The STEPS Program
Strategies for Team-based
Engineering Problem Solving
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
The aim of the STEPS program is to
introduce and expose students to the engineering design process and integrate a range of skills and competencies that will simulate project management
and real-world design activities in a professional engineering environment.
This program requires teams of
students to respond to client specifications by
designing, managing and presenting technically
feasible solutions to real-world problems. The program
aims to facilitate good engineering practices with a
strong focus on behavioural competencies and
communication skills. Teamwork,
organization, planning, research skills, and
problem solving are essential for success. All
students are actively engaged in teamwork and solving open-ended problems
using methodical approaches and state-of-the-art
design and communications tools.
During the semester, students also
regularly present the results of their project work
using oral, written and graphical communications
skills. The progress and development of each
team project and each student's contribution is
closely monitored and evaluated by experienced PhD
qualified engineering design experts and qualified
English communication specialists for the purpose of
providing helpful feedback and advice to improve
project work, communication skills and
presentation skills.
DEVELOPMENT OF
PRACTICAL SKILLS
STEPS courses help students to
develop "life-long learning" habits and
professional skills that will prove very useful in the
workplace and in future careers in engineering.
Some of the new specific skills that students develop
in the STEPS program are:
-
Identifying, clarifying and
defining problems and specific needs of 'the
client'
-
Defining specific objectives,
constraints, functions, requirements and metrics
-
Generating and analysing
several different alternative solutions or means
without bias, then selecting or forming the best
possible solutions in a methodical and objective
manner so that all project objectives, constraints
and requirements are satisfied. i.e. Using
divergent (creative) and convergent (analytical)
thinking and analysis skills to select, develop,
design and refine an effective, feasible and
efficient solution based on specific metrics and
successful design practices.
-
Working productively and
efficiently as team members, developing good
rapport and trust, effective leadership,
communicating effectively to achieve desired
results, assigning tasks fairly, resolving
conflicts and achieving win-win outcomes.
-
Task scheduling, time
management and project management methods &
tools
-
Reverse engineering of
products to determine functions and requirements
-
Sketching accurate hand
drawings of components, assemblies and devices
-
Professional engineering
drawing skills (drawing pictorial, isometric, and
orthographic views with standards-based
dimensioning)
-
SolidWorks 3D solid modelling
(CAD), 3D animation & FEA material failure
analysis
-
Integration and application
of engineering design, analysis and
problem-solving skills from several different
subjects to solve project-related problems.
-
Creating, presenting and
delivering high quality seminars, posters and
websites to showcase and summarize the team's work
or progress.
FACULTY
STEPS Coordinator: Dr Jamal
Ahmad
Engineering design
specialists: Dr Jaby Mohammed, Dr Sam Cubero
Communication specialists: Dr
Suzanne Scott, David Moore
PREVIOUS DESIGN
PROJECTS
-
Playground for Abu Dhabi Special Care Centre
-
Sustainable village
-
Water purification device
-
Can crusher for Centre for Waste Management (Abu Dhabi)
-
Bicycle-powered irrigation device
-
Solar panel cleaning device
-
Simulation of oil field exploration & development
-
Educational toy for special needs students
-
Library book drop
-
Reverse engineering
-
Portable multi-purpose poster
display board and podium
