CBC students present research at 2016 ASEE- GSW Annual Conference

Headline: CBC students present research at 2016 ASEE- GSW Annual Conference

Students and faculty from Coastal Bend College’s (CBC) Computer Science Program recently traveled to the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Gulf- Southwest (GSW) Section Annual Conference. Texas Christian University (TCU) hosted the annual conference in Fort Worth, Texas on March 6-8.

The ASEE-GSW Annual Conference encourages educators, students and industry professionals to share their experiences in topics pertaining to engineering education. Students are invited to submit papers or extended abstracts in hopes of being selected to present their research at the ASEE- GSW Annual Conference.

Two of CBC’s students submitted abstracts and were selected to present their research topics at the ASEE-GSW Annual Conference. The students who were selected include Martha Hernandez and Breanna Sanchez.

Hernandez presented her research and findings titled “Feasibility of Virtual Reality as a Classroom Tool”. Her presentation showcased the results from a pilot study that was conducted at CBC. The pilot study tested the use of an augmented/virtual reality system (AVRS).

The AVRS was utilized as an enhancement tool inside of the classroom. Hernandez hoped that the AVRS technology would increase student engagement and learning in of the classroom. During the AVRS simulations, students experienced a solar system.

Students who participated in the pilot study shared their AVRS experiences with Hernandez through reflection essays and verbal communication. Comments included feeling an added sense of engagement, increased retention of the material being presented, and an increased ability to utilize the learned material.

Sanchez chose to address the issue of the life of batteries and increasing their life through the use of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). She presented her research titled “Extending the Life of Robotics through the use of a PEMFC”.

In order to test her battery longevity theory, Sanchez conducted her experiment with a robotic buggy. Previous research conducted about fuel cell performance highlighted a fuel cells’ performance in a relatively steady state over long periods of time. Sanchez’ experiment contends previous research by considering the PEM fuel cell’s actual performance inside of a robotic buggy.

Sanchez utilized four courses to test the PEM fuel cell’s performance. Each course increased in length and required the robotic buggy to make consistent stops. Valuable research data was gathered and utilized to identify the minimum distance a robotic buggy must travel to increase its battery life using a PEM fuel cell system.

For more information about CBC’s Computer Science and Computer Information Technology department, please visit the College’s official website at www.coastalbend.edu.