Summer SAVY Session 6, Day 1, Intro to Chemical Engineering (Rylander)
We are off to a great start in the Introduction to Chemical Engineering with Playdough class! We began this morning by getting to know each other and pondering what type of machine we would build to solve our biggest problem–homework machines and hot dog dispensers were popular responses! An initial pre-assessment measured our knowledge of technology and engineering and provided us a valuable data point toward measuring our growth this week. We explored the role of engineers in today’s society and compared and contrasted scientists and engineers. [Text Wrapping Break]
Our first SAVY lunch was great and our early afternoon was spent trying out our new engineer notebooks by participating in various design challenges using materials like Legos, play dough, toothpicks and magnet tiles. Students completed initial build challenges and then improved their design efficiency by making their structures sturdier, taller, or otherwise more effective.
After our outdoor activity this afternoon, we delved deeper into the role of chemical engineers and the types of problem they solve, and how they utilize the same engineering design process that we will use this week in our playdough design.
Some questions for dinner table discussion this evening:
- What is an engineer, and what types of problems do they solve?
- How are tools and technology related?
- What do chemical engineers do, and what are some solutions produced by chemical engineers?