2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Students (and instructors) of Dynamics often appreciate the practical applications and demonstrations of the subject. Dunwoody College of Technology has incorporated a kinematics and kinetics group project in the Dynamics course for eight offerings. The project is scaffolded over the course of the semester so students can apply the concepts they’re learning in class to the project. Several deliverables throughout the semester help keep students on track. Recent implementations include a greater focus on computer programming to reinforce those skills from prior semesters.

This paper reviews the history of the project and presents findings for student learning as a result of participating in the project. More recent offerings have shifted from a design and build approach to more analysis and application to a pre-built design. Differences between the two approaches are explored and discussed along with the presentation of relevant data relating to student perceptions of learning and confidence with projectile kinematics and kinetics.