Session: 09-01-05: Curriculum Innovations, Pedagogy and Learning Methodologies, Globalization of Engineering and Engineering Accreditation

Paper Number: 141836

141836 - United States -South Africa International Collaboration Leading to a Unique Summer Research Experience of Stem Scholars: Lessons From a Pilot Initiative 

Professor  Kumpaty  provided  unique  opportunities  to Milwaukee School of Engineering Undergraduate Engineering Students to conduct materials research in summers at excellent research centers in India and South Africa through both IRES site,  OISE-1001605  (2011-2013)  and  REU  Site  International component, EEC-1460183 (2015-2017) funded by the National Science Foundation. Through current NSF S-STEM grant, DUE-2027632,  two  undergraduate  mechanical  engineering  students spent  six  weeks  at  Stellenbosch  University  near  Cape  Town, South Africa on the first-ever STEM Scholar research initiative abroad. The seeds of this collaboration with Professor Natasha Sacks in South Africa started in 2017 and various challenges for an opportunity for a pilot study were overcome and many lessons have  emerged  from  the  successful  implementation  in  2023. Students worked on Design and Analysis of Lattice Structures in a Racing Bike Stem and presented both orally and in a poster session at both institutions.

MSOE  received  its  first-ever  S-STEM  grant  in  2020 which supports academically talented but financially challenged students.  PI  Kumpaty  has  been  connecting  STEM  scholar cohorts  with  industry  for  internships  and  guiding  them  in securing REU positions at various universities in the U.S. The thought of research abroad has been a difficult idea for scholars to  embrace  while  they  were  trying  to  settle  down  in  their coursework and strive for academic success. In the meantime, Kumpaty and Sacks have collaborated on the research areas and logistics for U.S. undergraduate students to participate in a pilot study,  for  a  few  years.  In  Spring  2023,  several  MS  Teams sessions were conducted to meet students interested in attending Stellenbosch  University  as  a  Research  Affiliate.  Various logistical details will be provided in the paper to highlight the preparation needed to establish viable programs for international collaboration.

Upon completion of the research project, it is apparent that there is a significant advantage to using lattice structures to lightweight  a  design.  Furthermore,  the  precision  of  SLM manufacturing is a perfect match for creating lattice structures. Regarding bike stems, this technology could be used to quickly and accurately produce custom components for specific bicycle geometries. This not only expedites the production process but allows for tailor-made components that require no modifications and can be immediately installed. 

The impacts of this global and cultural immersion are manifold.  Participants  have  an  appreciation  for  working  with engineers  and  scientists  and  meeting  with  people  of  South Africa. The faculty are impacted as well in terms of our resources and  pedagogies  in  training  and  developing  the  future  STEM workforce. Overall, we find global perspectives to aid excellence in engineering education.

 The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of this work through the National Science Foundation S-STEM Grant DUE-2027632. Additionally,  the  two  undergraduate  students  would like  to  give  thanks  to  their  advisor,  Dr.  Subha  Kumpaty,  for facilitating this research opportunity and well as Prof. Natasha Sacks for her mentoring and generosity in providing access to the facilities of Stellenbosch University.

Presenting Author: Subha Kumpaty Concordia University Wisconsin

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Subha Kumpaty, currently Chair of Engineering at Concordia University Wisconsin, previously a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering (1997-2023), has led several initiatives involving undergraduate students, such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates, International Research Experiences for Students and S-STEM. He has been the Principal Investigator of REU, IRES and S-STEM grants, all funded by the National Science Foundation This work is part of the S-STEM grant and in collaboration with Professor Natasha Sacks of Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Authors:

Subha Kumpaty Concordia University Wisconsin
Jack Hoeffel Milwaukee School of Engineering
Ken'triana Mcdade Milwaukee School of Engineering
Natasha Sacks Stellenbosch University