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Brian Frank

DuPont Canada Chair in Engineering Education

Brian Frank is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the DuPont Canada Chair in Engineering Education Research and Development in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. He works on engineering curriculum development, program assessment, and developing educational technology.

He is involved in several higher education research and development initiatives, including the Bay View Alliance, a consortium of research universities carrying out applied research on the leadership of cultural change for increasing the adoption of evidence-based teaching methods at universities. He is the co-primary investigator of the HEQCO-funded Learning Outcomes Assessment Consortium project at Queen's, primary investigator on the project Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in Large Classes using Model Eliciting Activities, and co-investigator on a project to pilot the Collegiate Learning Assessment at Queen's University. He was co-chair of the Physical Sciences panel of the HEQCO Sector-based Tuning project, developing proposals for learning outcomes in physical sciences, social sciences, and life and health sciences in Ontario.

He is a co-founder of the Canadian Engineering Education Association whose mission is to "enhance the competence and relevance of graduates from Canadian Engineering schools through continuous improvement in engineering education and design education." He is currently coordinating the Engineering Graduate Attribute Development Project, working with National Council of Deans of Engineering and Applied Science and the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, to develop national guidelines and resources for outcomes assessment in engineering education. He was co-chair of the Queen's University Student Learning Experience Task Force.

From 2004-2006 he was an Educational Development Faculty Associate in the Instructional Development Centre, now the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL). He has received the Queen's Engineering Society's Golden Pillar award, given "to faculty [or] staff members who have made an outstanding contribution to the quality of students' education." In 2011 he received the Chancellor A. Charles Baillie Teaching Award.

His teaching interest is project based courses, and he currently coordinates APSC-100, a 3-module core course for all undergraduate engineering students in engineering design and practice. This course includes a semester-long team client-based design project for all first year engineering students. Most of the projects are service learning projects developed in collaboration with local community groups used as the primary vehicle for problem-solving and professional skill development. He has also been working with the faculty-wide Curriculum Renewal Committee to develop a four-year Engineering Design and Practice Sequence.

Publications related to higher education/engineering education

Workshops

  • B. Frank, S. Dore, “Continuous Program Improvement”, invited workshop, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, December 2014
  • B. Frank, “The Big Picture: Continuous Program Improvement Processes”, invited plenary presentation, British Columbia Institute of Technology Graduate Attributes Symposium, Burnaby, BC, May 2014
  • B. Frank, “Assessment for course and program improvement”, invited workshop, British Columbia Institute of Technology Graduate Attributes Symposium, Burnaby, BC, May 2014
  • B. Frank, “Resources and Training for Continuous Program Improvement Processes in Canada”, MS&T Elizabeth Judson Memorial Symposium, invited presentation, Montreal, QC, Oct 2013
  • B. Frank, P. Ostafichuk, “Creating Useful Indicators”, invited workshop, Canadian Engineering Education Association Annual Conference 2013, Montreal, QC
  • B. Frank, “Engaging Learning outcomes across a discipline and in institutions”, invited panellist, Key Issues in Ontario Higher Education: A Policy Research Symposium, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, May 2013
  • B. Frank, S. McCahan, P. Wolf, “Using learning outcomes for collaborative program improvement”, Symposium on Learning Outcomes Assessment: Practically Speaking, Council of Ontario Universities, April 2013
  • B. Frank, S. McCahan, P. Wolf, “Leading a process to use learning outcomes for program improvement”, Symposium on Learning Outcomes Assessment: Practically Speaking, Council of Ontario Universities, April 2013
  • B. Frank, “Modeling, critical thinking, and problem solving in first year engineering: Why It’s Important, And How We Are Working To Improve It”, Queen’s University Physics Colloquium invited presentation, Feb 2013
  • B. Frank, S. McCahan, P. Wolf, “Graduate attribute processes for program improvement”, invited 1-day workshop for York University, Feb 2013
  • Continuous Program Improvement Processes, University of Ottawa, October 2012
  • Graduate Attribute Assessment as a Course Instructor, Canadian Engineering Education Association 2012, Winnipeg, MB
  • Creating Useful Indicators, Canadian Engineering Education Association 2012, Winnipeg, MB
  • Graduate Attribute Assessment Workshop, Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA)¬† Conference 2011 and 2010
  • Graduate Attribute Assessment Workshop, customized workshops run for University of Windsor (February 2012), Canadian Heads of Electrical and Computer Engineering (May 2011), Concordia University (February 2011), Royal Military College (November 2010), Dalhousie University and associated universities (May 2010), The Association of Canadian Chairs of Chemical Engineering at Queen's (May 2010), and National Council of Deans of Engineering and Applied Science (April 2010)

 

David S. Strong, P.Eng.
Professor

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In March of 2003, David Strong joined the faculty of Applied Science as the faculty-wide NSERC Chair in Design Engineering. His NSERC Chair was renewed for another 5 year term in June, 2008.

Biography

A Queen's graduate in mechanical engineering, prior to his appointment at Queen's, David spent over two decades in industry as a design engineer and engineering manager. His experience in design and development spans three different areas: the primary aluminum industry, biomedical and biotechnology instrumentation, and high volume consumer products. David holds patents in all three areas of practice, and has led award winning design teams, one of which received a Gold Medal in the Invention Category of the Canada Awards for Business Excellence. Throughout his career in industry, David played an active role in improving design instruction at Queen's through sponsorship and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate projects, and was a member of the Queen's University Engineering Industy Advisory Council prior to his appointment at Queen's.

Activities

As the NSERC Chair in Design Engineering, David works with all disciplines of engineering to promote and develop design and professional skills. Through the evolution of existing courses and projects, as well as the introduction of new activities, students are developing a broader understanding of design methodology and techniques, project management, business practices, and multidisciplinary team skills. The newly opened Integrated Learning Centre at Queen's facilitates many of these activities.

David is also developing strategic links with industry for interactive consultation and the expansion of multidisciplinary client-based projects.

Teaching

APSC 200, Engineering and Design Practice II

In this course, students participate constructively on teams to create solutions to open-ended complex problems, using standard design methods and tools. This project-based course provides instruction focusing on problem scoping, creativity and idea generation, decision making incorporating technical, economic, societal and environmental factors, safety, engineering codes and regulations, and engineering ethics

APSC 293, Engineering Communication

This course provides an introduction to effective engineering writing and speaking skills with the emphasis on professional correspondence, engineering reports, oral briefings, and formal oral presentations. These skills are developed in lectures and small tutorials.

APSC 381, Advanced Design and Skills for Innovation

Based on industry practice, the objective of this interactive multidisciplinary course is to provide students with a sound background in engineering design methodology and supporting design "tools". A broad range of topics spanning the problem definition through to design validation and implementation are covered. Students work in multidisciplinary teams, simulating the real-world design engineering environment.

APSC 480, Multi-disciplinary Industry Engineering Design Project

APSC 480 is a two term, multidisciplinary design project course intended for students who have previously studied APSC 381. Together, these courses form the "Multidisciplinary Design Stream", which will provide students with a solid foundation in engineering design and project management based on industry practice. The projects, drawn from industry, require the student teams to tackle real engineering problems that require effective design, project management, economic, safety, and other considerations. Projects are mentored by industry representatives and faculty supervisors with industrial experience.

Other Teaching and Student Supervision

David also participates in many other engineering courses providing instruction modules or guest lectures. He also runs design workshops for both university and high school students, and supervises a wide variety of design projects and theses across the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.

Recent Awards

Queen's Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2010
Golden Pillar Award for Extra-curricular student support, 2007
Golden Apple Teaching Award, 2006

Research Interests

With a number of graduate students and collaborative partnerships, David conducts engineering education research and development in a number of areas including creativity, innovation and design, engineering assessment, K-12 engineering outreach, and teaching and learning in multi-disciplinary settings.

Students interested in pursuing research opportunities in engineering education are encouraged to contact David at david.strong@queensu.ca. 

David also carries out research in:

  • Design and Innovation Methodologies
  • Applied Product & Process Development
  • Hybrid Vehicle Battery Optimization

External Funding

NSERC
Ontario Centres of Excellence - Centre for Materials and Manufacturing
Auto21
Hatch
Greenfield Ethanol
PowerStream
Molson Coors
Ontario Hospital Association

and many other corporate clients

Publications

Refereed Journals

(Order in which information appears: name of author(s), title, journal, date)

  1. D.S. Strong, "An Approach for Improving Design and Innovation Skills in Engineering Education: The Multidisciplinary Design Stream", International Journal of Engineering Education, Volume 28, Number 2, 2012.
  2. U.P. Wyss, J.T.B. Bryant, N. Kubrick, C. Mechefske, P.H. Oosthuizen, D.S. Strong, B.W. Surgenor; "The CDIO Based Survey as a Useful Tool in the Monitoring and Evolution of the Curriculum in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Queen's University, Canada"; World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, Volume 5 Number 2, 2006.
  3. D.S. Strong, J.D. McCowan; "The Integrated Learning Centre at Queen's University in Kingston: a new facility for engineering education"; World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, Volume 5 Number 2, 2006.
  4. S. Andrews, P. Wild, D.S. Strong; "An Experimental Assessment of Lawn Mower Blade Loading"; Journal of Strain Analysis for Engineering Design (Accepted December 2005).

