One hour sessions: (3-6 p.m.)

Assessing the Impact of Pen-based Computing
and Collaboration-facilitating Software on Student Learning
Julia Williams, Executive Director, Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment & Professor, English

As part of a $100,000 grant from Microsoft Research, Rose-Hulman faculty have been implementing the use of pen-based tablet computers with collaboration-facilitating software, DyKnow Vision, in various classroom and laboratory contexts. Their efforts are being assessed to measure the impact of the hardware/software combination on student learning. In this presentation, faculty from the Chemistry, Computer Science and Software Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics and Optical Engineering Departments will demonstrate applications of the technology, show tools being used to assess the project, and share lessons learned.

ChallengeX - Crossover to Sustainable Mobility
Zachariah Chambers, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Rose-Hulman is one of 17 schools selected to design, build, and test a hybrid Chevrolet Equinox using alternative fuels for ChallengeX, a General Motors-Department of Energy sponsored international competition. Utilizing advanced vehicle simulation software, the Rose-Hulman team has selected a bio-diesel powersplit architecture as well as predicted vehicle performance, which will nearly double the fuel efficiency while maintaining stock performance in acceleration, towing, and interior capacity. Dr. Chambers, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Co-Advisor, will present the team's progress to date and show how our team of nearly 50 interdisciplinary students intends to compete with research focused universities.

Engineering Forensics Research Institute - Fostering Quality REU Experiences
Kevin Sutterer, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Engineering Forensics Research Institute

Rose-Hulman's civil engineering department offers a multidisciplinary summer REU centered on engineering failures and forensic engineering. Unique features of the program illustrate the advantages of offering REUs at undergraduate focused engineering programs. This Showcase session will review the features that comprise the Engineering Forensics Research Institute, the benefits and challenges of REU facilitation, and student insights from REU experiences at Rose-Hulman. Setting realistic expectations, gaining institute support, dealing with "REU burnout" and managing student conflicts will be some of the topics addressed. REU facilitators and participants are welcomed and encouraged to join in this discussion session..

Our Second International Senior Design Project
John Aidoo, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering
Robert Houghtalen, Head and Professor of Civil Engineering
Matt Lovell, Graduate Student, Purdue University

In 2005, the Department of Civil Engineering at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology decided to incorporate an international component into its 18 year old capstone senior design course. In our first international project, some major problems were encountered and the lessons learned were documented. Armed with this experience, we decided to undertake a second international senior design project. This presentation discusses how recommendations and experiences gained from our first international project were used to our advantage.

An Assessment Framework for a Large-Scale, Web-Delivered Resource Project for Middle School Teachers of Math, Science, and Technology
Pat Carlson, Professor of American Literature
Dale Bremmer, Professor of Economics

Hosted at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, PRISM (Portal Resources for Indiana Science and Mathematics) is a free "window" on digital resources for learning. The project is funded through a grant from the Lilly Endowment. In assessing the efficacy of PRISM within the geographically dispersed, highly diverse, and complex state-wide educational environment, we have elected to analyze factors - including intensity of PRISM usage - that affect student performance on state-mandated competency exams. We will discuss our interpretation of these data results, as well as comment upon our methods within the context of program assessment for large-scale, diffuse educational interventions.

Rubrics: Helping You and Students Perform Better
Jim Hanson, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering

Jim Hanson, CE Department, will present ways to develop and utilize rubrics in your courses. As a tool for assessing performance on a task, a rubric can be a tremendous asset to both instructors and students. It lists the criteria important for evaluation, and it distinguishes between levels of performance in each criterion. Some of the areas to be discussed include: how these tools can help the instructor; how these tools can help the students; how to develop rubrics; and what resources are available for developing rubrics.

