Service-Learning Project Examples

Redesign of the Waterwheel Display at Tsongas Industrial History Museum

Course: 16.365 - Electronics I

Semester: Fall 2006

Instructor: Joel Therrien

Partner: Tsongas Industrial History Museum

Brief Description:
The students in the Electronics I course were asked to design an electronic display for the waterwheel demonstration at the Tsongas Industrial History Museum.  The goal of the project was to replace the display that had a hardwired output.  Students involved in this project showed a great deal of enthusiasm, which seemed to facilitate the learning process.  During the testing of the mock-up displays, students’ conceptual errors regarding the course topics were uncovered. Previously the waterwheel display at the museum was underused because it did not have an accurate display of the waterwheel power. The new student designs should address this issue.

 

Full Description:
The students in the Electronics I course were asked to design an electronic display for the waterwheel demonstration at the Tsongas Industrial History Museum.  The goal of the project was to replace the display that had a hardwired output.  Students involved in this project showed a great deal of enthusiasm, which seemed to facilitate the learning process.  During the testing of the mock-up displays, students’ conceptual errors regarding the course topics were uncovered. Previously the waterwheel display at the museum was underused because it did not have an accurate display of the waterwheel power. The new student designs should address this issue.

Learning objectives met by the S-L project:

• Improved the educational value of the display
• Enhanced student learning processes
• Project helped to enhance teaching materials

Community objectives met by S-L project:

• Provided designs and parts lists for fabricating the display