First steps in composite materials for schoolchildren: A STEM educational project. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Depuydt, Delphine; Hendrickx, Kevin; Mehdikhani, Mahoor; Petrov, Nikolay A.; Lomov, Stepan V.; Seveno, David
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 109(2018)
• Page Start: 298
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Biocomposite -- Physical properties -- Liquid composite molding -- STEM; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.03.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: Composite materials are inseparable from today's life, yet many schoolchildren (and adults) are not familiar with them. In the framework of InnovationLab, an initiative of KU Leuven, a new Science-Technology-Engineering-and-Mathematics (STEM) project was launched, intended to introduce composite materials to schoolchildren. A toolbox was developed which enables teachers to perform composite-related experiments together with their pupils, actualising the pupils' knowledge in chemistry, physics and mathematics. The students learn about polymer matrices and fibres, produce a composite themselves, investigate its mechanical properties and finally test a composite catapult. This way the scientific awareness of the students is raised and they gain insight into today's challenges in composite materials and how engineers respond to them.