STEM Program

Mechanical Engineering Applications: Planes, F1 Cars, and Rockets

Faculty Advisor: Research Fellow, Phutung Research Institute; Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University

Research Program Introduction

Mechanical Engineering is not only one of the oldest engineering disciplines in the world but also one of the most versatile—the applications of this discipline span from the design of the simplest screw to the tallest rocket. In this program, we will cover aspects of Mechanical Engineering that have led to some of the most important, and exciting, technological advances in the world. 

We will study how these planes stay in the air, how they are controlled, and the kind of engines that are used for different types of planes. We will also take a closer look at some of the more interesting airplanes that have flown to date. 

Taking a step away from airplanes, we will study flying outside of the planet - and look at rocket flight, and how we left the planet to go to the moon, with the legendary Saturn V rocket in the Apollo program. 

Coming back to earth, we will explore how the technological marvel of Formula 1 enables the fastest road travel, and find out why F1 is called an “Engineering competition disguised as a race!” What makes these engines so unique, and why are there wings on Formula 1 cars? This module will answer these questions!

Standards of Assessment

Each student will pick a topic that explores an aspect of mechanical engineering, either through complete product analysis concerning design elements or through the study of how some of the design decisions led to disasters. In either case, students would have to demonstrate an understanding of mechanical design concepts.

Possible Topics For Final Project

  • Choose a unique aircraft, rocket, or Formula 1 car from any period in history and write a report on what makes it special.

  • Analyze the current generation Formula 1 Power Unit and its potential adaptation for more efficient road cars.

  • Explore what makes the wings of the Boeing 787 unique and how they compare to the proposed Boeing 777X wings.

  • Compare SpaceX and Blue Origin in their approaches to reusable rocket technology.

  • Investigate what went wrong with the Boeing 737 MAX.

  • Examine whether the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster was due to engineering flaws or management decisions.

  • Or other topics in this subject area that you are interested in, and that your professor approves after discussing it with you.

Program Detail

  • Cohort size: This cohort is limited to 3 to 6 students

  • Workload: Around 4-5 hours per week (including class and homework time)

  • Required Materials: Students will have to purchase the following books:

    • Skunk Works: A personal memoir of my years at Lockheed, by Ben Rich

    • How to Build a Car, by Adrian Newey

  • Target students: 9-12th grade students interested in Physics, Engineering, especially Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, or other related areas.