Looking back: A student review and history of AerosPACE - A multi-university, multi-disciplinary, distributed, industry-university capstone project

Abstract

This paper describes the first three years of a multi-university, multi-discipline, team-based, design-build-test/fly project called AerosPACE. All authors are former students who took the AerosPACE course. The paper does not present a rigorous research approach, but rather, particular focus is placed on the first-hand student experience and consequent translation of learned skills into the workforce. The evolution of the industry-sponsored program is outlined including lessons-learned, student experiences and achievements. A methodology which other industry sponsors could use to replicate and scale similar projects in other fields is discussed. To conclude the paper, the authors (all alumni of the program who are now working in industry) offer their thoughts on how the program has impacted their early careers in industry.