Targeted Infusion Project: Enhancement of Materials Science Education through Active Learning at FAMU

Faculty #93
Discipline: Technology & Engineering
Subcategory: STEM Research
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Co-Author(s): John Telotte and Lara-Perez Felkner

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The aim of the TIP proposal is to leverage the department of chemical and biomedical engineering strengths in material science to develop a sustained and coordinated effort in attracting, retaining, and mentoring underrepresented minority students. The specific goals of this proposal include 1) Increasing the number of pre-engineering students that pick an engineering major, specifically chemical engineering. 2) Increasing the number of students that pick the materials option. 3) Increasing the number of students participating in an undergraduate research project. 4) Motivating and encouraging students to pursue graduate studies.

The work proposed first utilizes active learning in demonstration laboratory experiments to increase the number of students that transition from a first year engineering course to engineering major with a focus on chemical engineering and materials. Once students have taken the chemical engineering track, course and laboratory exercises are used right through the curriculum (consistent sustained effort) to direct students to the study of Materials Science. We will report on the three different experiments that we have developed: Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Brookfield Rheometer and the Corrosion Equipment. Videos have been created for equipment operation, sample preparation, data acquisition and subsequent processing and analysis. A website has been created for the NSF project which will house the information and aid in disseminating the information to other departments and universities.
To further increase the likelihood of successful completion of a degree a summer research experience will be offered to a select number of students. This will involve direct interaction with the faculty and mentoring by a graduate student. Finally, to expose the students to the professional world of Materials Science, an American Chemical Society (ACS) student chapter has been established for the first time at FAMU and students involved in research will be given an opportunity to present at the Florida ACS meeting and participate in the Polymers Division activities. For the first time we will be chairing a session at the May meeting during May 2018.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF HBCU-UP

Faculty Advisor: None Listed,