Topic outline

  • General

    INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING - Homkes

    Textbook:  "ENGINEERING DESIGN - An Introduction"  (2nd Edition)

  • Topic 1

    CLASS OVERVIEW

    • Why this course
    • Characteristics of a good Engineer
    • A worldwide shortage of technical people
    • Video: "Car of the Future"

    • Topic 2

      TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

      • Blueprints 101
      • Isometric sketching
      • An introduction to 3D modeling: Solidworks and AutoCAD
      • Video: "Birth of the V-ROD"
      • Graphic Design (with Art teacher)

    • Topic 3

      MATERIALS

      • A review of many of the materials used by engineers to design products and resolve engineering issues
      • Video: "Metals"
      • Video: "Understanding Plastics"
      • Plastics exercise
      • Metals note sheet

      • Topic 4

        DESIGN PROJECT #1

        • Topic 5

          ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTALS

          • "Engineering Mechanics" and "Terms" list
          • Common mechanical mechanisms
          • Thermodynamics basics

          • Topic 6

            MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

            • What they do per our discussions
            • Terms
            • Automation
            • Welding fixture project

            • Topic 7

              CIVIL ENGINEERING

              • What they do per our discussions
              • Video: "Pacific Coast Highway"
              • Video: "The Mackinac Bridge"
              • Build model bridges

              • Topic 8

                MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

                • What they do per our discussions
                • Terms
                • Project: Redesign the bicycle drive system
                • Video: "Engines"

                • Topic 9

                  ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

                  • What they do per our discussions
                  • Principles of Electricity
                  • Video: "World of Giants"
                  • Video: "Electrical Principles" (2)
                  • Terms
                  • Michael Faraday, 1840

                  • Topic 10

                    CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

                    • What they do per our discussions
                    • Video: "Sectrets of Oil"
                    • Terms
                    • Oil refining tower graphic

                    • Topic 11

                      PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
                      • Students research various topics at uspto.gov
                      • Students learn about patent and copyright terms, expiration dates, etc.

                      • Topic 12

                        ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN

                        • Students learn about the different types of building structures found in the USA
                        • Students learn about different building materials
                        • Students complete an exercise that teaches the various considerations of a large scale building project
                        • Students design a simple building using SoftPlan (an architectural software program)

                        • Topic 13

                          AN OVERVIEW OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES:
                          • Processes include but are not limited to: stamping, injection molding, extrusions, castings, welding, coatings, fabricating
                          • Various videos from "Some Assembly Required" (Discovery Channel) 
                          • Overview of automation

                          • Topic 14

                            OTHER BRIEF (BUT IMPORTANT) AREAS COVERED:

                            • Problem solving, teamwork, analysis and testing
                            • Characteristics of a good Engineer
                            • A typical 4 year college engineering curriculum
                            • Ethics - The Engineer as caretaker of God's creation

                            • Topic 15

                              COURSE OBJECTIVES:

                              1. To help students understand what type of person makes a good engineer and what to study in high school to prepare for engineering in college.
                              2. To give an overview of the different types of engineers including mechnical, electrical, civil, chemical, manufacturing, architecture, interior design, etc., so that a student could consider a career in these areas.
                              3. To give an overview of the processes engineers use to manufacture products and solve engineering issues.
                              4. To understand how engineers communicate their designs and technical information.
                              5. To understand the different materials used in product design and engineering solutions.
                              6. To give an overview of what the 4 year college engineering experience might be like.
                              7. To complete several "hands on" engineering projects in order to experience first hand the design and prototyping process.