2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

For the first time at XXXX, we were able to offer a study abroad program in Rome that stressed foundational mechanics courses. Because we are on the quarter system, we compressed statics into 4 weeks, followed by 6 1/2 weeks of dynamics and strength of materials. The program attracted 20 engineering students, including 11 male and 9 females undergraduates. Half were mechanical engineering students, and the other half included biomedical, aerospace, materials, industrial, and civil engineering majors. A number of excursions were included to take advantage of the rich history of Italy. These included trips to three different Leonardo Da Vinci museums, visits to Florence and the leaning tower of Pisa, city walks to the Aqueduct park and various Roman temples and churches, a trip to Venice and Padua, and tours of the Lamborghini and Vespa museums and factories. Initial intentions were to include many more examples of Roman innovation into the basic mechanics courses, but time constraints and the pull of pizza and pasta prevented the instructor from doing as much as they would have liked. The program also had the advantage that one instructor taught all three courses, and was able to make connections between them that are not traditionally done. Initial reactions from students will be discussed, and lessons learned from leading a new study abroad program in mechanics will be shared.