4. CONCLUSION
The MUG was designed, manufactured and tested for an
undergraduate course of Marine Systems Engineering to show
students the working principle of underwater gliders, and provide
a creative platform for marine systems exploration. Thirty
students were divided into 8 groups. And each group was
encouraged to propose new ideas in building their own glider on
the basis of MUG, without using any kit. In the process, several
important and encouraging features of the student’s work were
observed:
1) Most of the student groups succeeded to arrive at original
and creative solutions to their design. The reasons for the
group that couldn’t finish mainly include the complicated
design and limited period of time.
2) Design solutions were achieved through invention,
experimentation and discussion and not through didactic,
prescribed instructions.
3) The iterative engineering design was highly apparent in each
group’s work, with solutions evolving through successive
cycles of designing, testing and modification. Students were
easy to feel frustrated when they encountered some problems
in the first time. And then they took pride in solving those
problems. Gradually, they became more patient and
persevering, which are the essential characters for a
researcher.
4) Positive teamwork habits were induced within each group
during the discussion, allotment and collaboration in the
work.
5) Students were highly engaged in the work, and enjoyed what
they were doing.
More details and information of the students’ work can be
viewed on the project web site:
http://www.naoe.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp/naoe/naoe7/MUG.html. These
innovative designs of MUG’s mechanical structure enabled a
simple, low-cost while effective underwater glider. Thereby,
besides the use for education, MUG also has the potential for the
markets of toys and scientific models so as to inspire more youth
with regards to marine science and engineering.