The seminar is going to be about simulation, mostly simulation of mechanisms but depending on the participants' backgrounds and interest areas we will be covering a lot of other topics as well. We will look at the simulation process as a vehicle to help us go from math/physics to physical objects. Mekanimo will be our main tool for computer simulation. I will cover the basics of Mekanimo at the beginning of the seminar. We will be using the book How Round is Your Circle as our guide. This is a very interesting and unique book that I enjoyed reading. It will provide us a starting point but where we may end up is going to be up to the participants.
We will be frequently visiting problem solving methodology and computing as well. Learning from failure is going to be another hot topic. Anyone who simulated a process/product and then physically built them could tell you how things almost never work as planned. To be able to identify the reason why it didn't, we need to thoroughly understand the topic at hand. I think failures are opportunities for deep level understanding.
If this sounds interesting to you then join us.
