Improved Materials Science Understanding With Blacksmithing

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract Improved Materials Science Understanding with Blacksmithing Abstract The methodologies used to teach engineering and science principles to students must adapt to effectively communicate these concepts based on the ethnicity, gender and previous educational experience. The current generation of students has matured in the modern computer world by learning and recreating with computer-based programs and games. The creativity abilities and learning methods associated with “hands-on” (kinesthesis) teaching methods have substantially decreased in recent years due to the availability and allure associated with computer based games and teaching programs. The Back in Black Blacksmithing project implemented at our campus is aimed at improving student understanding of the materials science concepts relating to composition, properties, processing and performance by applying kinesthetic learning techniques and the teaching some of the historic techniques of blacksmithing to engineering students in a materials engineering course. Gains in student conceptual understanding are measured through use of the Materials Concepts Inventory. Formative assessment of academic and cultural diversity include outreach demographics, focus groups, and learning styles of students involved in the program. Background The methodologies used to teach engineering and science principles to students must adapt to effectively communicate these concepts based on the ethnicity, gender and previous educational experience. The current generation of students has matured in the modern computer world by learning and recreating with computer-based programs and games. The creativity abilities and learning methods associated with “hands-on” (kinesthesis) teaching methods have substantially decreased in recent years due to the availability and allure associated with computer based games and teaching programs. The application of kinesthetic learning methods are not as utilized as they were in the past. Students no longer spend substantial amounts of time creating components with their hands, like previous generations, and this may be limiting their ability to comprehend many metallurgical engineering concepts such as the fundamental concept that relates material processing, microstructure, properties and performance. Figure 1 depicts the interconnected relationship between these metallurgical engineering concepts. One component of this proposal is to improve the student’s understanding of these material science/metallurgy concepts by applying kinesthetic learning techniques and the teaching some of the historic techniques of blacksmithing to a limited number of students has shown early success with the student’s final comprehension and application of these concepts to current industrial technologies.