(550e) Reinforcing Design of Experiments, Regression, and Optimization with Paper Helicopters

This presentation will walk through a module developed for
our sophomore/junior level numerical methods course for chemical engineering
students.  In brief, the students are
divided into small teams with the objective of creating a paper helicopter with
the best loft time.  They are given 32
rectangles of paper to conduct their experiments.  Three significant geometric variables are
identified: rotor length, stem width, and stem length.  The students then use the class period (80
min) to design their set of experiments based on response surface designs
taught previously.  They run their
experiments, and then fit their raw data to a quadratic model.  They determine if the model can be reduced
based on the significance of model coefficients.  They then use this model to determine the
optimal paper helicopter design.  The
class ends with each team submitting their best candidate and having a face-off
competition with bragging rights and glow stick glasses as the ultimate prize.  This course is taught using MATLAB, but could
be readily adopted to other software packages.

https://www.cbe.iastate.edu/blog/2017/10/27/teamwork-takes-flight-with-paper-helicopters-in-cbe-class/