensures that the camera is imaging in a NADIR view position at all times. • Additional specifications may be offered as the project progresses.With these as the bases of the project, a project group was formed to find engineering design solutions for the stated problem. This paper discusses the process, approach to introducing course content and objectives as a means of promoting communication skills, team work, critical thinking as well as research skills and the experience acquired by the students in the freshman engineering class. It also discusses the management style which work best for the students in a single group setting.

General Aviation Airport Layout and Design: A Cross-Discipline Exercise in Design Management for Freshman Engineering Students.

“…Due to restrictions on model aircraft usage for research purposes on campus (implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States), continued usage of powered model aircraft devices was not an option. In response, client centered projects focused on kite-based aerial platform designs [3] and other key aviation safety issues such as runway incursion avoidance [4].…”