A Differential Equations Project: Drone Heading Home

Abstract

Project-based learning supports unique and authentic problems in differential equations courses. An intuitive, interesting and deep differential equations project is described. The description illustrates a case study of guiding students through a complex project and the technical and personal rewards gained from it. Valuable advice is provided to instructors in the instructional process, and the rubric is also made available.

Keywords:

• Drone
• pursuit curves
• project
• system
• first-order homogeneous equations

Acknowledgements

I am very grateful for the helpful feedback on the draft manuscript given by the referees and the associate editor.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard Spindler

Richard Spindler studied electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan. He worked as an engineer and computer programmer before seeing the light and eventually received his Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Vermont. He is very interested in promoting active learning in the classroom and critical thinking in his students, which he ponders while hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing the high peaks of the Adirondacks.