In LAB 03 (Concept Screening and Scoring), the team created a table containing success criteria for the AEV to be evaluated on based on the design of the vehicle. One of these criteria was power efficiency. In order to learn how to account for this factor in the design of the AEV, this lab had students use a wind tunnel and propellers in order to determine the optimal level of power output (measured as the thrust created by the propeller) to power input (measured by the given voltage and current of the wind tunnel). This calculation provided the propulsion efficiency value, which was then utilized by the team in choosing the most efficient propeller geometry and orientation for the completion of the AEV’s mission. The motivation behind performing this lab was to give students experience in the “experimental research” phase of the design process. The procedure allowed the group to obtain concrete, quantitative data that could be used to alter the design of their AEV, an opportunity that was not afforded prior to this. In the engineering field, efficiency is of the utmost importance in regards to both cost and performance. As a result, practical testing is a critical step in the real world manufacturing process and this lab prepares students well. See full executive summary attached below for more information.