Cardboard Boat Regatta: A creative design experience for an introductory engineering course

Abstract

The introduction to engineering experience at the University of the Pacific has been enhanced through implementation of a freshman design project that goes beyond the traditional design competition approach to introductory design. In addition to gaining hands-on knowledge of the design process, development of teamwork skills, communication skills, and enjoyment have become integral parts of the experience through implementation of the annual "Cardboard Boat Regatta". Student communication skills are enhanced through project-integrated memo, progress report, formal report, and formal presentation assignments that are based on the students' boat designs. The regatta has become the pinnacle course event based on the variety of innovative design concepts and the reality that all of the boats eventually sink and watching them go down is quite entertaining.