Teaching the Mathematical Optimization Concept to First-Year Engineering Students Using a Practical Problem

City University of New York. Creative Commons. 205 East 42 Street, New York, NY 10017. Web site: https://commons.hostos.cuny.edu/mtrj

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Mathematics; College Freshmen; Engineering; Lesson Plans; Curriculum Design; Foreign Countries; Teaching Methods; Problem Based Learning; Problem Solving; Experiential Learning; Simulation

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Optimization is a vital mathematical concept widely applied in various engineering fields. However, teaching this subject to engineering students often involves abstract materials, making it challenging for them to grasp. To address this issue, a group of five mathematics lecturers collaborated on designing a practical lesson on optimization for first-year engineering students. The aim was to present the concept through a real-world problem, making it more accessible and applicable. The lesson focused on the design of water channels used for transferring water from sources to farms, showcasing how engineers can create optimal water channels with different geometrical cross-sections for agricultural purposes. This approach allowed students to see the direct application of mathematics in the real-world. The lesson was conducted as a three-hour workshop and attended by 38 volunteer first-year engineering students at a Malaysian university. Data were collected through observations and interviews and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Feedback from both the lecturers and the participating students indicated that this teaching method significantly enhanced their conceptual understanding of mathematical optimization. Moreover, it fostered the development of problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between engineering and mathematics.

As Provided

2024

EJ1409241