Engineering Fundamentals - Loads, Forces & Materials - STEM at Work

This class will introduce engineering core principals and vocabulary that every engineer must understand in the development of skills for the built environment (bridges, buildings, roads, etc.). Forces and loadings will be applied to simple beams as typically prepared by engineers and architects. Students will see how these diagrams are developed using typical loads and forces that describe how most of the built environment is put together.
Load types will also be discussed. How they are determined as tools for use by engineers and how they are used to develop loading diagrams. "Dead Loads, Live loads, Deflection, Concentrated loads & Uniform Loads" will be described.

Additionally, some of the most common building materials will be covered based upon their individual characteristics, deflection and ability to withstand certain forces.
Finally, we will show students how to use these prescriptive concepts and principals in an example of calculating loads and forces from ancient times.

While this entire subject sounds highly technical, the tools that students should take home, while essential to engineers everywhere, can be applied to many different disciplines and situations in their lives. Discussion is open and questions, while absolutely encouraged, should be minimal once these concepts are understood or even partially understood.

This is a Powerpoint presentation with video shorts, including a well-documented engineering failure, that will show everyone the importance of good engineering practices and how they translate into modern society.

A knowledge of the metric system as well as knowing mass versus weight may prove helpful but is not necessary.
Simple mathematical equations will be shown. Essentials such as multiplication, numerator and denominator should be WELL understood.