2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Principles of fluid mechanics are a key subject introduced early in mechanical, industrial and civil engineering programs. In the manufacturing sector, fluid power is indispensable for driving hydraulic and pneumatic systems that operate a wide array of machinery such as presses, conveyors, robotic arms, and material handling systems. These systems are crucial for automation in modern manufacturing processes, ensuring precision, repeatability, and energy efficiency. Hydraulic systems provide the power needed for heavy lifting and forming operations, while pneumatic systems offer speed and simplicity for tasks like assembly and packaging. The application of fluid power extends to sectors like automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and construction, where precision-controlled motion and force are essential to the production and assembly of components. Early exposure to such topics is crucial in shaping students’ perceptions of engineering and fostering their developing sense of identity as engineers, which influences their future career paths. This paper investigates how implementing a lab kit, along with five educational modules, enhances students’ understanding of fluid power and its applications in manufacturing. By incorporating hands-on experiences into an introductory fluid power course, we assess how these practical modules impact students’ engagement with the subject, their engineering identity, and their comprehension of core concepts. Each of the five modules targets specific learning objectives, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Students engage with core principles through activities like constructing grippers and basic deadweight testers, mastering data acquisition with Arduino, sensor calibration, and data visualization on LCD screens. Data collection will focus on measuring changes in students’ interest in the material, confidence in self-identification as engineers, and overall comprehension of the material. Surveys were administered after a regular lab session to act as a baseline and a second time, following the completion of the lab kit modules to evaluate students' engagement and perception of engineering identity. Our findings highlight how a single kit with five hands-on modules positively impacts students' understanding of the material, enhances their engineering identity, and strengthens their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical manufacturing applications.