(19h) Using Lego Mindstorms for Introducing Freshmen to Chemical Engineering

Painting a vivid image of what chemical engineers do is often a daunting task for entering freshmen whose strongest link to the profession may be their high school chemistry course. Here we report on an initiative to strenthen students' understanding of chemical engineering processes and practice through the use of LEGO Mindstorms NXT robotics kits. Integrated with supporting accessories, we believe these kits can enliven chemical engineering introductory courses, illustrate numerous concepts and principles related to our field and do it all in a fun-filled, friendly competition atmosphere.