There has been a continuous push among industry, educators, and accreditation organizations to infiltrate all levels of engineering education with design skills development instruments. At Texas A&M University there was the unique opportunity to modify a manufacturing and materials laboratory with this ideal in mind. Prior to 2001 the materials and manufacturing laboratories were independent initiatives. Recently, these courses have been combined into one entity. It was proposed that if these two courses integrated fully under the umbrella of one project, that the students would better understand the nature of product development in design and that this simple change would result in a higher level of learning. The proposed manufacturing and materials selection project was a 1/8th scale replica of a 12 lb. Civil War Napoleon Cannon in a field mount. The product was selected due to its ease of manufacture and potential for addressing a sufficient variety of materials during development. The development of the product followed a simple timeline. Initially, students took an existing model and used it to develop working drawings. Next the barrel material was selected by examining the performance of two materials using common testing methods. Selected materials were then subjected to heat treatment. Once the material processing was complete; Manual Machining, CNC Machining, Welding and a novel Rapid Manufacturing approach were used to produce the cannons. The cannons were then tested and destroyed for metallographic examination. A quasi-experimental two by two factorial design was used to evaluate the effects of the innovative laboratory treatment compared with the effects of standard laboratory treatment. Assessment was performed using two instruments. These instruments consisted of three student surveys and two open-ended qualitative essays graded for depth of learning using analytic rubrics. Preliminary results indicate that the students are highly enthused by the new class. Analysis of the open-ended qualitative essays indicate that the students in the treatment, or project-based, laboratory performed at an equal level to those in the non-treatment, or control group.

The goal of the diploma thesis was to find out how teachers realize project based education with the main focus on grammar school and biology teaching and also explore the influence of project based education on pupil's learning. Data were obtained by the method of semi -structured interviews, which were conducted with twelve teachers and fifty pupils at six grammar schools in three regions of the Czech Republic. The grounded theory method was used for data processing. Teacher's realization of project based education and the influence of project based education on pupil's learning are influenced by various aspects discussed in the thesis. Part of the diploma thesis is an analysis of selected Czech literary and internet sources of information dealing with project based education. Key words: project based education, realization of project based education, grounded theory, grammar school, biology

School project focused on sexually transmitted diseases ABSTRACT This Thesis forms two segments: theoretically oriented and practically oriented. Theoretical background doesn't only deal with development of project-based learning from history to the present but characteristics of project-based learning as such. There is an emphasis on positives at work but also cons that this innovative method brings, analysis of different types of project, important role of a student and a teacher and planning of the project itself. Second segment of theoretical part forms basic information about bacterial and viral diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, syphilis, hepatitis B, genital herpes, AIDS, genital warts and cervical cancer). Practical part is dedicated to application of theory of project-based learning itself into practice. The result is a formation of a particular project called Sexually transmitted diseases, which is then completed on higher level of high school. Further there is thoroughly described project planning, realization and its evaluation. The Thesis emphasizes project-based learning as an innovative process that is capable of helping students with development of key competencies and fulfilling requirements of Framework educational program for upper secondary general education. KEYWORDS: school...

Microbiological Project Using the Disc Diffusion Method for Lower Secondary School ABSTRACT This thesis deals with project-based education and his involvement in the functional structure of the czech educational theory and practice. It refers to the project as an innovative teaching process, which is qualitatively able to shield asked RVP requirements and the implementation of which contributes to the development of educational goals and core competencies. This thesis contains both theoretical aspects are developed through the study of literature and other sources in order to summarize the current state of knowledge of the subject, so practical. Theoretical bases emphasize not only on the characteristics of project-based education as such, but also on the appropriate application of educational strategies in the learning process. Specifically mentioned are possibilities of project-based teaching in the teaching of natural history, biology and ecology. The theoretical background followed by the practical part, which shifts the theory of project learning into practice. There is particular designed a project called "Strength of antibiotics", which is then implemented and reflected. Is described in detail during the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project. KEYWORDS: project-based education, school...

The proper way to manage biological waste has only recently become a topic of discussion and the public still does not have enough information about it and does not have a comprehensive opinion. In order for bio-waste to be properly managed, knowledge of this topic and positive attitude towards it is necessary, in class this could be achieved by activating pupils through project based education. Teaching in projects is a great way to understand the issue, which can influence pupils' attitudes towards bio-waste management. The aim of this diploma thesis is to create a project on the topic of biodegradable waste, and then to find out how the knowledge and opinions of students about bio-waste have changed. The created project was verified at the lower secondary school, for which it is primarily intended. A total of 54 6th-year pupils was involved in this project. They were given a pretest before the start of the project, finding out the initial knowledge about bio-waste and their opinion on the classification of bio-waste. After the project, the pupils completed a posttest and by comparing the individual answers, it was determined whether and how the knowledge of the tested pupils and their attitude towards the topic changed. The answers of individual pupils in the pretest and posttest were evaluated...