Work-in-Progress: Creating Recycled Products to Incorporate Sustainability Projects in the Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Laboratories
- Conference
- Location
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Portland, Oregon
- Publication Date
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June 23, 2024
- Start Date
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June 23, 2024
- End Date
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July 12, 2024
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Chemical Engineering Division (ChED)
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/48532
Paper Authors
Carlos Landaverde Alvarado University of Texas at Austin
Carlos Landaverde-Alvarado is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He holds a PhD and MEng degree in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech, an MBA from Boston University, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Centroamericana Jose Simeon Cañas (UCA) in El Salvador. His research focus is on understanding how students learn and develop the capabilities required in the professional practice of engineering.
Emily Mellen University of Texas at Austin
Emily Mellen joined the University of Texas at Austin McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering as an undergraduate student in 2021. Outside of engineering education, her research work investigates how plastic waste from on-campus laboratories can be broken down and repurposed into a product of substantial value, both environmentally and economically.
Amanda Nguyen University of Texas at Austin
Amanda Nguyen began her studies at the University of Texas at Austin in 2021 as an undergraduate Chemical Engineering student. In addition to researching and promoting plastic sustainability efforts within her campus, she is also actively involved in Outreach programs regarding service and mentorship in the community.
Abstract
Engineering practices that promote a sustainable development are gaining momentum and relevance amongst governments and corporations as they adapt their policies and business strategies to prepare for the environmental challenges of the future. Within this context, there will be a growing interest in the formation of engineers who understand the importance of sustainability and that are capable of driving engineering projects towards sustainable development. Multiple industries will require engineers who can effectively apply these concepts in the formulation of engineering solutions.
We propose that the practice of sustainability in the engineering classroom can be facilitated and enhanced by the creation of hands-on experimental experiences that allow students to propose efficient solutions to environmental problems.
In this work-in-progress, we detail our initial steps towards the utilization of a senior chemical engineering laboratory to incorporate hands-on sustainability experiences in the engineering curriculum. To develop this project, we are using an approach that blends undergraduate research, interdepartmental collaborations, and a focus on experiential learning. We are collaborating with the university Green Fund and the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) department to recycle materials, reach the campus community, and understand the environmental and economic impacts of the study. The overall purpose of the project is to serve as a catalyst to incorporate sustainability to the chemical engineering undergraduate laboratories, create campus awareness on the importance of a sustainable future, and, by these efforts, train the sustainability leaders of the future. The main educational benefits produced by this project will be the opportunities students will have to work on projects directly related to sustainability and the incorporation of sustainability practices in our undergraduate program.
This manuscript describes a summary of the project development, a detail of project goals and current advances, and an outline of our research objectives as we integrate the practice of sustainability into the chemical engineering program.
Landaverde Alvarado, C., & Mellen, E., & Nguyen, A. (2024, June), Work-in-Progress: Creating Recycled Products to Incorporate Sustainability Projects in the Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Laboratories Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/48532
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