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Integrating the NAE Grand Challenges and Holographically-formed Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Thin Films (H-PDLC) into the Kenyan High School Curriculum.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2013

Jared P. Coyle  and
Adam K. Fontecchio
Jared P. Coyle
Affiliation:
Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A.
Adam K. Fontecchio
Affiliation:
Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Access to cutting-edge technologies in materials science and engineering within K-12 education is a great struggle in developing countries. In this work, a problem-based, hands on set of seven modules for integrating Holographically-formed Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (H-PDLC) Bragg Grating thin films into the Kenyan secondary physics, chemistry and mathematics curriculum is proposed. Through funding provided by the National Science Foundation, a pilot study of the integration of these modules, using the National Academy of Engineering’s (NAE) Grand Challenges for Engineering as a contextual vessel, is carried out. The efficacy of these curriculum-integrated modules in communicating real world materials science and engineering challenges is examined using qualitative and quantitative means. A method for expanding the use of this experience with other graduate students is proposed.

Keywords

educationliquid crystalholography
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1532: Symposium ZZ – Communicating Social Relevancy in Materials Science and Engineering Education , 2013 , mrsf12-1532-zz04-03
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013

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References

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