Exploring student representational approaches in solving rechargable battery design problems

The focus of this study is to characterize the representational practices of engineering graduate students who were involved in using computational and analytical mathematical models to solve a complex battery system design problem. The research question of this study is: How do students develop and use representational artifacts, while using mathematical or computer simulation models, for articulating their solutions to a complex battery system design problem? Results of this study provide descriptions of students representational artifacts produced in each of the stages of the problem solving process. The outcome of the study provides a framework for future studies using a larger sample size for investigating the role of mathematical and computational models in supporting students´ problem solving processes in engineering education.