Importance of Undergraduate Research in Engineering Technology Programs

Abstract

Abstract Importance of Undergraduate Research in Engineering Technology Programs Sidi Berri, Gaffar Gailani, Andy Zhang Mechanical Engineering Technology department New York City College of TechnologyThis paper talks about importance of undergraduate research in the Associate of AppliedScience (AAS) of Mechanical Engineering Technology (MECH) of New York City College ofTechnology (NYCCT). Enrolment and retention rates have been going up steadily since thedepartment received its first NSF/ATE and NASA/Cipair awards in summer 2010.The NSF/ATEgrant enabled the department to start undergraduate research in mechatronics by establishnga mechatronics center. The NASA grant helped the department modify some of its key coursesin the AAS in MECH and send students to summer internships in NASA centers. Since theestablishment of the new mechatronics center and the summer internship opportunities thenumber of new freshmen students has increased considerably in the department. Students aremore motivated in the program and retention rates are going up steadily. Students are moreinvolved in undergraduate robotics research and in learning engineering technology in general.They participate in regional and national competitions. Students are more involved in teamwork, creativity, extracurricular activities, brain storming, etc… The department’s overallenvironment has changed categorically. Students are more active in group activities and alwaysactive in research activities such as designing and fabricating new robots.