ETD 515
Experimental Vehicle Program (EVP)-New Courses in
Engineering Technology Curriculum
Dr. Saeed D. Foroudastan,
Karly A. Danhausen/Chelsea R. Nihill
Abstract
The Engineering Technology department at Middle Tennessee State University consists of three
concentrations in Engineering Technology, which includes Computer Engineering Technology,
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology. Middle
Tennessee State University also has an Engineering major in Mechatronics Engineering that was
established last year. Students pursuing a degree in one of these fields are given the opportunity
to fulfill class credit, electives, and/or satisfy their senior project requirement by being involved
in the Experimental Vehicle Program (EVP). This unique course offers students the opportunity
to engage in hands-on learning practices, and those individuals who have participated in the EVP
have found this program to be instrumental in helping them further their career in the
competitive job market.
Middle Tennessee State University is very passionate about the success of this program and
provides complete on campus engineering laboratories that facilitates a productive learning
experience. This course fosters a comfortable environment where students are able to challenge
their knowledge and learn invaluable skills such as collaboration, communication, and
leadership. Students work together from the ground up to design, construct, and test novel
vehicle designs for participation in national and international competitions. The program takes
traditional classroom learning a step further, and gives the student a chance to use cutting-edge
technology and design methods to create the best vehicles. Sponsors of the program find that
hiring those students who have been involved with the EVP, are well equipped for the challenges
engineers face in their position. The students graduating who have taken this course are in high
demand because of the real world experience they gain through this innovative and demanding
program. The EVP continues to be recognized as the national model for hands-on engineering
education.
Introduction
The increasing demand for innovative technology has had a significant influence on modern
national and international engineering curricula over the past several years6. It’s important for
novice engineers to be able to perform at a high level and possess the competence to assist in
finding solutions to complex problems in the growing engineering industry. The Experimental
Vehicle Program (EVP) is a unique and matchless course where students are given the
opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world engineering projects. The EVP
encompasses five different vehicles that students are responsible for developing. These include
Solar Boat, NASA Lunar Rover (formally known as the Moonbuggy), Formula Hybrid Car,
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Formula SAE, and SAE Baja. Students are required to design their own research for executing
the development of these vehicles. Middle Tennessee State University recognizes the value in
encouraging new engineering technology courses and continues to promote this original and
innovative program. This prestigious program requires its students to compete in highly
recognized national and international competitions. These competitions are a great way for
students to network, showcase their innovation, and observe and learn from other student’s
projects. The achievements the EVP has been awarded throughout the years has provided them
continual recognition and support from the university and local companies.
Engineering Technology Courses
The Engineering and Engineering Technology program at Middle Tennessee State University
compiles three different concentrations: Computer Engineering Technology, Electro-Mechanical
Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology. The Experimental Vehicle
Program can fulfill multiple course requirements, which include ET (Engineering Technology)
4801 Problems in Computer Engineering Technology, 4802 Problems in Electro-Mechanical
Technology, 4803 Problems in Mechanical Engineering Technology. It also fulfills the courses
ET 4701 Industrial Topics and 4790 Advanced Problems in Technology. Seniors are permitted to
fulfill their senior project requirement by taking part in the EVP. Students find this course very
beneficial to their professional and educational development3.
NASA Lunar Rover
The NASA Lunar Rover remains one of the most popular in the EVP. It requires the students to
develop and find resolutions to real-world problems that NASA engineers face in creating space
ready exploration crafts [6]. The vehicle is required to handle different terrains while being
lightweight and flexible.
The NASA sponsored Rover Race outlines several general rules that each vehicle must abide by
to qualify. The vehicles must be able to complete a half-mile course of simulated lunar terrain.
Each year the course designers make the competition more difficult by including obstacles to
replicate craters, inclines, and lava ridges [6]. The NASA Lunar Rover must contain two people,
1 male and 1 female to steer and pedal. At the starting line, teams must present their vehicle in a
4X4-starting box and the drivers must assemble the vehicle before beginning the race.
