Multi-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project - 2023 entry

The University declared an environment and climate emergency in May 2019. The future of our planet and community is at stake. We know though that simply declaring an environment and climate emergency is not enough so you will be part of a team involved in this real-world Project Based Learning (PBL) module to show our commitment to leading the change required. Your career as a professional engineer will require you to work effectively with multi-disciplinary teams on complex and challenging projects. In preparation for this working environment your first task as a new engineering student will be to work on energy harvesting during this multidisciplinary challenge project.

 

The PBL driving question is ‘How can we harness ocean energy and convert it into reliable, sustainable and cost-competitive electricity that can be used to power homes, transport, and industries’.

 

Your team project will be completed over two terms and PBL will be the vehicle for putting the core knowledge gained in Fundamentals of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics into practice in a collaborative group setting. To support your project work you will undertake workshops in study/research skills, sketching, technical communication, 3D modelling and prototyping. Your team PBL project will culminate in a presentation using both multimedia, 3D modelling and basic physical prototyping such as card modelling, 3D printing, laser cutting or blue foam modelling.

 

You must show leadership and courage when presenting your projects and potential solutions that may be part of influencing governments, businesses and communities. 

The purpose of this module is to:

 

Address the climate emergency through a team project focused on energy harvesting. The PBL project will facilitate the application of the core engineering knowledge gained in Fundamentals of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics.

 

Develop 21st century skills in creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership and technology literacy.

 

Gain valuable experience in research/study skills, sketching, technical communication, 3D modelling and prototyping.

 

Steering projects through the design process and creating prototypes for a final PBL ‘Public Product’. 

Discipline and Module Intended Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of energy harvesting and hone your ability to research current and future developments and technologies

2. integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of your own engineering discipline

3. demonstrate understanding of the core knowledge gained in Fundamentals of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics and the ability to apply it to analyse key engineering processes

4. apply computational methods in order to solve engineering problems and to implement appropriate action

5. develop 3D modelling skills and apply them to generate conceptual designs, test prototypes and illustrate final designs

6. demonstrate knowledge and experience of prototyping tools such as laser cutting, card modelling and 3D Printing

7. extract and evaluate pertinent data and apply engineering analysis techniques in the solution of unfamiliar problems

8. work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design and, where appropriate, use theory or experimental research to mitigate deficiencies

9. show an awareness of the principles of the design process, demonstrate design skills, and incorporate those principles through research and development

10. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the commercial, economic and social context of engineering processes

11. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of individual and project management techniques to ensure individual and project deadlines are met and outcomes are continually monitored and evaluated

12. understand real-world contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied

13. demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of energy harvesting equipment, processes, or products

14. apply prototyping skills to the PBL driving question

15. communicate effectively to technical and non-technical audiences and have the ability to present ideas effectively

16. understand the use of technical literature and other information sources and document appropriate references

17. work with technical uncertainty

18. work as part of a team, resolve conflict and assess your own and others skills and performances

19. work independently, using IT and personal skills such as time and stress management, monitoring your own progress, generating ideas, setting realistic targets, reflecting on the effectiveness of your learning strategies and modifying your targets and learning strategies appropriately

 

1: Introductory Lecture:

2: Project Launch – energy harvesting  inspiration:

3:  Circular economy: 

4:  Multi-media communication:

5: Study skills:

6: Research skills:

7: Freehand sketching:

8: Technical communication:

9: Computer aided 3D modelling tutorials and practice CSWA exam: 

10: Prototyping:

11: Project management:

12: PBL support sessions:

13: Presentation skills: