Materials Science: The Gateway to Science! : Materials Science: The Gateway to Science!
Tom Stoebe
Professor Emeritus
Materials Science and Engineering
University of Washington
Presented by John M. Rusin
Engineering Instructor, Retired
Edmonds Community College
Outline : Outline Current status: K-12 Science Education
Proven means for enhancing Science Education with examples
The Bigger Picture
What can WE do?
Contacts/References
Current status: K-12 Science Education : Current status: K-12 Science Education Time Magazine:
Are we flunking science?
The World is Flat
Science can be done any place where there are scientists
Rising above the Gathering Storm
National Academy report
WA League of Women Voters
Only 18% of WA HS freshman receive college degrees, few of these in science or engineering
Is this a crisis? : Is this a crisis? Probably NOT relative to the development of new ideas in science and engineering
Possibly in terms of personnel to carry out the development of new ideas
Probably YES in terms of basic science education and understanding
Why is there a problem? : Why is there a problem? Media focus has been away from science and engineering
Engineering achievements not well known/taken for granted
Computers
Cell phones
Flat panel TV sets
Even scientists don’t give credit to engineering and technology (Peters ref.)
American Education System : American Education System Student-oriented inquiry learning, especially in early grades
Focus on thinking and problem solving
Students can choose subjects of greatest interest to them
Science instruction mostly theory with some practical applications
Too much theory, not enough application
Other countries : Other countries More focus on national need for scientists and engineers
Direction to schools (national curriculum)
Direction to parents and students
BUT
More rote learning
Less innovation
Why is Science Education Important? : Why is Science Education Important? General public needs to understand more science
Environmental issues
Energy issues
Technological issues
Public needs to be able to make informed decisions!
Future scientists do great : Future scientists do great NSF enhanced K-12 science education programs
Advanced math and science courses in high school
But Not Many of them
2% of HS freshmen eventually get degrees in science or engineering
The average student does NOT like science! : The average student does NOT like science! Science is boring
Chemistry is too much memorization
Physics is too abstract
Science is too hard, too much math….
And students with scientific aptitude go into business, medicine, history, economics, etc !
How can we approach this problem? : How can we approach this problem? Focus on real science that students understand
Use examples that turn students on to science
Get teachers excited about the subject!
Proven programs to introduce students to materials science: : Proven programs to introduce students to materials science: Materials Science and Technology, Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs
Materials World Modules, Northwestern U.
Materials Teach, U of Florida
Materials Technology Institute, U of Washington
Enhanced Materials Technology Project, Edmonds Community College
ASM Teachers Camp program
Materials Science and Technology (MST) : Materials Science and Technology (MST)
The science of “stuff”
Hands-on activities, teams approach
(75% lab-oriented)
All classes of materials
Focus on metals, ceramics, polymers, composites
Prevailing Concepts : Prevailing Concepts
Build on student knowledge of everyday materials
Apply basic concepts throughout all units
Look at “stuff” from micro to macro
Learn why and how “stuff” does what it does…by understanding the properties of the “stuff”
How is it Offered? : How is it Offered? Dedicated “stand-alone” class
Incorporate into traditional science or technology class
Modules
MST Modules : MST Modules Introduction: general properties of materials
Metals
Ceramics and glass
Polymers
Composites
Solids : Solids Importance of materials science and technology.
Solids are typically separated into four categories.
Simple chemistry including chemical bonding, the periodic table, and oxidation-reduction.
Crystal structures, physical properties.
How metals are claimed from their ores.
Importance of maintaining a student journal and keeping good records is stressed.
Solids Activities : Solids Activities Material safety data sheets
Identification of materials
Formation of crystals
Destructive testing
Reactivity series of metals
Oxidation/reduction of copper
Metals : Metals Properties and historical developments of metals.
Mechanical properties of metals and heat-treating.
Alloys and phase diagrams.
Metals testing and manufacturing processes.
Major project: making of sterling silver jewelry using the process of lost wax casting.
Metals Activities : Metals Activities Rolling a coin
Drawing a wire
Alloying copper and zinc
Cost of a penny
Making a light bulb Making lead-tin solder
Annealing copper
Powder metallurgy
Lost wax casting
Sterling Silver Rings : Sterling Silver Rings
Ceramics & Glass Activities : Ceramics & Glass Activities Forming, firing, and glazing clay
Thermal shock
Glass bending and blowing
Glass batching and melting
Dragon dribble & dragon tears Coloring glass
Stained glass project
Making Raku
Ceramic slip casting
Colored Glass : Colored Glass
Fused Glass : Fused Glass
Polymer Activities : Polymer Activities Cross-linking a polymer (slime)
Polymer identification
Making nylon 6-10
Latex rubber ball
Memory in polymers
Epoxy resin cast
Polymer foam creations
Resin Cast Clothespin : Resin Cast Clothespin
Composite Activities : Composite Activities Stressed-skin composites
Plaster of Paris matrix composite
Compression and tension in a bending beam
Laminated wood beams
Using Portland cement to make & test concrete
Hand lay-up of a glass fiber reinforced polymer
Coremat® & Graphite Cloth Clipboard : Coremat® & Graphite Cloth Clipboard
MST is FUN!!! : MST is FUN!!!
MST Training Resources : MST Training Resources PNNL MST Teachers Handbook: paper copies and CD
45 MST labs installed by Energy Concepts Inc.
Over 1000 teachers trained in MST
500 schools are using Materials World Modules
ASM Materials Camp : ASM Materials Camp Teachers camp program
Trains teachers in MST
18 camps in 2006
Sponsored by ASM Materials Education Foundation
States that have MST Classes : States that have MST Classes California
Colorado
Florida
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Impact on Teachers : Impact on Teachers Concepts and labs apply to many science courses
Raises interest and excitement among teachers
Raises interest in science among their students to enhance learning
“I think I learned more in a week of camp than I have in all of my science experience at school….I know that this is the most educating and fun experience I have ever had.”
