Design and construction of breakwaters and closure dams in estuaries and rivers. Functional requirements, determination of boundary conditions, spatial and constructional design and construction aspects of breakwaters and dams consisting of rock, sand and caissons.

Students act as engineers to learn about the strengths of various epoxy-amine mixtures and observe the unique characteristics of different mixtures of epoxies and hardeners. Student groups make and optimize thermosets by combining two chemicals in exacting ratios to fabricate the strongest and/or most flexible thermoset possible.

Students work in groups to create soap bubbles on a smooth surface, recording their observations from which they formulate theories to explain what they see (color swirls on the bubble surfaces caused by refraction). Then they apply this theory to thin films in general, including porous films used in biosensors, listing factors that could change the color(s) that become visible to the naked eye, and learn how those factors can be manipulated to give information on gene detection. Finally (by experimentation or video), students see what happens when water is dropped onto the surface of a Bragg mirror.

The course is concerned with the concept of structural stability. This concept is applied to discrete and continuous basic structural elements (beams, frames, plates and shells). The fundamental concepts are introduced on the basis of the governing differential equations. The course includes the following topics:

*Equations of motion, nonlinear equilibrium equations, stationary potential energy criterion.
*Stability analysis for the basic structural elements.
*Design methods for stability of basic structural elements.

Students wire up their own digital trumpets using a MaKey MaKey. They learn the basics of wiring a breadboard and use the digital trumpets to count in the binary number system. Teams are challenged to play songs using the binary system and their trumpets, and then present them in a class concert.

Whether you want to light up a front step or a bathroom, it helps to have a light come on automatically when darkness falls. For this maker challenge, students create their own night-lights using Arduino microcontrollers, photocells and (supplied) code to sense light levels and turn on/off LEDs as they specify. As they build, test, and control these night-lights, they learn about voltage divider circuits and then experience the fundamental power of microcontrollers—controlling outputs (LEDs) based on sensor (photocell) input readings and if/then/else commands. Then they are challenged to personalize (and complicate) their night-lights—such as by using delays to change the LED blinking rate to reflect the amount of ambient light, or use many LEDs and several if/else statements with ranges to create a light meter. The possibilities are unlimited!

Students build solar USB chargers using solar panels, rechargeable batteries, and other components.

Students are challenged to design their own small-sized prototype light sculptures to light up a hypothetical courtyard. To accomplish this, they use Arduino microcontrollers as the “brains” of the projects and control light displays composed of numerous (3+) light-emitting diodes (LEDs). With this challenge, students further their learning of Arduino fundamentals by exploring one important microcontroller capability—the control of external circuits. The Arduino microcontroller is a powerful yet easy-to-learn platform for learning computer programing and electronics. LEDs provide immediate visual success/failure feedback, and the unlimited variety of possible results are dazzling!

There is no doubt that the quantum computer and the quantum internet have many profound applications, they may change the way we think about information, and they could completely change our daily life.

But how do a quantum computer and a quantum internet work? What scientific principles are behind it? What kind of software and protocols do we need for that? How can we operate a quantum computer and a quantum internet? And which disciplines of science and engineering are needed to develop a fully working system?

In a series of two MOOCs, we will take you through all layers of a quantum computer and a quantum internet. The first course will provide you with the scientific basis by explaining the first layer: the qubits. We will discuss the four types of qubits that QuTech research center at Delft University of Technology focuses on: topological qubits, Spin qubits, Trans qubits and NV Centre qubits. We will teach you the working principles of qubits and, at the same time, the working principles of a computer made of these qubits.

In the upcoming second course, we will introduce the other layers needed to build a quantum computer and a quantum internet, such as the micro-architecture, compilers, quantum error correction, repeaters and quantum algorithms.

These two courses offer you an opportunity to deepen your knowledge by continuing the journey started in our first MOOC, which focused on the applications of a quantum computer and a quantum internet.

Note that these courses offer a full overview of the layers of a quantum computer and a quantum internet, and therefore they will not go into too much detail per layer. For learners seeking to fully understand one specific topic we can recommend other courses authored by QuTech:

There is no doubt that the quantum computer and the quantum internet have many profound applications, they may change the way we think about information, and they could completely change our daily life.