Conference Proceedings

(Order in which information appears: name of author(s) and their institutions, title, editor(s), conference, country, date)

  1. R. Aleong and D. S. Strong, "Student Perspectives of Engineering Design Education", ASEE, San Antonio Texas, June 2012.
  2. D. Strong and B. Frank, "A Novel Faculty-wide Approach to Teaching Second Year Engineering Design and Professional Practice", CEEA, Winnipeg Manitoba, June 2012
  3. B. Frank, D.S. Strong, R. Sellens and L. Clapham, "Progress With the Professional Spine: A Four-year Engineering Design and Practice Sequence", CDIO Conference, Brisbane Australia, April 2012(nominated for Best Paper)
  4. A.J. Wodehouse, R. Maclachlan, H. Grierson, D.S. Strong, "Culture And Concept Design: A Study Of International Teams, 18th International Conference on Engineering Design", (ICED11) Copenhagen, Demark, August 2011.
  5. B. Frank, D.S. Strong, and R. Sellens, "The Professional Spine: Creation of a Four-year Engineering Design and Practice Sequence", ASEE 2011 Annual Exposition and Conference, Vancouver, Canada
  6. M. Spencer and D. S. Strong, "Engineering Perspectives of Grade 7 Students", ASEE 2011 Annual Exposition and Conference, Vancouver, Canada
  7. R. Aleong and D. S. Strong, "A Qualitative Study to Investigate Undergraduate Engineering Students' Understanding of Design 'Äì A Work in Progress", 2011 Canadian Engineering Education Association conference, St. John's, Nfld., Canada
  8. D.S. Strong, "An Approach for Improving Design and Innovation Skills in Engineering Education: The Multidisciplinary Design Stream", 2011 Mudd Design Workshop VIII,  Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA
  9. Saleh, N. and Strong, D.S.; "Students' Conceptions of Life-Long Learning:An exploratory study"; the inaugural Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) conference , Queen's, University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; June, 2010
  10. Frank, B. and Strong, D.S; "Development of a Design Skills Assessment Tool"; the inaugural CEEA Conference, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; June, 2010
  11. Strong, D.S. and Fostaty Young, S., (Queen's University); "Consideration of the Design Attribute in the 2008 CEAB Accreditation Procedures"; the inaugural CEEA Conference, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; June, 2010
  12. Spencer, M. and Strong, D.S., "Intermediate Students' Perspective on the Profession of Engineering",  the inaugural CEEA conference, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada:  June, 2010
  13. T.F.C. Woodhall, and D.S.Strong, (Queen's University); "Development of Rubric Based Assessment Methodology for Student Design Projects"; ICED Conference, Stanford, California, USA; 2009
  14. M.E. Spencer, and D.S.Strong (Queen's University); "Preliminary Investigation of the Integration of Engineering into K-12 Education"; Sixth CDEN Conference, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; 2009
  15. B.Frank, D.S.Strong, J.Bourdreau, A.M. Pap, (Queen's University); "Design Skill Assessment from Pre-University to Third Year"; Sixth CDEN Conference, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; 2009
  16. T.F.C. Woodhall and D.S. Strong (Queen's University); "Implementing a Rubric-based Assessment Scheme into the Multidisciplinary Design Stream at Queen's University"; the Fifth CDEN Conference; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; 2008.
  17. B. Frank and D.S. Strong (Queen's University); "Survey Based Assessment of Design Skill Development in Engineering Project Courses"; the Fifth CDEN Conference; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; 2008.
  18. D. Fritz, D.S. Strong and J.T. Bryant (Queen's University); "Ancestral Engineering: Bringing an Engineering Perspective to Archaeological Investigation"; the Canadian Archaeological Association Conference; Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; 2008.
  19. J.T. Bryant, D. Fritz and D. Strong (Queen's University); "Ancestral Engineering: Towards the Integration of Archaeology and Engineering"; the Fourth CDEN Design Conference; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; 2007.
  20. E. May and D. Strong (Queen's University); "Preparing our Students for Success in Industry:  A Proposal for Change"; the Fourth CDEN Design Conference; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; 2007.
