When applying to Cal Poly Pomona, freshman Marissa Van Luvender had an easy time deciding to major in aerospace engineering. However, she found adjusting to the new field of study more challenging.

"When you're first learning, it's very theoretical," she says. "What you learn isn't concrete or tangible."

Realizing that a student's understanding of theory is improved by showing him or her how to apply that knowledge, College of Engineering professors frequently find projects to help grease their pupil's wheels, so to speak.

In Van Luvender's case, the freshman developed a better understanding of basic aeronautical principals by building a simple radio-controlled model airplane, testing its physical parameters and learning to make the right adjustments as part of her Introduction to Aeronautics coursework.
Her instructor, Don Edberg, insists that his students learn through real-world applications. Edberg joined the university full-time last year after 20 years in the aerospace industry. Although he has mostly left the industry behind him, he frequently uses his work experience as a source for classroom material.

"My biggest observation was a lot of people didn't get a hands-on feel of the industry when they first start out in the field," Edberg says. "By having students work with the model planes, they'll see all the principles are the same. The only difference is the size, the cost and the danger factor."

Van Luvender and her classmates agree the hands-on approach to high-tech principles help with their learning.
"When you're just reading, the theory seems perfect, but when you're actually flying the model and testing it, you see all the variables you have to consider and learn how to make modifications," says Van Luvender. "It's also a lot of fun-except for the crashes."

As engineering students progress, they have numerous opportunities to integrate their classroom learning. Class projects include designing robots and catapults as well as experimenting nanotechnology by building miniature devices. Students who join clubs find additional learning opportunities, such as building solar cars, solar boats and concrete canoes for national competitions.

Mechanical engineering professor Kevin Anderson finds hands-on projects help capture interest and at the same time teach students the joy of building.

Anderson teaches the popular Machine Design and Mechatronics courses, which include building prototypes and pitting the projects against each other in an end-of-the-quarter competition.

"That type of practical experience will put these students ahead," Anderson says. "My experience in the industry is that to be successful you need to know how to analyze and understand, but also know how to physically do it. These projects show them how."