KSP At The University Of Adelaide

[EtriusSierra]

Filmed during Semester 2 of 2015 at the University of Adelaide, Dr Joel Younger decided one day to give a more visual look into the world of orbital mechanics, with the use of Kerbal Space Program. Yes, 2nd year physics, taught with Kerbal Space Program (at least for that one lecture)!

 

 

Enjoy!

 

[RainDreamer]

One day we will see a generation of astrophysicists and rocket engineers that recognize the word "Kerbal space program" when it is mentioned.

[Gaarst]

Yep, we had that one too, for a Newtonian Dynamics course. Say what you want about realism in KSP, it is an excellent tool for teaching basics of orbital mechanics and other rockety subjects.

A surprising number of students seemed to recognise the game also.

[Dman979]

Well, considering that it was one PC Gamer's favorite games this year, I'm not surprised that a lot of students knew it.

One of the schools that I'm applying to (Embry-Riddle) has a contest where you have a set amount of time to land and return as many moon rockets as you can.

[K^2]

Even in graduate mechanics, we've barely scratched the surface of the sort of dynamics that KSP does not describe. You have to take a senior/graduate level course dedicated to orbital mechanics before KSP stops being useful as a learning tool. If I was to teach an undergraduate intro course on orbital mechanics, you can bet I'd include KSP in necessary materials^*, and there would be homework.

 

^* Required textbooks often cost in excess of $100, and requiring students to purchase software is nothing new in academia. At least, in the States. This seems like it'd actually be worth their money.

[RainDreamer]

2 hours ago, K^2 said:

^* Required textbooks often cost in excess of $100, and requiring students to purchase software is nothing new in academia. At least, in the States. This seems like it'd actually be worth their money.

On an unrelated note: I find it really funny how a new book worth $100, but I can buy a used book an edition before with minimally changed content for $2 on ebay.

[Spaceception]

Best. Teacher. Ever.

[EtriusSierra]

This (from XKCD).

Hehe, my first time on these forums by the by. Hello folks!