2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This paper presents a simulation assignment that empowers students to make choices and draw conclusions while reinforcing basic concepts. Students were tasked to select a shape or object with a published drag coefficient, use a simulation tool of their choosing to validate this result, and research the topic further. Several simulation tools were available including commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software and a suggested open-source alternative CFD code. The particulars of the assignment such as the simulation software, object, fluid and its velocity, and level of grid refinement were left up to the student. The research portion was expressed as “do something else”, requiring student to modify either the object or conditions, draw conclusions, and discuss what they discovered. To facilitate the autonomous learning and development of simulation skills, the assignment was accompanied by (1) numerous simulation examples and tutorials for the simulation software available, (2) numerous drag coefficient references, and (3) a grading rubric emphasizing originality and quality over quantity (ranging from “wow” = A to “ugh” = low grade). The project goals were (1) acquiring experience with simulation tools, (2) fostering healthy skepticism in simulation results and published drag coefficient values as they were unlikely to closely match, (3) reinforcing fluid mechanics concepts, and (4) encouraging curiosity, creativity, and self-reliance. Example results are shared in this paper, and student feedback is used to assess the impact of this assignment with the aim at refinement for future course offerings. Students submitting exceptional reports were asked to expand upon them as conference papers or poster presentations at future engineering society meetings.