2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

System dynamics can be abstract and mathematically complex to students as it requires knowledge of mathematical modeling and analysis of systems. Practical projects and labs can help students reinforce the concepts and observe the real-world applications. Most importantly, they can be used to foster students’ interest in the subject. This work-in-progress paper describes the implementation of a project incorporated system modeling and verification into a junior-level system dynamics course in the mechanical engineering curriculum. The project required students to mathematical model a practical mechanical system and determine the values of the system parameters based on the experimental data. Then they verified the values of the parameters by comparing the numerical and experimental responses. Students reinforced their learning and connected the real-world application to the theory throughout the process. The project was first introduced in the fall 2023 semester. An anonymous survey was conducted at the end of the project regarding the learning outcomes for the course. Based on the results of the survey, the project helps students practice their skills of system modeling and analysis.