Finding Alternate Resources for Completing Senior Design Projects During the Current COVID-19 Pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Engineering Education
• Remote Learning
• Capstone Design

Background:

• Universities nationwide implemented lockdowns, leading to remote instruction.
• Students were sent home, losing access to essential campus facilities like maker spaces and testing equipment.
• Prototype parts and project materials were inaccessible in locked campus facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify challenges faced by students in capstone design courses during remote learning.
• To explore the impact of maker space and equipment unavailability on prototype development.
• To address the difficulties in delivering final prototypes to sponsors or clients.

Main Methods:

• This study is based on the abstract provided, outlining a scenario.
• Analysis of the impact of sudden transition to remote learning on engineering design projects.
• Identification of logistical and practical hurdles in prototype completion.

Main Results:

• Students experienced significant disruption in their ability to build and test prototypes.
• Inaccessibility of physical resources hindered project progression and timely delivery.
• The transition to online instruction created a critical bottleneck for hands-on design courses.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in traditional capstone design project execution.
• Alternative strategies are needed to ensure project completion and sponsor satisfaction in remote settings.
• Future curriculum development should incorporate contingency plans for remote access to resources.