MTSU’s experimental vehicles program Thursday received the Tennessee Board of Regents’ Academic Excellence Award because of the program’s many educational benefits for students and its outstanding success.
Dr. Paula Short, TBR vice chancellor for academic affairs, presented a plaque during the TBR’s quarterly meeting, which is being held through Friday, June 24, at Nashville State Community College.
MTSU’s Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, professor in the Department of Engineering Technology, and student David O’Brien accepted the award for the University and made a PowerPoint presentation. Foroudastan also is associate dean for the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and has served as faculty adviser for the experimental vehicles program since its inception. O’Brien is president of the experimental vehicles student organization.
2011 marks the second year MTSU and Foroudastan have received the Academic Excellence Award from the TBR. In June 2010, MTSU earned the honor for the Master of Science in Professional Science program that Foroudastan directs.
MTSU’s experimental vehicles program consists of five collegiate design projects, Foroudastan said. In each, student teams design, develop and produce an experimental vehicle under his guidance.
“MTSU’s EVP uses classroom knowledge and applies it to hands-on projects that foster critical thinking, initiate creative problem-solving and create an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines,” he said.
“Through these design projects, students learn about alternative energy and work in a diverse cultural setting.”
Each year, the student teams compete in national and international design competitions including the SAE Baja, Formula SAE, the NASA Great Moonbuggy Race, Solar Splash and Solar BikeRayce USA, he added.
Foroudastan said the program, which is the only one in Tennessee that competes in land, water and solar events, has been a successful motivation tool for students, because 90 percent of the student team members successfully complete their undergraduate degrees.
CBAS Dean Tom Cheatham and Russell Chair of Manufacturing Excellence chair holder Dr. Charles Perry also attended the ceremony.
A video clip of the presentation should be available at www.mtsunews.com starting June 24. For more about the program, call 615-494-8786 or visit mtsu.edu/et/stuprojects.shtml. |
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