Teammates of the drivers follow close behind to repair the damages that occur on the course.
The vehicles are judged on design and performance. One of the design challenges that the
students will face this year is the development of tires that are airless. Each year the Rover team
grinds to expand upon the designs and knowledge of previous participants of the EVP. See
Figure A.
SAE Baja
The SAE Baja is a challenging project for students in that it involves extensive research on
manufacturing and building an off-road vehicle that will withstand the effects of rugged and
unforgiving terrain. Along with having to operate their vehicle, teams compete against one
another to have their design accepted for manufacture by a fictional company. Students must
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ETD 515
function as a team to not only design, build, test, promote, and race a vehicle within the limits of
the rules, but also to generate financial support for their project and manage their other
educational obligations [5]. See Figure B.
Figure A. NASA Lunar Rover at the Competition
Figure C. Solar Boat Awards won in 2014
Figure B. SAE Baja at the Competition
Figure D. Solar Boat at the Splash Competition
Solar
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Boat
The Solar Boat project competes annually in the Electronics Engineers Power Electronics
Society’s Solar Splash Competition, an international collegiate competition showcasing
solar/electric boating1. The competition requires the vehicle be capable of utilizing and storing
solar energy. While students must follow a set of rules established for the race, they are able to
express creativity when designing their boat. Once the Solar Boat Projects are complete, students
are able to showcase their designs during a five-day competition1. See Figure D.
Formula SAE
Society of Automotive Engineers sponsors the Formula SAE competition, which consists of
formula style race. The vehicles are designed to be open wheeled racers and are judged by their
performance on the track, as well as by their technical and engineering innovation. Students are
given a project budget and timeline they must abide by which adds to the pressures of this
intense project. Teams are also required to showcase the design and build of their vehicle before
racing it on the track5.
Formula Hybrid
The Formula Hybrid project requires students to design and develop an energy efficient vehicle
through researching the field of conservative and renewable energy. Students are given a list of
criteria the vehicle must abide by in order to successfully participate in the annual competition.
The vehicle’s aim is to improve fuel efficiency by 50-70% and save 223 gallons per vehicle per
year. The EVP intends to achieve this by using highly efficient 3-phase AC electric motors and
Lithium Iron Phosphate Prismatic cell batteries4.
Awards
The EVP has continued to prove the quality and significance of the course through obtaining
numerous awards throughout the years. Middle Tennessee State University’s NASA Lunar
Rover Team placed 1st nationally and 3rd internationally in 2013 and 2015. It was also honored
with the most improved award for Most Dramatically Improved Engineering Performance. The
Lunar Rover has also been given the Safety Award because it simulated the original lunar rovers
need for safety and efficiency, and in 2014 they earned Most Unique. For the past four years,
students a part of the EVP have won the Best Engineering Design award, and has also been
awarded the Neil Armstrong Outstanding Design Award. MTSU is recognized for outstanding
achievements in the design of the human exploration rover, and contributions towards the next
step in human exploration of the solar system. The Solar Boat has been awarded with the
Outstanding Workmanship Award due to the fact that it was highly regarded as the most
attractive boat in the entire competition. This award not only praises the boat itself, but the
expertise that is required to build an engineering marvel6. In 2014 the Solar Boat won the
Outstanding Electrical System Design Award, the Outstanding Drive-Train Design Award, First
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Place in Qualifying Event, and won 5th place overall. Along with these numerous awards, the
EVP has been recognized on a state level and was bestowed the Academic Excellence Award in
2012 by the Tennessee Board of Regents. See Figure C and E.
