Innovative Approaches in Engineering: Inside the Tools for Engineering Course at Wayne College

Tools for Engineering is a class offered at The University of Akron Wayne College for students who are studying various disciplines of engineering (mechanical, civil, aeronautical, chemical, computer, etc.). Scott Gold, Assistant Lecturer of Engineering, notes that the class focuses on various aspects of engineering practice such as ethics, codes and standards, engineering failures and engineering successes. Besides teaching the students about robotics, he also introduces them to Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and computer software for engineering mathematics. Students learn how to use MATLAB, a programming language used for data analysis, and Solidworks, a 3D modeling program. An assignment during the recent fall semester was to model and simulate a test on a steel beam.

Some of the most popular assignments in the class are the robot challenges. Students build custom robots using LEGO Mindstorms to accomplish goals such as pick and place, the stair climbing challenge, and the highly anticipated Battle Bots tournament at the end of semester. Witnessing the creativity and engineering that goes into preparing for the tournament is always exciting, and this year’s tournament had many innovative entries. Some of the inventive designs included a robot that flung a whip while another robot used spinning orbs to knock an opponent off-balance. One of the finalists was built like a tank and flipped over opponents with a hooked arm.

Gabriel Le Denmat, a computer engineering student, explained that when Professor Gold would give the students a task to complete using the bots, he would not tell them how to build the bots; only give them hints if necessary. He said one of the robot tasks involved identifying which one of five boxes outlined on the ground was empty and then placing a 3D printed cube inside that box.

Gabriel added, “while Tools for Engineering was my favorite class this fall, what I like most about Wayne College are the Loud in The Library events, especially Game Night and Trivia Night.” Congratulations to Gabriel for winning this year’s Battle Bots tournament. His winning design (pictured) had the best combination of size and mobility with an intimidating plow that pushed anything in its path.

Students can take general education and certain degree-related courses such as Tools for Engineering at The University of Akron Wayne College before transferring to the main campus. To learn more, view our schedule of classes or contact Student Services at waynessc@uakron.edu or 330-684-8900.