Mechatronics Meets Education: From Classroom Practice to Automated Sound Velocity Experiments

The transition from manual to automated experimentation offers exciting opportunities to inspire young minds and enhance the educational experience in physics. This paper presents an innovative mechatronic demonstrator for measuring the speed of sound, designed not only to bridge theoretical concepts with hands-on practice, but also to motivate prospective students to pursue a career in engineering. Originally developed by Systems Engineering students as part of their bachelor's thesis, the system exemplifies the practical and interdisciplinary skills acquired during the programme. Using a combination of loudspeaker, microphone and oscilloscope, the students first study the propagation of sound waves through manual measurements. Building on this foundation, the automated setup integrates mechatronic components and software for accurate, realtime visualisation and calculation of sound velocity. This approach promotes active learning, illustrates the real-world applications of mechatronics, and serves as an engaging tool to attract young talent to the field. Feedback from participants, including visitors to our campus days, highlights increased enthusiasm for technology and a deeper understanding of wave phenomena, demonstrating the potential of this method to enhance classroom experimentation and student engagement.