Module 4: Physics through the 'Engineering Lens'

Introduction: 1st aim is to learn the physics independent of the math. 2nd aim is to apply the math and physics to the natural and engineering world. This will answer the most vexing questions that students have: will this ever be useful to me? and will also give students a sneak peek into what a day in the life of various professions feels like enabling them to make smarter career choices.

Part 1: The entire physics syllabus from school to college is covered under 6 sections: 1) Newtonian mechanics 2) Waves and Fluids 3) Thermodynamics 4) Electricity and Magnetism 5) Optics 6) Modern Physics

Focus will be on developing a strong foundational understanding of physics independent of the Math. The focus will also be to come to a concrete understanding of the mathematical formulas in physics and unravel the fascinating stories that lie hidden in those equations.

Part 2: To apply textbook physics to real-world applications. The projects will also include an assessment of the technical feasibility and economic viability of the options. This much needed economic considerations is missing from traditional education.

Some of the 'Engineering projects' in the program:

1) Designing a space mission to Moon/Mars (will be done using a software)

2) Docking a space shuttle on the International Space Station

3) Designing the power supply of a city (From power plant to grid to fan) using traditional thermal power plants

4) Designing the power supply of a small township using greener alternatives (wind and solar power)

5) Designing the mobile telecommunication network (starting from days of 1G in the 1970s to today's 5G network)

6) Understanding the entire Information technology (IT) infrastructure of the 21st century (will include: cloud computing, Internet of Things, Artificial intelligence and Machine learning principles)

7) Understanding the 3 main part of any machine (structural components, movement components and control components)

8) Designing a modern day 4 wheeler from scratch that runs on fossil fuel using the principles in the above project

9) Changes in electrical vehicles and consideration of various sources for the electricity (key idea: the electric vehicle cannot be cleaner/greener than the source of electricity).

10) General assessment of all structures (buildings, bridges and towers) and identifying the 6 structural elements from which all structures are built

11) Technical assessment of the 'Golden-gate' bridge by building it from scratch using concepts learned in project 10

12) Designing a load bearing structure (building) and making it stronger by mere change in design.

13) Technical and economic considerations of drilling an oil-well (for crude-oil extraction)

14) Building an Eco-friendly home using the principles learned in 'Thermodynamics' section

15) Entrepreneurship Project: Setting up of an induction motor manufacturing unit

16) Enterpreunership Project: Setting up a chemcial manufacturing unit