(118i) Chemical Engineering High School Student Recruitment Program

Tenth grade students are recruited for a five Saturday program to encourage them to enroll in chemical engineering. The Saturday program begins at 9am and ends at 3:30 pm with an initial snack and time for lunch.

The model for this program has the following format:

1. PowerPoint presentation about chemical engineering 2. Mini lecture related to the days activities 3. Hands-on Laboratory experience including taking data 4. Data analysis in the computer laboratory 5. Other related activity

Chemical engineering presentations include a general presentation and presentations on energy, the environment, bio-engineering, and materials.

Laboratory projects include Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions Electrochemical Reactions and Power Polymers and slime balls pH Acids and Bases Water quality Surface Tension

We used Calcium Chloride at different concentration to demonstrate an exothermic reaction and Ammonium Nitrate at different concentrations to demonstrate an endothermic reaction. Quantities were carefully measure using an accurate laboratory scale. Deionized water was used for the mixtures and the temperature of the mixture was measured. Graphs of temperature versus concentration were made in the computer laboratory using EXCEL as part of the data analysis. Appropriate safety procedures are discussed before each experiment. For the electrochemical experiment we use aluminum at the anode and a semi-permeable membrane at the cathode to allow air to interact with a catalyst. The electrolyte we used was NaOH at different aqueous concentrations. Multimeters were used to measure the voltage and the current. The data analysis included graphing a performance curve of voltage versus current.

For the polymers and slime ball experiments we used Elmers glue, water and Borax. The students had to carefully follow a procedure of measuring out the ingredients and carefully mixing them. Drying was accomplished with a paper towel. Measurements include indentation from drops of varying heights. Graphs of this data were generated for the analysis. A series of pH measurements of common household chemicals were determined using pH paper. Concentrations effects were determined by dilution with deionized water. Ammonia was used as a base and diluted to get a range of pH's and tonic water, carbonic acid, was used as a base and diluted to get a range of pH's. The data was also graphed in the computer laboratory. For the water quality laboratory, students went to different buildings on the campus and took immediate grab sample from bathroom faucets and then let the water run for five minutes and obtained additional water samples. They returned to the laboratory and measured pH, total chlorine, iron, copper, hardness and total alkalinity. They also observed color and odor and turbidity or appearance of the samples. Two tests were run for each sample to show repeatability of the experimental measurements. Dissolved oxygen measurements were made for three different temperatures. The dissolved oxygen measurements were graphed as a function of temperature. A lively discussion occurred after looking at the results of different sample locations and comparing the initial grab sample to the five-minute sample.

One part of the surface tension experiments had pepper carefully placed on the surface of water in a small plastic glass. By adding dishwashing soap to the water the pepper sank. A second experiment involved making a small aluminum boat is driven across a surface of water by an expanding front of soap molecules. The speed of the boat was an open ended challenge for the students. The final experiment involved putting drops of water on pennies. An eyed dropper was used and by carefully placing the drops on a penny more than 200 drops could be used. An attempt was made to determine the angles the water formed on the surface of the penny.

An afternoon visit was made to a local farm that produces maple syrup. A brief discussion of the process and the effect of temperature on evaporation and the final product was given immediately before the visit. At the farm the students had a chance to collect samples and follow the distribution system from the trees. They then observed the evaporator and the measurements that tell the quality of the syrup.

In the data analysis the students use EXCEL for calculations and graphing. An example of other related activities includes the disassembly of a Zinc Carbon battery and assembly of a solar power generation experiment and a water drop. These additional projects usually have a mini-lecture associated with them. For example the Zinc Carbon battery disassembly lecture includes a discussion of anodes and the zinc case of a D cell, the carbon rod as a cathode, and electrolyte paste in between the anode and cathode as well as electron and ion flows.

Undergraduate mentors help with the laboratory experiments and other activities. They are invaluable in the laboratory for supervision and for safety. Socialization takes place while the students work on their projects and at snack time in the morning and at lunch. The undergraduate students are included in this socialization experience and act as role models for the high school students. Working with the high school teachers is important for assistance in recruiting. We also let the teachers know what projects are involved and encourage the students to show the teachers the results of their experiments.

This is a new program and has only been given once. While most of the experiments are related to chemistry, the lectures tie these to chemical engineering. Students are intensely active in the laboratory activities and the days are very busy and need to be well planned. The effectiveness of the program will be measured by enrollment in our department in two years. A student survey indicates a high interest in the program and students interest in majoring in engineering and the sciences. A general engineering recruitment program following a similar model has been run for the last three years and out of about 14 students in the first group three have enrolled in engineering and most of the others have enrolled in science programs. One is majoring in our pre med. program and one enrolled in pharmacy.