Fostering Interdisciplinary Research Experiences for Undergraduates (and the Faculty Who Work With Them)
Ella Ingram, Assistant Professor of Applied Biology
Penney Miller, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Co-director of RHIT's Center for Sustainable Development
Michael Robinson, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Co-director of RHIT's Center for Sustainable Development

Interdisciplinary research and collaborations are increasingly important in the realm of sustainability studies. A challenge to implementing interdisciplinary research is the ever more specific knowledge and skill set expected of engineering and science graduates. In this session, three researchers involved in interdisciplinary research will present lessons learned about science and engineering, about collaboration, and about assessment in the implementation of an interdisciplinary sustainability initiative. The strategies used to incorporate and mentor students in the research process will be highlighted, as will strategies used to assess outcomes when the number of participants is small.

Tours: Meet in Olin Lobby

Art Tour
Steve Letsinger, Art Curator

One of the aesthetic delights for Rose-Hulman students is the Institute's art collection and annual temporary exhibition series. The Permanent Collection numbers nearly 2000 works, including sculpture, and there are on average 20 temporary exhibits of work by local, national, and international artists on a yearly basis. The long term commitment of the school to the visual arts stems from a belief that the education of the engineer or scientist can be expanded and enhanced by contact with the boundless creative possibilities present in the arts and by having this commitment we find ourselves studying and working in a more pleasant environment. The tour will include the current temporary exhibits as well as the 19th century British Watercolors Collection and the Tri-Kappa Collection of work by Hoosier Artists. See a preview at http://www.rose-hulman.edu/Users/groups/AdminSvcs/html/art/index.htm

Campus Tours
Wayne Spary, Vice President of Facilities Operations

Since 1996 Rose-Hulman has added several new facilities including the $21M Sports and Recreation Center, the $6.7M John T. Myers Center for Technological Research with Industry, the $11M Sophomore Residence Hall, the $700K Oakley Observatory, the $2.8M White Chapel, the $14.7M Hatfield Hall Auditorium and Alumni Center and the recently completed $13.5M student apartment style residence hall, designed to accommodate 240 students. Guides will be available to conduct tours of many of these new facilities.

Electrical and Computer Engineering Integrated Laboratory Tours
Fred Berry, Head and Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department has a long tradition of emphasizing hands-on and minds-on learning through rigorous laboratory experiences designed to help our students discover and understand the laws, principles, and concepts of engineering, mathematics, and science. Our philosophy of hands-on and minds-on learning prepares our graduates to be leaders of the technology-economy.

John J Myers Center for Technological Research with Industry
Dan Moore, Associate Dean of Faculty and Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The 40,000-square-foot, two-story building contains large and small spaces for engineering design and project construction. The facility, in addition to providing student project support space, provides advanced project support in areas such as 3-D rapid prototyping, electronic circuit board fabrication, and advanced mechanical, chemical, and optical test and analysis equipment. The tour will include visits to the support areas as well as discussion of operational philosophy and relationship to undergraduate mission.

Rose-Hulman Ventures Tour
Bill Kline, Associate Dean of Professional Experiences and Associate Professor of Engineering Management

Rose-Hulman Ventures, a department of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, provides educational opportunities for students and faculty while assisting technology-driven businesses. This unique combination creates career opportunities for new graduates and the development of innovative technologies and technology companies. This showcase will feature a tour of the 35,000 square-foot facility at Aleph Park, a Certified Technology Park. Visitors will see the equipment, offices, and other facilities that provide an environment for creative thinking for students, faculty, and entrepreneurs.

The Ultrashort Pulse Laser Laboratory Tour at South Campus
Galen Duree, Associate Professor of Physics and Optical Engineering

The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Ultrashort Pulse Laser Laboratory consists of two laboratories at our South Campus. The current primary areas of research are in machining, filament formation and characterization, and ultrashort pulse laser induction effects in operating circuits. One of the unique features of this laser lab at Rose-Hulman is that undergraduate students are the primary users of this facility. There are even freshman involved in some of the ultrashort pulse laser research projects. Since the pulses of light are shorter in time than the time it takes an atom to respond to being hit by the light, teaching students to work with this type of laser light provides ample learning experiences for all students. Although the main project is to support the Navy in the area of missile countermeasures, most of the emphasis is on providing the undergraduate students with a hands-on experience as we teach them how to work with such state-of-the-art technology.