The World's Fastest Electric Motorcycle!

In the July 2017 issue of ASME's Mechanical Engineering magazine is a very interesting article about Eva Hakansson, who designed, built and rides the fastest electric powered motorcycle with a top speed of 270 mph. The photo of her beside her motorcycle on the Bonneville Salt Flats is reminiscent of the days of Craig Breedlove who broke the 600 mph mark in the mid 1960's in
his Spirit of America. Eva calls her championship vehicle "Killajoule." She has a PhD in mechanical engineering and comes from a family of mechanical engineers, father and mother, so she knows what she is doing. What I really liked was her advice to young people who want to be an engineer, "Math is the language of science. You don't have to like math, you just have to do math." She is definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

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Testimonial of the Week! - Structure and Support

"The structure and support that I received from Dr. Tom's Classroom was paramount to my success during the exam. The exam strategies provided by Dr. Tom coupled with the Exam Day Companion kept me focused during the exam, allowing me to scoop up as much "low hanging fruit" as I could on my way to passing. I initially was more comfortable with the prospect of taking the Mechanical Systems portion of the exam, however after hearing Dr. Tom's pitch for the Thermal Fluids portion of the exam, I switched gears, and I could not have been more pleased with the results.

The instruction provided by Dr. Tom helped to calm my nerves about the exam as well as build confidence in my ability to pass. He told us that the purpose of the PE exam wasn't to measure your value as an engineer, but rather just your ability to pass this specific test.

I truly appreciate the efforts put forth by Dr. Tom and all others that make this review possible. I was happy to find people who cared about me and my success on the exam. I have had several colleagues ask me how I prepared for the exam, and I tell them about Dr. Tom's Classroom, the structure and support it provided, and without hesitation, I  tell them to start with Dr. Tom's Classroom."

- Chris, PE, Toms River, New Jersey

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

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Testimonial of the Week! - Targeted Review

"I passed on my first try - 51 years old, military veteran, and 29 years since I passed the EIT exam.  I was getting nowhere trying to prepare on my own.  I bought some references and materials and attempted to work through them, but my confidence suffered.  I felt like I forgot what I learned as soon as I moved on to another topic.  Dr. Tom helped me focus my efforts, cutting out things not likely to impact the test.  I truly enjoyed Dr. Tom's online presence and encouragement.  His approach built my confidence steadily from beginning to end.  He is a gifted and enthusiastic teacher who comes alongside you with empathy and humor.  I started a few weeks late in the 20-week thermal/fluids review course, but caught up without too much difficulty.  Even if I hadn't passed, I was sure that my chances would be good with more effort using Dr. Tom's approach."

- Andrew Miller, PE

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

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Testimonial of the Week! - Excellent Teaching

"I PASSED!!!! Your step by step course really did make all the difference! This was my third attempt at taking this thing. The first time I took an in-person study course, a lot of theory, not great with the problem practice. The second time I tried to study on my own...not good. And my third time I found you and your course! Thank you so much for everything! I took the April 2017 HVAC & Refrigeration exam. I used the EDC & PRN binders created through the course for almost every problem. I didn't even crack open the MERM accept for a couple random off the wall problems. The ASHRAE books also came in useful for a couple problems. But honestly your course and teaching method really made the difference for me! I knew I had to get all the "Low Hanging Fruit" and especially any problems that were "On the Ground, Rotting!”

I followed your advice and made sure not to get stuck and did a first time through just scanning and picking up the problems I felt most comfortable answering first. Your class was really great because I felt like in every video, you genuinely and sincerely wanted to help us pass this test. Like all great teachers and mentors you made me not want to disappoint you, even though I’d never really talked with you directly. You are an excellent teacher and the course is one of the most reasonably priced course I could find and discovering that it was also so amazing was really a pleasant surprise.    

I think the new test format definitely helped me as well. There were no problems on the topics I new least about (dynamics, statics, machines) being an HVAC mechanical designer by trade. I think it reduced the breadth of knowledge that I needed to know to pass.

Thanks Again!!! I will definitely recommend your course to others I know who are considering taking the test!" 

Erica Kerr, PE
North Las Vegas, NV

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

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Soar to New Heights as a PE!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom Civil and Mechanical PE Exam Review Courses prepare you for success on the PE Exam and new opportunities in your career.

Use coupon code soar25B at drtomsclassroom.com for $25 off in June!

“Dr. Tom's course had a solid plan and he was there with us every step of the way. By the time exam day came around, I was very prepared and I passed. The pressure has been lifted and I'm excited to move on with my career. I would recommend this course to any mechanical engineer who is serious about giving themselves the best chance possible to pass the P.E. exam.”
     - Brian, PE, Taylor Machine Works, Starkville, Mississippi

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

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Triumph over the PE Exam!

 

Dr. Tom's Classroom - the heroic way to prepare for the PE Exam.  And now is the perfect time to start your PE Exam review. For a limited time you can save $25 off when you sign up! Use coupon code hero25b to redeem this offer for either Civil or Mechanical.

This Changes Everything! - New Specifications for ME PE Exam

Well, maybe not everything, but it does change a lot. On October 31, 2016, NCEES released new specifications for all three Mechanical PE Exams. These new specs will result in major changes to the format of and topics covered on each exam in April 2017 and beyond. 
 
