Airplanes for Everyone: A General Education Course for Non‐Engineers

Abstract

The Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, at the University of Washington, has introduced a new course to non-engineering students. This course is distinguished by the fact that it is specifically designed for non-engineering/science students. The course, called AA101: Air and Space Vehicles, fulfills a "natural world" graduation requirement for University undergraduates. This course has proven so popular that after the first offering it has filled the auditorium and all lab sections every quarter. It is now being offered three quarters a year. AA101 includes hands-on learning, multi-media presentations, and classroom demonstrations. Lab sections each week demonstrate principles learned in class and are usually centered about a fun activity. Examples include learning to fly with Microsoft FlightSimulator, building a rubber powered balsa airplane, and launching water rockets. In several of these activities, teamwork is stressed. A conscious decision in the creation of the course was to eliminate analysis in order to attract the broadest audience. Graduates of AA101 are thus familiar with the concepts but cannot apply analytical tools to aerospace engineering.

Online aviation learning experience during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Hong Kong and Mainland China

“…(2017) proposed a longer period of time around 6–8 weeks and that online study should be more intensive. Second, we implemented diversified learning activities to facilitate student learning through flight simulation, virtual trips and professional sharing which have demonstrated their learning effectiveness (eg, Dismukes & Smith, 2017; Eberhardt, 2000). As such, we packed a list of intense online and self‐paced learning activities (with over ten activities) in a 1‐month journey, which is a reasonable and comfortable period of time for beginning learners.…”

“…(2010) found that 3D flight simulation materials offer visualizations and manipulations of different machine components in a simulated airplane to satisfy students' perceived psychological needs, self‐determined motivation and learning performance which could effectively reduce learning gaps due to gender effects and IT knowledge. Eberhardt (2000) designed a 10‐week course for university students to learn basic aeronautical knowledge (eg, airplane design, lift and drag, wing design) at an elementary level through glider making and flying flight simulators with aircraft controls (eg, yoke, rudder pedals). Students reflected that flight simulation provides them hands‐on experience, multimedia presentations and demonstrations, which could effectively enhance their basic science and engineering knowledge and motivation (Eberhardt, 2000).…”

“…Eberhardt (2000) designed a 10‐week course for university students to learn basic aeronautical knowledge (eg, airplane design, lift and drag, wing design) at an elementary level through glider making and flying flight simulators with aircraft controls (eg, yoke, rudder pedals). Students reflected that flight simulation provides them hands‐on experience, multimedia presentations and demonstrations, which could effectively enhance their basic science and engineering knowledge and motivation (Eberhardt, 2000). Overall, flight simulation is claimed to be a motivating approach to teach students about abstract science phenomena and engineering concepts in a technology‐enhanced environment (Dismukes & Smith, 2017).…”

Deconstructing Engineering Education Programs

“…Most aerospace employees do not have education backgrounds stressing math-sciencetechnology. 45 The University of Denver offers a series of technology electives for non-engineering students. In one course they work in interdisciplinary teams on policies concerning global warming, nuclear energy, and genetic engineering.…”

Developing Web Based Tools For A General Education Course In Aerospace

“…The basic structure of AA101: Air and Space Vehicles was described in the ASEE Journal of Engineering Education, Jan. 2000 1 . In summary, the course is a 5-credit course consisting of four lecture hours a week and a two-hour lab section.…”