Systems and Programs
The EVP realizes the importance of exposing students to the latest cutting-edge technology. By
mastering these new programs, they can design, collect and analyze data during competitions,
and quickly assess malfunctions. The Wireless Data Acquisition System was created to ensure an
onshore pit crew could collect and analyze data while simultaneously adjusting motor controller
parameters to carefully regulate the power consumption of the electrical system, especially
during the endurance races6. For ease and simplicity, this system utilizes parameter-monitoring
functions of the motor controllers paired with an over-the-counter microcontroller and simple
transducers to provide a complete analysis of the system without an overpriced data acquisition
unit and software6.
One of the most useful tools is the Inventor software, which allows students to input vehicle
designs and fine-tune them through trial and error. The program provides students with the
information required to create the most competent vehicle possible. The technology stimulates
modifications on unique ideas, and at the same time fuels creativity to inspire new designs6.
One of the newest and most exciting developments is the improvement made to the telemetry
device. With an upgraded microprocessor, the team is able to manage more code for the sensors
used. The telemetry and video systems are now lightweight, compact, and modular between
multiple rovers. The data is then gathered during the course route and reported back to home
base in real time6. Along with telemetry, students are exposed to using 3D parts, 3D printing
technology, and laser cutting which assists them in designing their vehicles.
Promoting Group Collaboration
The newly designed EVP courses gives students a chance to expand upon their classroom
education, along with learning communication, cooperation, critical thinking, problem solving
and time management skills. The EVP values the development of these essential skills, which is
why the founder of the program, Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, strongly encourages the mentorship
relationship between the new students and the upper classmates. Students form strong bonds with
their fellow peers through small-group collaboration. In a classroom setting, students might not
be given the opportunity to engage with all their colleagues on a personal level and exercise team
cooperation as a class. Studies have indicated that students who work within small groups tend to
retain more information than students that tend to work individually3. The EVP gives the
students a new and unique experience for the young engineers, where they form relationships
they might not otherwise have been able to in an ordinary classroom setting. In the EVP, the
value is not placed on standardized correct answers, but on creativity and critical thinking6.
“Proceedings of the 2016 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration
Copyright ©2016, American Society for Engineering Education”
ETD 515
Groups provide a safe and secure environment for students to cultivate their talents, as well as a
place for students to belong in which they feel appreciated and more open to sharing their own
opinions and thoughts2. The bonds they form from taking this course has proven not only to
improve their grades, but also increase the likely hood of the students continuing their secondary
education, especially within STEM discipline6.
Figure E. NASA Lunar Rover Team
Future Opportunities
In the competitive job market, companies are looking to hire individuals who not only have realworld experience and education, but also have the skills necessary to be a team player and
effectively communicate their work. By maintaining relationships with companies who assist and
support the EVP, students are given a chance to network and hopefully secure a potential
opportunity of employment after graduation. Sponsors of the EVP find it valuable hiring students
who have taken this course because they are well equipped for the tasks engineers face on the
job. Of those involved with the EVP, 95% receive highly desired jobs upon graduation both at
the national and international level6. The educational benefits of the EVP continue to prepare
young engineers for their future profession, and reinforces why this course has been a success
since its establishment.
Acknowledgments
The Experimental Vehicle Program wants to extend their sincere gratitude to Mr. Jeff Lane of
Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. He continues to provide financial support and
contributions, along with being a dedicated mentor for the EVP members. Because of his
generous donations throughout the years, the EVP has become a transformative program for
ambitious engineers seeking a unique experience.
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Copyright ©2016, American Society for Engineering Education”
ETD 515
Bibliography
[1] National Academy of Engineers. 2011 “Make solar energy economical.” Grand Challenges for Engineering. 12
April 2015. http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9082.aspx.
[2] Hockings, SC, DeAngelis, KJ, & Frey, RF. “Peer-led team learning in general chemistry: implementation
and evaluation.” Journal of Chemical Education. 85.7 (2013): 990-996.
[3] Foroudastan, Dr. Saeed. 2009. “Enhancing Undergraduate Performance through Peer-Led, TeamLearning (PL-TL).” Paper presented at the 2009 ASEE Annual Conference Exposition.