  21. D. Strong  and S. Fostaty Young (Queen's University); "Effectively Assessing Professional Engineering Skills"; the Fourth CDEN Design Conference; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; 2007.
  22. S. Murphy and D. Strong (Queen's University) and Cristina Sewerin (University of Toronto); "Teaching and Access to Industry Standards in Canada: Experience at Queen's University and the University of Toronto"; the Fourth CDEN Design Conference; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; 2007.
  23. D. Strong and T. Woodhall (Queen's University); "Designing a Rubric to Assess the Modelling Phase of Student Design Projects in Upper Year Engineering Courses"; the Fourth CDEN Design Conference; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; 2007.
  24. D. Mody and D.S. Strong (Queen's University); "An Overview of Chemical Process Design Engineering"; the Third CDEN Design Conference; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2006.
  25. E. May and D.S. Strong (Queen's University); "Is Engineering Education Delivery What Industry Requires?"; the Third CDEN Design Conference; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2006.
  26. D.S. Strong (Queen's University); "Towards Effective Multidisciplinary Engineering Education: The Multidisciplinary Design Stream at Queen's University - Part II"; the Third CDEN Design Conference; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2006.
  27. B. Atabeyli, D.S. Strong and P.W. Young; "Integration of CDIO Workspace Sustainability and Support"; the Second International CDIO Conference; Linkoping, Sweden; 2006.
  28. D.S. Strong and W. Stiver (University of Guelph); "Engineering Design Competency: Perceived Barriers to Effective Engineering Design Education"; Eds: R.W. Brennan and I. Yellowley; the Second CDEN Design Conference; Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada; 2005.
  29. D.S. Strong; "Towards Effective Multidisciplinary Engineering Education: The Multidisciplinary Design Stream at Queen's University"; Eds: R.W. Brennan and I. Yellowley; the Second CDEN Design Conference; Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada; 2005.
  30. D.S. Strong and J.D. McCowan (Queen's University); "Effective Workspace for Engineering Education: The Integrated Learning Centre at Queen's University in Kingston"; the 1st Annual CDIO Conference; Kingston, Ontario, Canada; 2005.
  31. U.P. Wyss, J.T.B. Bryant, N. Kubrick, C. Mechefske, P.H. Oosthuizen, D.S. Strong, B.W. Surgenor; "The CDIO Based Survey as a Useful Tool in the Monitoring and Evolution of the Curriculum in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at Queen's University, Canada"; the 1st Annual CDIO Conference; Kingston, Ontario, Canada; 2005.
  32. J. Angeles (McGill University), L. Chang (University of New Brunswick), R. Britton (University of Manitoba), F. Charron (Université of Sherbrooke), P. Gregson (Dalhousie University), P. Gu (University of Calgary), S. Lambert (University of Waterloo), P. Lawrence (University of British Columbia), H. Prion (University of British Columbia), W. Stiver (University of Guelph), D. S. Strong, P. Stuart (École Polytechnique), B. Thompson (formerly of the University of Western Ontario); "The Engineering Design Competency"; the Inaugural CDEN Design Conference; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 2004.
  33. N.P. Fitzpatrick and D.S. Strong; "Aluminum Air: a Battery/Battery Hybrid for an Off-Road Vehicle"; 9th International Electric Vehicle Symposium; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 1988.

Other Publications

(Order in which information appears: name of author(s), title, journal, date)

  • D.S. Strong; "Is Engineering Education Providing Sufficient Emphasis On Environmental Issues?", Environmental Progress Editorial, October 2006, Vol. 25, Issue 3, Pg 186.
  • 16 Patents in various fields

 

Other Activities

Director: Advanced Design and Manufacturing Institute (ADMI)
President of the Board of Directors: Queen's University Engineering Services Society Incorporated (QUESSI - Book Store)
Director: Engineering Society Board of Directors
Faculty Advisor: Engineering Student Competitive Teams (Design and Safety)
Chair: Mechanical and Materials Engineering Industry Advisory Council
Member: CDIO Mechanical and Materials Engineering Committee

Contact Info

David S. Strong, P.Eng.
Beamish-Munro Hall, Rm 301
Queen's University
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Phone: (613) 533-2606
Fax: (613) 533-2721
Email: strongd@queensu.ca