An Assessment of Educational Benefits from the OpenOrbiter Space Program

Abstract

This paper analyzes the educational impact of the OpenOrbiter Small Spacecraft Development Initiative, a CubeSat development program underway at the University of North Dakota. OpenOrbiter includes traditional STEM activities (e.g., spacecraft engineering, software development); it also incorporates students from non-STEM disciplines not generally involved in aerospace engineering projects such as management, entrepreneurship, education and fine arts. The value of the program to participants is analyzed quantitatively, in terms of improvement related to five key learning objectives.

Keywords

• problem-based learning
• experiential learning
• small spacecraft development
• interdisciplinary education