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Building a Low Cost, Hands-on Learning Curriculum on Glass Science and Engineering using Candy Glass

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

William R. Heffner  and
Himanshu Jain
William R. Heffner
Affiliation:
wrh304@lehigh.edu, Lehigh University, Int. Mat. Inst. for Glass, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Himanshu Jain
Affiliation:
hj00@lehigh.edu, Lehigh University, Int. Mat. Inst. for Glass, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
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Abstract

We have developed a program to connect students, as well as the general public, with glass science in the modern world through a series of hands-on activities and learning experiences using sucrose based glass (a.k.a. hard candy). The scientific content of these experiments progresses systematically, providing an environment to develop an understanding of glassy materials within a framework of “active prolonged engagement” with the material. Most of the experiments can be assembled in a high school lab, or even in a home setting with minimal cost, and yet are appropriate for inclusion in an undergraduate materials lab. The cost is minimized by utilizing common, everyday materials and devices. Some of the activities included in our experiments include: synthesis, density, refractive index determination, glass transition, crystallization, kinetics of devitrification, thermal properties, etc. Temperature measurement, temperature control, and even automated data collection are part of the experience, providing an open path for the students to continue their own interesting and creative ideas.

Keywords

crystal growtheducationphase equilibria
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1233: Symposium PP – Materials Education , 2009 , 1233-PP03-06
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2010

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