Making Mechanics Thinking Visible: AI-Supported Assessment, Physical Models, and Interactive Visualization
Danilo Kusanovic
Friday, September 11th, 2026
10-10:45 am
Description
Students in engineering mechanics can often perform calculations without fully connecting the mathematics to physical behavior, or the diagrams used to represent it. This presentation examines how assessment evidence can reveal where that reasoning breaks down and how those findings can guide the development of more effective learning experiences. Drawing on examples from Statics and Mechanics of Materials, I will discuss the use of AI-assisted assessment analysis, 3D-printed physical models, and interactive structural-analysis applications to help students predict behavior, test their ideas, and explain discrepancies. The goal is not to use AI to generate faster answers, but to accelerate the creation of learning environments that make student thinking visible and strengthen engineering judgment.
About the Presenter
Danilo S. Kusanovic is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Davis. He teaches Statics (ENG-35), Mechanics of Materials (ENG-104), and the Mechanics of Materials Laboratory (ENG-104L). His educational work focuses on helping students connect physical behavior, mathematical models, engineering representations, experimentation, and computation. He develops physical teaching demonstrations, interactive visualization and structural-analysis tools, and assessment methods designed to identify where students’ reasoning fails. His current work in education explores how artificial intelligence can support the design and evaluation of engineering learning experiences while keeping students responsible for prediction, interpretation, and engineering judgment.
