Conference Session

Materials Division (MATS) Technical Session 2

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lessa Kay Grunenfelder, University of Southern California

Tagged Divisions

Materials Division (MATS)

. Past studies havedemonstrated the benefits of junior-level project work in preparing engineering students forchallenging capstone design courses [13]. Using a materials course as a vehicle to teach theAshby method and EduPack software to students prior to senior design is particularly effective.Many students who took the MASC 310 course went on to use EduPack as a tool in their seniordesign work.ConclusionTwo years of successful implementation of the redesign project described here, for both onlineand in-person courses, showcases the feasibility of a project-based approach for introductorymaterials science. It is important to note, however, that while the project drove student learningto an extent, the core content presented in previous exam

Conference Session

Materials Division (MATS) Technical Session 2

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sofia Ahmed, University of Florida; Matthew J. Traum

Tagged Divisions

Materials Division (MATS)

) providing opportunities for leadership, mentorship,and networking.xxiiiThe Researcher Incubator technique developed originally by Traum & Karackattu was applied tosuccessfully engage URSP students in the research enterprise. xxiii The Researcher Incubator positsthat if students are 1) taught needed skills, 2) empowered by group work, and 3) vested withserious responsibility they will spontaneously find and/or develop whatever knowledge isrequired to succeed on the project.xxii This technique has proven effective to engage lowerdivision engineering students and even high school students in productive research.Two URSP freshmen were recruited into the project. These students enrolled in a research-for-credit course in parallel with a classroom

Conference Session

Materials Division (MATS) Technical Session 3

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

William D. Callister Jr., University of Utah; David G. Rethwisch, The University of Iowa

Tagged Divisions

Materials Division (MATS)

should develop mastery ofthe four higher levels (applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating) which, hopefully, will beachieved in more advanced courses (e.g, senior capstone project).one another. For example, what kinds of relationships exist among atomic bonding, crystalstructure, imperfections, diffusion, phase diagrams, phase transformations, and mechanicalproperties? How do they fit together? Why is it necessary to study and understand these topics?For most students (including materials majors) this disorganization of topics proves to be veryconfusing and mind boggling. Consequently, student interest and motivation begin to wane, andby the semester’s end many (most) students have developed a dislike for the course and havebecome