Work in progress — Engaging students in thermodynamics with Engineering Scenarios

This NSF CCLI Phase II project is focused on addressing improvements in student pedagogy and educational materials for the thermodynamics curriculum. The project intends to complete the development of the “Engineering Scenario” concept as a textbook supplement based on actual engineering facilities and real-world problems. The material is based on an expanded case study format and constructed in a web based format, allowing extensive integration of narrative, pictures, video, and web links to expand the background material. The Phase I project allowed for the development and testing of a single Scenario based on a local plant. Lessons learned from the previous assessment are guiding current development and expansion to include multiple facility types and locations for Phase II. This will be supplemented by input from student focus groups and readability test results. Assessment will occur at multiple institutions and will make use of engagement surveys, concept inventories, and student focus groups.