The Engineering of Everyday Things: Simple Experiments for the Thermal and Fluid Sciences

摘要

A series of demonstrations and laboratory exercises have been developed to teach fundamental concepts in the thermal and fluid sciences of the undergraduate engineering curriculum. This material is part of an educational research project called the Engineering of Everyday Things. The title reflects the use of common technology like hair dryers, blenders, toasters and bicycle pumps, which are used to demonstrate principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer. The project also uses simple laboratory devices such as pipes with sudden expansions and open tanks of water. This paper provides an overview of the EET project and shows how this material can be used as in-class demonstration or as in guided-inquiry laboratory exercises. Representative results of formative assessment for the in-class demonstrations, learning gain, and attitude change for the guided-inquiry exercises are given.