The new specifications indicate that the ME PE Exams for April 2017 will be follow a very different format from past exams. There is no longer an AM Breadth Exam and a PM Depth Exam. When you register with NCEES, you will choose one of three separate exams that cover the old PM Exam areas:

• Machine Design and Materials
• Thermal and Fluids Systems
• HVAC and Refrigeration

The new specifications for each exam are divided into “Principles” and “Applications” for each area, basically 50/50 of a total of 80 questions. However, it does appear, after reviewing at the new NCEES Practice Exams, that the nature of the problems on the exam will not be changing, just which problems will appear on which exams.

As a result, there are no longer any Statics, Dynamics, or Solids on the new Thermal/Fluids or HVAC/Refrigeration Exams, and there are no Hydraulics, Thermodynamics, Refrigeration, or HVAC on the new Machine Design and Materials Exam.  

I have posted a new video on YouTube explaining the changes that will result from the new specifications and giving my recommendations about which exam to choose. 

The DTC team and I are in the process of making the adjustments to our reviews that are needed to meet these new specifications. Much of the current material in the reviews will still be relevant, and the new materials will be added to the course as soon as they are ready. So you can still sign up and begin your review now, and you will have all the materials you need for the new exam format on the April 2017 Exam. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact us at info@drtomsclassroom.com.

Disappointment in Texas for the Ford GTs

The trip to the Circuit of the Americas for the Lone Star Grand Prix started with great promise with a pole position for the No. 67 Ford GT, but ended in disappointment when both cars suffered from contact on the track, the No. 66 in the first lap and the No. 67 halfway through the race. As a result, the No. 67 team goes into the last race of the season at Road Atlanta 11 points behind the leaders. It's going to be tough to beat those Corvettes, but this is the 10-hour Petit Le Mans and anything can happen.

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

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Ford GTs in Championship Chase!

The Ford GTs raced at nearby Virginia International Raceway on Sunday, and the No. 66 car finished second, closing the gap with the Corvettes in the championship. The No. 67 had to start at the back because they switched tires, and still managed to finish fourth. A great showing with only two races to go. Next race - the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. One of the DTC staff attended the race and got this up close video of the Ford GTs' garage. An impressive engineering operation.

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

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Ride a Bus and a Bike - At the Same Time!

More and more people are trying to eat better and get more exercise.  The problem with exercising is finding the time.  Those who live in cities with public transportation, particularly buses, find themselves asking, "should I ride the bus today or take my bike?"  Well, according to an article in the Huffington Post, you can now do both in Boston.  A husband and wife, both attorneys, have equipped a bus with stationary bikes like you would find in a health club.  The ride is typically 45 minutes, picking you up at home and taking you to your office.  Cost is $30.  So when your co-workers ask, "Did you take the bus or ride your bike?" your answer will be a startling "both."

Introducing DTC's NEW Civil PE Exam Review!

I am delighted to be introducing the brand new Dr. Tom's Classroom Civil Engineering PE Exam Review. With the success of my Mechanical Engineering PE Exam Review, I have received numerous requests to provide an exam review for Civil Engineers as well. It's something I have always hoped to do, and from my experience providing PE exam prep instruction on mechanical topics to civil engineers, I knew that the methods I developed for my online mechanical review could be applied to civil engineering as well. There was only one catch; there are five civil engineering areas covered in the Civil exam, and not only am I not a civil engineer, I'm not an expert in any of the civil areas.

Fortunately, I have been able partner with a group of amazing young engineers who are passionate about teaching in addition to being very skilled their fields of expertise. I am absolutely thrilled with the team of five instructors we were able to assemble to undertake this monumental task, one for each area covered on the Civil PE Exam. I hope you will read more about them. I have been so impressed with how they have embraced the Dr. Tom Method and have worked so diligently to create excellent lessons, problems and study plans. And they are all in it for the long haul. They will each be available to answer participant questions about the course content they have created.

The 20-Week Civil PE Exam Review follows the tried and true structure and method that I developed for my Mechanical Engineering PE Exam Review, and it provides a step by step path to being successful on the exam. The DTC Civil Engineering PE Exam Review for the April 2017 Exam is now available for registration. I hope that you will share this news with your Civil Engineering colleagues. We would love to help them be as successful as our Mechanical participants.

-Thanks, Dr. Tom

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

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Welcome to Our New Blog!

I’m Dr. Tom, and I have enjoyed blogging on my Mechanical Engineering website for a couple years. Now, with the addition of Civil Engineering to the offerings available from Dr. Tom's Classrooms, I wanted to expand my reach. So I'm starting a new blog in Blogger. I want to make this page a place where I can share not only the news about Dr. Tom’s Classroom, but also to share insights on the Mechanical and Civil PE Exams, the world of mechanical and civil engineering, innovations in education and science, and, occasionally, wine-making. I'll also be inviting the DTC instructors to contribute to the blog as well. They are pretty smart and interesting bunch, stay tuned!

- Dr. Tom

P.S. If you'd like to check out any of our older blog posts, you can go to our old blog.

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

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