Observation #1: TAMK - Formula Car Lab

TAMK has a Laboratory with four cars that could be used as raw material for student research and education in Engineering courses. In this observation we could see how the students get motivated and put their hands on to achieve the learning goals that were defined.

Formula Lab is a rich learning environment and the engineering classes are integrated to the problems and students practices. Students can deal with car problems and their different engines (air conditioning, pistons, brake systems and other car parts). There are also many tools that could be used. The four cars that them could analyse and work on are from different brands and have different ages. The idea is to know some modern technologies and also understand how a car with no “last technology” works. All cars were bought by TAMK and any brand has given them any discount or parts, although this is also possible.

The teachers told us that in that place there are no lectures, so every learning occurs based on practice. The class we observa was related to measurement and students must took the equipment in their hands to reach the tsks that were defined. Therefore, to start a practical class the students also receive security instruction lectures to work safely on Labs. Although this is important, there was always a teacher supporting students in class where we observe.

The lab is quite big, so I think the layout is enough to the knowledge construction of students. One thing that one of students that we talk with said was that sometimes the parts are well used by all students and them could not observe the minimum details of it. However, this is not a big problem, according them. The interest of students in practical activities is bigger than in lectures. Motivation and study are needs for this kind of approach. The students also make their understanding and, after the classes, they have to write a report to assessment and then to present their reports to others. Its a way of assessment and also to correct some mistakes that were made.

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