Video: Interactive simulations help engineering students master fluid mechanics

Fluid mechanics is one of the most challenging subjects in undergraduate engineering, requiring students to grasp complex mathematical concepts and visualize how fluids behave in real-world systems. Supported by a CU Next Award from the CU system, a collaborative project at CU Boulder and CU Denver is helping make that learning process more engaging, accessible and intuitive.

Led by CU Boulder’s Ankur Gupta and CU Denver’s Kannan Premnath, the project developed free, web-based interactive simulations for undergraduate fluid mechanics courses. Unlike traditional engineering software, the browser-based tools require no downloads and allow students to conduct virtual digital experiments, helping them better understand complex concepts through visualization and hands-on exploration.

Initially implemented in courses at CU Boulder and CU Denver, the project demonstrates how innovative teaching approaches can improve student learning while removing barriers to access. By freeing instructors from lengthy mathematical demonstrations, the simulations create more opportunities to focus on critical thinking, engineering design and real-world problem solving.

Watch the video to learn how this CU Next-supported collaboration is preparing the next generation of engineers through innovative teaching and cross-campus partnership.