A virtual
French term abroad doesn't mean that Scott Kriz '98 and Kristen Saunders '98 eat virtual croissants and sip virtual
cafe au lait at virtual Parisian cafes while
virtually discussing the wonders of
existentialism.
Rather, the two seniors are
assisting two French students in the creation of
an electromechanical robot — virtually — via
the Internet.
Kriz and Sanders are mechanical
engineering majors interested in travel and
exposure to foreign cultures. Kriz recently
returned from the Czech Republic, his second term
abroad, and Saunders (who is minoring in French)
did a term abroad in Rennes. The virtual term
abroad in France offered them the perfect senior
project.
The idea began to take shape
last fall. A French professor who was visiting
Union helped Saunders find two French electrical
engineering students in Normandy who needed help
designing a robot for their engineering project.
When Kriz returned from the Czech Republic last
winter, he joined Saunders, and the two now act
as mechanical engineering “consultants”
to their French partners.
The French students, Herve
Coulpier and Jeremie Maricourt, are working on
the robot's body while Kriz and Saunders are
redesigning the leg of the robot (their original
design didn't work). Coulpier and Maricourt will
use the model designed by their American
colleagues to build a life-size robot.
Kriz and Saunders, as well as
virtual-term abroad travelers to Turkey, work in
the virtual design studio in the Science and
Engineering building. “Net meetings”
use cameras and microphones so that the partners
can see and talk to each other. Two clocks, one
with U.S. time and one set six hours ahead for
French time, complete the design studio.
Kriz and Saunders converse and
e-mail with their partners in French. The
language has not proved to be a barrier thus far;
translating French engineering terms is a snap
thanks to several French dictionary web sites,
according to Saunders. The hardest part of
cooperating in a foreign language was getting
started, the students say; Saunders had to wade
through an enormous report of background
information in French. Coordinating schedules and
software was difficult at first, too.
The Union students praise Ron
Bucinell, assistant professor of mechanical
engineering, who organized the first virtual term
abroad to Turkey last year. “Basically, I
think it all comes down to Professor Bucinell
being so enthusiastic,” Kriz says. “He
knew all the stuff to buy, and if there's a
problem, he's on it instantly.”
“If it weren't for him, we
wouldn't be doing these projects,” Saunders
adds.
Saunders and Kriz have gained
exposure to a foreign culture (they note the
subtleties in French e-mails). More important is
the chance to work with other engineers, which is
“what it's all about in the real world of
engineering,” they say.
“It really does encourage
engineers to work together,” Kriz says.
“Even if the program were with, say,
engineers in California, it would be good
preparation.”