Systems Engineering Educational Discovery

(SEED): An Educational Pilot Project

Systems Engineering Educational Discovery

(SEED): An Educational Pilot Project

Kamlesh Lulla, Ph.D.; Ph.D.Deputy Manager,University Research and Affairs OfficeNASA Johnson Space CenterHouston, Texas

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

SEED Team SEED Team

NASA HQ:Lisa Guerra ( NASA fellow at UT)

NASA Johnson Space Center:Internships: Bob MusgroveFlight experiments: Doug GoforthSenior Design and DLN: Michele LeggittTeam Lead: Kam Lulla

University of Texas Austin:Faculty of UT Aerospace Dept.Texas Space Grant Consortium

Outline: Outline:

Background

Overview of SEED project

Glimpses of student projects

Student feedback

NASA Digital Learning Network

SEED Phase II highlights

Summary

Need for Systems Engineers Need for Systems Engineers

Background:• NASA and Aerospace

industry recognizes an urgent “need” for Systems Engineering expertise

• National Academy of Engineering recommends “interdisciplinary” training for Engineers of tomorrow (Engineer 2020 reports)

Report by Jain and Verma (2007)Report by Jain and Verma (2007)

A distribution of degrees offered by US based SE centric programs.

A distribution of degrees offered by US based SE centric programs.

SEED: Growing future systems engineers:SEED: Growing future systems engineers:

Systems Engineering curriculum development and pilot course

Students from pilot course completing internships at JSC

Curriculum validation and feedback

SEED:Curriculum and internships:SEED:Curriculum and internships:

Some notable accomplishments:Systems Engineering Reduced Gravity flight project- a national effort:• 41 students (10 females) and 10 faculty members did “fly” during the

April 2008• 5 conventional microgravity and 5 lunar gravity flights• 18 student received course credits• Teams paired with NASA mentors for real time interactions

Participating universities gave high marks to the project:

• Purdue University• University of Colorado at Boulder• Auburn University• Portland State University• University of Cincinnati

SEED overview:SEED overview:

• Ohio State University

• University of Nebraska - Lincoln

• Carthage College

• Polytechnic University

• University of Kentucky

SEED: Student projectsSEED: Student projects

Lunar Angle of Repose for soil simulants in lunar gravity regime

Marshall Space Flight CenterProject: Purdue University

SEED: Student projectsSEED: Student projects

Johnson Space Center Project: Auburn University

Multimission Space suit EVA Drink Bag Filling Process

*“Great program! I think the idea of students carrying out NASA oriented research was a great idea and should be built upon for future programs.” (Faculty)

“This is a wonderful program, an excellent educational opportunity and a tremendous “behind the scenes” look at NASA research, project development an exploration mission design. I am exceptionally pleased that I got a chance to do this as a faculty member” (Faculty)

SEED: FeedbackSEED: Feedback

“This was a very good program. Our peer mentor was very helpful. The program could be made shorter” (students)

“I think the systems engineering knowledge gained here at NASA will prove valuable in my future employment. I liked the hands-on work” (student)

“I think my interactions prior to an during the flight week really improved chances of success for the student experiment. This program gave students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on design and schedule driven experience. The data collected will also support my NASA project and thus real component of a program” (NASA mentor)

SEED:FeedbackSEED:Feedback

Johnson Space Center

Bring NASA to your students!Real life experiences,dynamic interactions with NASA Engineers & Scientists on the future and past NASA missions

NASA Digital Learning Network™NASA Digital Learning Network™

•Allowed multiple interactive connections with NASA Engineers and Scientists and participating university students.

•NASA Engineer Ann Bufkin’s briefing on systems engineering at JSC to high school students•NASA scientist Dr. Carl Allen connected with students live to discuss the Lunar surface properties.

•Allowed multiple interactive connections with NASA Engineers and Scientists and participating university students.

•NASA Engineer Ann Bufkin’s briefing on systems engineering at JSC to high school students•NASA scientist Dr. Carl Allen connected with students live to discuss the Lunar surface properties.

JSC DLN System Engineering Design ChallengeJSC DLN System Engineering Design Challenge

10

30

50

70

Students Faculty

# Connections

# Connections: 19

# Students: 75

# Teachers: 8

# Other: 0

Total: 83

Systems Engineering Design ChallengeSystems Engineering Design Challenge

DLN: an underutilized resource by universitiesDLN: an underutilized resource by universities

• Post Flight connection opportunities

• Available to speak directly to university students regarding NASA and coursework.

• Faculty utilizing DLN can allow for more student experiences and interactions with NASA.

•Availability of systems engineering curriculum on-line

•Extend systems engineering curriculum to graduate level

•Enhance involvement of graduate students in curriculum development

•Use NASA Digital Learning Networks for systems engineering design challenge an other related outreach activities

SEED: Phase II Highlights of follow on initiatives:SEED: Phase II Highlights of follow on initiatives:

•Increase Systems engineering Internship opportunities

•Increase Systems engineering reduced gravity student flight opportunities

•Engage faculty teaching Systems engineering in Flight teams

•Engage nation-wide engineering faculty by organizing conference presentations of systems engineering curriculum at ASEE or equivalent national conferences

SEED: Phase II Highlights of follow on initiatives:SEED: Phase II Highlights of follow on initiatives:

Our collaborations with universities nationwide will continue as we renew our efforts to “grow Future generations of systems engineers”!

Summary:Summary: