John Moustakas, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, ended the academic year by posing a challenge to the students in his Introduction to Engineering class. Titled “Ultimate Projectile Contest,” this hands-on competition put the students’ classroom knowledge to the test, while also challenging them to work effectively in a team.
The “Ultimate Projectile Contest” explored the basics of projectile motion through the construction and calibration of a “shooter.” Each team worked together to build a launcher out of PVC pipe and a wooden dowel that would fling a wiffle golf ball into a target. This contest introduced the group of mostly first-year students to the importance of being able to apply textbook material to real-world practices.
Moustakas believes that emphasizing the importance of teamwork to his students in the Introduction to Engineering class is key to bringing the profession to life stating, “Professional engineers don’t work in isolation.” He also incorporated guest speakers into his curriculum to talk to the students about careers in engineering and continued education in the field.
Moustakas’ students were introduced to his hands-on teaching approach earlier in the semester through another construction project. They worked to build a light-weight but sustainable bridge out of only two materials: newspaper and masking tape. One of the most innovative bridges weighed just 4 ounces and held 10.5 pounds; another weighed 3.5 pounds and held up a whopping 60 pounds. These challenges get the students out of their seats and engaged with the work, but also act as a test for Moustakas himself.
“I’ve never taught this class, and I’ve never done this activity before. So, it’s amazing to see it field-tested. I’m getting my hands dirty too, so it’s really fun.”
Moustakas is no stranger to student collaboration; his work on the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey will keep him and his students traveling to Arizona and Chile over the next few years. If you would like to read more about his recent work, please click the links below.
CURCA Project Makes Cover of National Newsletter
Prof Moustakas attends annual DESI Collaboration Meeting at Fermilab
