Lab development in support of a new ME 201 robotics-focused final project
Problem statement
ME 201, Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, is redesigning its final project to give students more creativity by building wheeled robots for a ball-launching arena challenge. However, the current labs do not directly support this new project, meaning students could spend valuable time wrestling with concepts they have not been adequately taught, while TAs and instructors devote energy to activities that no longer connect to the course goals. If left unchanged, the existing labs risk omitting essential topics such as projectile motion, vehicle dynamics, and optimization, which would make the final build significantly more difficult and limit students’ ability to apply their creativity effectively. Although existing labs from ME 201 or other universities could be reused, they are not tailored to the unique scope and sequence of this course, nor do they directly prepare students for the specific skills required in the new final project. The decision to redesign the course reflects a growing recognition in engineering education that targeted, project-aligned labs improve student learning outcomes and better prepare students for design challenges [1]. Because the new course structure is planned to change next year and a parallel senior design team is already well into developing the project, it is critical that new labs are developed now. By creating customized, hands-on labs that bridge theory and application, our team will provide students with the knowledge they need to succeed, ensuring that ME 201 remains a worthwhile investment of university resources and a fun, challenging, and competitive introduction to mechanical engineering.
Team members
Alex Gitnik – facilitator
Ben Kitchel – admin
Hailey Abram – communicator
Conrad Ho – accountant
Client
Graham Wabiszewski
UW – Mechanical Engineering