Abstract
An innovative hands-on approach was taken in teaching thermal/fluid systems design as an upper-level undergraduate course. The objective of using this method was to enhance the students' industrial vision, and to prepare them for mechanical engineering practice before they graduate. For this purpose, the students in this course were divided into three-member groups to design, manufacture, and test specific heat exchangers for given conditions. They were to work within realistic economic, manufacturability, sustainability, ethical, environmental, and safety constraints on their projects. They were then to report the results in a professional fashion, and finally to present their projects in class. The students' communication and interpersonal skills were also examined. The groups came up with different ideas for the design and manufacture of their thermal/fluid systems. Most of the heat exchangers worked the way expected, while some faced problems due to a high-pressure drop within the heat exchangers. This approach has had favorable feedback from the students as well as other professionals in the field. The present article reports the details and results of the hands-on class activity.