But how do a quantum computer and a quantum internet work? What scientific principles are behind it? What kind of software and protocols do we need for a quantum computer and a quantum internet? Which disciplines of science and engineering are needed to develop these? And how can we operate a fully working system?

In this series of two courses, we take you through all layers of a quantum computer and a quantum internet. In part 1 we explained the first layer: the qubits. We introduced the most promising quantum platforms and discussed how to do quantum operations on the physical qubits. In part 2 we will introduce the other layers needed to build and operate a quantum computer and a quantum internet, such as the quantum classical interface, micro-architecture, compilers, quantum error correction, networks and protocols and quantum algorithms.

These two courses offer you an opportunity to deepen your knowledge by continuing the journey started in our first course, which focused on the applications of a quantum computer and a quantum internet.

Note that these courses offer a full overview of the layers of a quantum computer and a quantum internet, and therefore they will not go into too much detail per layer. For learners seeking to fully understand one specific topic we can recommend other courses authored by QuTech:

In the field of Quantum Internet: Quantum Cryptography
In the field of topological phenomena: Topology in Condensed Matter
This course is authored by experts from the QuTech research center at Delft University of Technology. In the center, scientists and engineers work together to enhance research and development in quantum technology. QuTech Academy’s aim is to inspire, share and disseminate knowledge about the latest developments in quantum technology.

Students build their own small-scale model roller coasters using pipe insulation and marbles, and then analyze them using physics principles learned in the associated lesson. They examine conversions between kinetic and potential energy and frictional effects to design roller coasters that are completely driven by gravity. A class competition using different marbles types to represent different passenger loads determines the most innovative and successful roller coasters.

Students create and decorate their own spectrographs using simple materials and holographic diffraction gratings. A holographic diffraction grating acts like a prism, showing the visual components of light. After building the spectrographs, students observe the spectra of different light sources as homework.

Students learn how to build simple piezoelectric generators to power LEDs. To do this, they incorporate into a circuit a piezoelectric element that converts movements they make (mechanical energy) into electrical energy, which is stored in a capacitor (short-term battery). Once enough energy is stored, they flip a switch to light up an LED. Students also learn how much (surprisingly little) energy can be converted using the current state of technology for piezoelectric materials.

Students create and analyze composite materials with the intent of using the materials to construct a structure with optimal strength and minimal density. The composite materials are made of puffed rice cereal, marshmallows and chocolate chips. Student teams vary the concentrations of the three components to create their composite materials. They determine the material density and test its compressive strength by placing weights on it and measuring how much the material compresses. Students graph stress vs. strain and determine Young's modulus to analyze the strength of their materials.

Students design and construct electromagnets that must pick up 10 staples. They begin with only minimal guidance, and after the basic concept is understood, are informed of the properties that affect the strength of that magnet. They conclude by designing their own electromagnets to complete the challenge of separating scrap steel from scrap aluminum for recycling, and share it with the class.

The resource "Building ant bot" is included in the "Electrical engineering" course from Khan Academy. This resource is one of the sub-topics in the "Lego robotics" topic area.

The resource "Bumper switches" is included in the "Electrical engineering" course from Khan Academy. This resource is one of the sub-topics in the "Home-made robots" topic area.

Students conduct a simple experiment to see how the water level changes in a beaker when a lump of clay sinks in the water and when the same lump of clay is shaped into a bowl that floats in the water. They notice that the floating clay displaces more water than the sinking clay does, perhaps a surprising result. Then they determine the mass of water that is displaced when the clay floats in the water. A comparison of this mass to the mass of the clay itself reveals that they are approximately the same.

Designing a new business model is one thing, but how do you actually put it into practice? How do you move from your current model to a new business model?

In this business and management course, you will learn how to make a practical action plan to implement your new business model.

You will create a business model roadmap that will include practical activities that take into consideration the possible risks associated with moving to a new business model.

You will also learn about the practical factors that need to be taken into consideration during the transition process, i.e. the competency of your people and your IT, in order to successfully implement a new business model.

Do you want to enhance your business model by creating a clear focus or implement your new business model innovation into your IT?

In this business and management course, we will discuss business model agility and how specific business model metrics will help you focus on the overall goals of our business.

You will also learn about advanced tools to help support the bridge between business model thinking and IT implementation.