Projects-Based Instruction of Intermediate Strength of Materials Course: Preparing Students for Future Workforce

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the transformative instruction of Intermediate Strength of Materials or Aerospace Structures courses. It is argued that instead of placing heavy emphasis on tests and exams it is preferable to engage students with small size projects covering main topics of the course. Each student is assigned a serial number. The parameters of the loads and/or parameters describing geometric dimensions in offered project problems are made dependent on the serial number. This creates individualized project and takes care that students perform these individually even in case they cooperate. The latter is being welcomed since it promotes discussions between students, thus resulting in the better understanding of the material. Projects create natural interaction between the faculty, teaching assistant, and the students, who pose questions via Canvas system or any other accepted software in use at the given University.