2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Introductory materials science: A project-based approach

Presented at Materials Division (MATS) Technical Session 2

There are several approaches to teaching introductory materials science, exemplified by the diversity of textbooks on the subject. Some favor a bottom-up approach, beginning with the fundamentals of atomic structure and bonding. Others opt for a top-down method, catching student interest by introducing impressive structures or dramatic material failures before diving deeper to interrogate the underlying science. Either instructional strategy, however, is enhanced when students can apply what they are learning and create meaningful real-world connections. One way to facilitate this is through project work. In this paper a semester long material and process selection project, consisting of multiple deliverables, is described. Detailed project assignments and grading rubrics, and student perceptions of the project are presented.

Authors

Dr. Lessa Kay Grunenfelder University of Southern California [biography]

Lessa Grunenfelder has a BS in astronautical engineering and a MS and PhD in materials science, all from the University of Southern California. In 2015 she joined the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at USC as teaching faculty. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses on material properties, processing, selection, and design. She is passionate about sharing her love of materials science with students through curriculum that combines fundamental science and engineering application. Her research interest is in efficient manufacturing of high performance composites. She is an active member of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineers (SAMPE), serving on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Chapter as Student Chapter Liaison. She is currently the Division Chair of the Materials Division of ASEE.

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