The Cornerstone Project: First-Year Speed School of Engineering Student's Makerspace Experience

Dr. Brian Robinson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Fundamentals at UofL's J.B. Speed School of Engineering (SSoE). He served 9 years in the U.S. Navy as an enlisted engineer prior to resuming his academic/professional career at SSoE. His education includes numerous engineering-related naval courses, two years of collegiate study at the University of New Orleans, and he earned his B.S., MEng and PhD in Mechanical Engineering during his academic tenure at SSoE. Brian’s research has produced numerous journal publications and conference proceedings, and has resulted in the installation of the dual-axis solar tracker and construction of the Passive Solar Test Facility, both located on the UofL campus. He has recently discovered a passion in, and has developed research pertaining to, the field of Engineering Education. Brian’s teaching interests lie within all things engineering related. This is evident in the range of courses he has taught, including Heat Transfer, Machine Design, Nuclear Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Data Acquisition & Digital Signal Processing, Mechanical Measurements, and Heat Exchanger Design – in addition to numerous Engineering Fundamental courses. Brian created and is currently directly responsible for execution, maintenance, and oversight of ENGR 111: a novel, high-profile introductory course in engineering fundamentals for all SSoE first-year students. ENGR 111 is predominantly an active learning experience that takes place in the UofL Engineering Garage makerspace, and has been effectively structured in a manner that provides for student introduction, development, and application of significant engineering fundamental skills – including design methodology and analysis.

James E. Lewis, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Fundamentals at the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville. He has been working for Speed since May 1995. He received his B.A. in Computer Science from Hanover College in 1994. He received his M.S. in Computer Science (1996) and his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering (2003) from the University of Louisville.

Mr. Eisenmenger has over 30 years of experience as a teacher/practitioner in the areas of construction technology, architectural design and engineering graphics. His personal experiences in the field, combined with his natural curiosity regarding the built environment and advances in technology, continue to influence his teaching as he works to help students learn how to use traditional and current techniques to visualize their creations.

Dr. Foreman has worked approximately 15 years in industry as a control systems engineer for companies including Westinghouse, Cinergy, and Alcoa, in the control of power, water, and manufacturing processes. Dr. Foreman has also taught and performed research in cyber-security of critical infrastructure and power generation for approximately 10 years as a post doctoral scholar and professor with the University of Louisville and Purdue University.

Nick Hawkins is a PhD student in SSoE's Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. His research is in the field of renewable energy integration (solar and wind). Nick has been an essential component of the ENGR 111 leadership.