Jessica Gladysz, Albuquerque ASM Teachers Camp
Student Comments : Student Comments "I love working with materials. I learn so much easier by working with my hands."
"It was a non stop action class. Almost everyday we are doing something new. I got to make a lot of cool stuff that I can keep forever."
"My friends used this class as a stepping stone to get into the Manufacturing Boeing Internship in Auburn."
Student Survey (250 Students) : Student Survey (250 Students) When asked if they would recommend this class to other students:
76% said yes
19% said probably
5% said no
“Materials Technology Education Program Impact on Secondary Teachers and Students,” T. Stoebe, G. Whittaker and K. Hinkley, Journal of Materials Education 24, 23-30 (2002).
Slide37 : HS Class Evaluation
When asked to complete the following sentence, " I like materials science because,” students finished the sentence with three general themes:
We learned about different materials and then were able to use them to make a project
It involves hands-on work
Lab activities were fun!
Slide38 : “Materials Technology Education Program Impact on Secondary Teachers and Students “ Thomas Stoebe, Guy Whittaker, Karen Hinkley, Journal of Materials Education, 24, 23-30 (2002)
Other Findings : Other Findings Students become more interested in further science study after taking this course
Chemistry and physics courses became more popular as a result of the MST course.
Significant enhancement in the understanding of science and in career opportunities in science and technology
Provides a means for motivating teachers to engage students more in real science and to motivate students toward more understanding of science and engineering.
Other approaches : Other approaches
Materials camp for high school students
ASM Materials Education Foundation
25 camps in 2006
Focus on exciting kids in science
Evaluation shows kids refocus on science, engineering, technology
The Bigger Picture : The Bigger Picture Middle school (ages 11 - 14) is where kids loose focus on science
Courses not interesting
Kids turned off to math
Science teachers have only general science training (if any)
SO---Why not a curriculum that uses MATERIALS as the base for ALL
of K-12 science?
What would be needed for a materials-based school curriculum? : What would be needed for a materials-based school curriculum? Educators
Curriculum designers
Materials experts
FUNDING
Most important: A change in philosophy in science teaching!
What is currently available? : What is currently available? High school level curricula
MST, MAST, MWM, etc
Albuquerque materials chemistry example
Innovative college-level curricula
MRSEC programs
MatEd : MatEd National Resource Center for Materials Education
Edmonds Community College
Modules, demos, labs, etc
Will be web-based at www.materialseducation.org
Core Competencies in Materials : Core Competencies in Materials National study using industry participants
Focus on technicians (but applicable to engineering as well)
Full study to be available by June 15 at www.materialseducation.org
Employability skills needed by all technicians : Employability skills needed by all technicians Communication skills
Workplace performance
Basic mathematics
Technical drawing
Testing
Data analysis Units and conversions
Computer skills
Working in teams
Personal professionalism
Quality management
Important Materials-related skills : Important Materials-related skills Effects of defects on performance
Effects of mfg variations on properties
Laboratory skills
General nature of metals, plastics, polymers, and composites
Materials processing
Materials testing
Fabrication processes and tooling
What can we do? : What can we do? Develop materials camp programs
Students
Teachers
Use local materials professional society chapter as host
University or community college venue
Result: Enhanced interest in science!
What can we do? : What can we do? Enhance introductory college-level courses with hands-on materials activities
Enhance courses with new materials concepts, i.e. composites, nanomaterials, biomaterials
Contacts/references : Contacts/references MatEd, National Resource Center for Materials Education
www.materialseducation.org
Materials Camp/ASM Foundation
www.asm-intl.org/foundation
Tom Stoebe stoebe@u.washington.edu
John Rusin ceramist@nwlink.com
References : References “Materials Technology Education Program Impact on Secondary Teachers and Students “ Thomas Stoebe, Guy Whittaker, Karen Hinkley, Journal of Materials Education, 24, 23-30 (2002)
Materials Science and Technology Teachers Handbook, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA. Development and teacher training supported by U.S. Dept. of Energy, 1985-96 (contact Karen Wieda, Box 999, Richland, WA 99352) http://science-ed.pnl.gov/mstcourse.stm.
Materials Science Technology Curriculum Modules, Energy Concepts Inc. - Energy Concepts, Inc., 404 Washington Blvd., Mundelein, IL 60060, Phone 847-837-8191, Fax 847-837-8171, ecisales@ecimail.com, http://www.eci-info.com
Materials World Modules, (1998). Northwestern University, 2115 North Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208-2610. www.materialsworldmodules.org/
References (cont.) : References (cont.) Experiments in Materials Science, Engineering and Technology, CD-ROM, J. Jacobs and A.E. McKenney, Prentice Hall, 2001
MAST- Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop, prepared by the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, Judy Brewer c/o MAST Modules, 1304 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 333-1441, http://matse1.mse.uiuc.edu/~tw
Institute for Chemical Education (ICE), Kathleen M. Shanks, Outreach Program Manager, Department of Chemistry, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706-1396, 608-262-2940, 800-991-5534 FAX: 608-265-8094, shanks@chem.wisc.edu , http://ice.chem.wisc.edu
University of Wisconsin Materials Research Science and Engineering Center on Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces, http://mrsec.wisc.edu/edetc/
References (cont.) : References (cont.) Materials Science and Technology at Hampton Roads High Schools, James A. Jacobs, Advanced Materials & Processes, December 2002, pp. 58-59
Educational Innovations, Inc., 362 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851, 1-888-912-7474, http://www.teachersource.com/, info@teachersource.com
Polymer Ambassadors, http://www.polymerambassadors.org/, mharris@jburroughs.org