ELITE: Enhancing Learning through Innovative Teaching Equipment

San Francisco State University, San Francisco CA

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program, this Educational Instrumentation project at San Francisco State University (SFSU) will strengthen undergraduate learning in Civil, Mechanical, and Computer Engineering. Specifically, this project will secure a state-of-the-art Six Degrees of Freedom (6-DOF) Hexapod Motion Platform from Quanser Corporation, which will allow students to conduct hands-on experiments in courses such as Dynamics, Engineering Experimentation, Structural Analysis, Control Systems Laboratory, Systems Dynamics and Mechanical Vibrations, Digital Signal Processing, and Engineering Design Projects. An estimated 500 students and five faculty members will utilize the project-funded equipment each year. In addition to providing improved experiences in engineering courses, the new equipment will also be used in undergraduate research and independent projects. The goals of this project are to enrich the learning and experiences of undergraduate students by providing critical equipment in the aforementioned disciplines. The Hexapod Motion Platform will enable students to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, enhancing their understanding of real-world engineering challenges and developing essential technical skills. This project will assess the impact of the project-funded equipment using quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, including tracking D, F, W rates, analyzing student performance on relevant assessments and conducting surveys to collect feedback. This project is funded by the HSI Program, which aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education, broaden participation in STEM, and increase capacity to engage in the development and implementation of innovations to improve STEM teaching and learning at HSIs This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.