Development of Online Assessments for the PSE

The NAFEMS Education and Training Working Group wishes to commission an online self assessments covering the PSE competencies in the PSE Tracker Computational Structural Mechanics Technical area.

The on-line assessments will in the first instance be aimed at self-assessment by FEA users engaged in self-learning and possibly considering applying for the PSE Qualification. The self-test assessment is expected to be in the form of multiple choice questions and answers. Graphics, where appropriate, should be included in the questions and/or the answers.

The deliverable assessments should address most of the competencies inherent in the PSE Core Technical area “Computational Structural Mechanics”

It is suggested that the questions are presented in categories such as:

• Introduction to FEA
• Basic Modelling
• Element selection
• Model extents and boundary conditions
• Approximations and sources of error
• Modelling techniques
• Theoretical Background
• Practical Guidelines

In the Core Computational Structural Mechanics Technical Area there are currently around 90 competency statements and it is proposed that a target of a minimum of 160 questions be used for the purpose of tendering. While it is not felt necessary that each tracker competency statement should have an assessment question, it is requested that the proposal should make clear which tracker competency statements will be addressed.

Format

The questions, answers and supporting media (images, videos) should be provided in microsoft word format. All equations should be created using the microsoft equation editor.

Cost

The total cost will be dependent on the format of the questions the author intends to produce but it is not expected to exceed £6000 (GBP).

Guidance for Proposals

Each proposal should consist of:

• A brief description of the assessments (presentation structure, approximate number of questions, type of user interactivity, an indication of extent of intended use of photographs and graphics, innovations in approach).
• Work plan including milestones, timescales and interim deliveries for early review
• Cost
• The authors' credentials, curriculum vitae, etc. (Proposals from single authors and consortia will be considered.)
• The PSE competencies that the publication is anticipated to address. Review the list of PSE competencies for “Computational Structural Mechanics” technical area of the PSE tracker. Contact technical@nafems.org to obtain access.

Submissions

All proposals should be sent to NAFEMS at technical@nafems.org to arrive no later than 1st of July 2025.