[4] Foroudastan, Dr. Saeed. MTSU Clean Energy Initiative Project Funding Request. N.p., 27 Sept. 2013.
Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
http://mtweb.mtsu.edu/cee/Fall%202013%20applications/13%20Hybrid%20Car%20Project.pdf
[5] Middle Tennessee State University. Engineering Technology-Student Projects. N.p.,2 Mar. 2015. Web.
12 Apr. 2015. http://www.mtsu.edu/et/stuprojects.php.
[6] Foroudastan, Dr. Saeed. "Experimental Vehicles Program Research and Innovation Prepares Students for
Challenges of Tomorrow." Technology Interface International 13.2 (2013): 61-66.
Biography
Dr. Saeed Foroudastan is the Associate Dean for the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS). The CBAS
oversees 10 departments at Middle Tennessee State University. He is also the current Director for the Masters of
Science in Professional Science program and a professor of engineering technology at MTSU. Foroudastan received
his B.S. in civil engineering, his M.S. in civil engineering, and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Tennessee
Technological University. Additionally, he has six years of industrial experience as a Senior Engineer and 17 years
of academic experience as a professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor. Foroudastan’s academic
experience includes teaching at Tennessee Technological University and Middle Tennessee State University in the
areas of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and engineering technology. He has actively advised
undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and minority students in academics and career guidance. Foroudastan
has also served as Faculty Advisor for SAE, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Pre-engineering, ASME,
Experimental Vehicles Program (EVP), and Tau Alpha Pi Honors Society. In addition to Foroudastan’s teaching
experience, he also has performed extensive research and published numerous technical papers. He has secured
more than $2 million in the form of both internal and external grants and research funding. Foroudastan is the
faculty advisor, coordinator, and primary fundraiser for EVP teams entering national research project competitions
such as the Formula SAE Collegiate Competition, the Baja SAE Race, the SolarBike Race, the Great Moonbuggy
Race, and the Solar Boat Collegiate Competition. For his concern for and dedication to his students, Foroudastan
received MTSU awards such as the 2002-03 Outstanding Teaching Award, the 2005-06 Outstanding Public Service
Award, and the 2007 Faculty Advisor of the Year Award. He received the Excellence in Engineering Education
Award and Faculty Advisor Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). He was also nominated for
the MTSU 2005 and 2009-11 Outstanding Research Award. He received two Academic Excellence awards from the
“Proceedings of the 2016 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration
Copyright ©2016, American Society for Engineering Education”
ETD 515
Tennessee Board of Region in 2010-11. Foroudastan has also won many College of Basic and Applied Science
awards. In addition to this, Foroudastan also reviews papers for journals and conference proceedings of ASEE,
ASEE-SE, and ASME, and he has been a session moderator for several professional conferences.
Ms. Karly A. Danhausen holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Grand Valley State University.
She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Professional Science from Middle Tennessee State University.
Danhausen is one of the graduate assistants for the Director of the Master of Science in Professional Science
program and Associate Dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Dr. Saeed Foroudastan. Danhausen is
responsible for reviewing and critiquing research literature, and also assists in composing grants and technical
papers for publication. Danhausen is Vice President of the Master of Science in Professional Science club, and
collaborates with other officers to organize professional networking opportunities for MS-PS students. Ms.
Danhausen also mentors students who are a part of the EVP curriculum in writing technical papers and final reports.
Ms. Chelsea R. Nihill received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University.
She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Professional Science from Middle Tennessee State University.
Nihill is one of the graduate assistants for the Director of the Master of Science in Professional Science program and
Associate Dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Dr. Saeed Foroudastan. Nihill’s responsibilities are
reviewing and critiquing research literature and assisting in composing grants and technical papers for publication.
Ms. Nihill also mentors students who are a part of the EVP curriculum in writing technical papers and final reports.
“Proceedings of the 2016 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration
Copyright ©2016, American Society for Engineering Education”