Investigation of refractory composites for liquid rocket engines Final report, 1 Oct. 1969 - 31 Oct. 1970

Oxidation resistance and high temperature tests of rhenium, tungsten, hafnium, and tantalum matrix composites with iridium in oxygen, fluorine, and boron atmospheres for liquid propellant engine

Study of a very low cost air combat maneuvering trainer aircraft

A very low cost aircraft for performing Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM) training was studied using the BD-5J sport plane as a point of departure. The installation of a larger engine and increased fuel capacity were required to meet the performance and mission objectives. Reduced wing area increased the simulation of the ACM engagement, and a comparison with current tactical aircraft is presented. Other factors affecting the training transfer are considered analytically, but a flight evaluation is recommended to determine the concept utility

Thinking about keywords and searching Summon as in-class group activity

This paper describes a short practical activity used at Middlesex University to teach students about the importance of keywords and thinking about alternative terminology before searching Summon. This activity is used at all levels and is a whole-class activity. It deliberately uses an image unconnected with Computer Science or Design Engineering, the areas in which we teach

Does it really improve their marks? : a brief foray into measuring the impact of information literacy training at Middlesex University

The paper is a brief report on a survey of second year computer science students to see what if any impact library information literacy training had on the linked coursework. The results show evidence of higher marks, better use of research tools and better understanding of evaluation criteria by those attending the training unlike those who did not attend

EPQ @ MDX: Supporting local students (A case study)

Staff from Library and Student Support at Middlesex University have recently resumed Extended Project Question (EPQ) support for students from local schools and FE colleges. Our aim is to develop information literacy and academic skills, as well as enabling access to our resources. During our presentation we will provide a brief overview of this level 3 qualification, who takes it and why. We will then discuss our approach to these workshops, how they have developed since 2014, practical issues encountered, and how we manage this offer collaboratively with our External Liaison and Outreach team. Our EPQ workshops use the games and activities based pedagogy developed for our in house information literacy workshops, but adapted to meet the needs of school and college students. The games and activities are not an end in themselves, but are designed to encourage scaffolding on previous knowledge and critical reflection. All our teaching materials are freely available via our EPQ LibGuide (http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/EPQ) which we are happy to share with our M25 colleagues

Demythologising librarianship: future librarians in a changing literacy landscape

This statement explores the potential role of librarians in the development of information literacy and research integrity in higher education. We contextualise this in a critical reflection of our own professional careers and practice, within continually changing information, social and political landscapes. We illustrate our development through a critique of our core public work, Enhanced pedagogy for improved information literacy, and a number of other smaller but significant previous public works. We also examine some of the narratives which surround the ‘Google Generation’, academia and librarianship and demythologise the context in which we operate. To inform the future development of our professional role we investigate information literacy concepts and models, the obstacles to the wider adoption of information literacy in higher education curricula, the skills and attributes that the librarian of the future can bring to its achievement and how the public works are a continuous response to change. Our insight and understanding are further informed by the opinions of academic colleagues following a series of in-depth interviews. We consider their views and the implications these have for our own learning and the development of our professional identity, within both higher education and our own university. Throughout this statement we show how our previous and core public works have influenced and informed our thinking, our practice and the recommendations that we make

What’s the name of the game? How Summon saves time for fun games

Over the past two years the Liaison Librarian team supporting Computing and Design Engineering at Middlesex University have been changing their pedagogical practice to base their teaching on games and activities rather than ‘follow me’ demonstrations. This paper discusses the broader issues that prompted these changes to our information literacy training, the ideas and inspiration that underpin our new approach, the games and activities we have developed, the role of Summon as enabling technology, and the results of a survey undertaken to measure the impact of our teaching. It concludes with a brief look at future developments

Workshops, games and activities used in teaching information literacy skills (version 9)

The files in this site are the games and activities developed by Adam Edwards and Vanessa Hill to support teaching information literacy skills at Middlesex University. They are regularly updated and added to as we develop the collection. Some of the games will need laminating and cutting up for use in multiple sets. You can use these for your own teaching. We just ask that you tell us if you make new versions as we like to build on new ideas

Ba & Eu Abundances in M15 giant stars

To investigate the Ba and Eu abundances for a sample of 63 giant stars in the globular cluster M15. This is the largest sample of M15 giants stars for which Ba abundances have been determined and, due to the target selection of the original research programme, the Ba abundances are complete along the red giant branch. Stellar parameters were taken from the previous key study and a microturbulence-surface gravity relation was determined for precise measurement of the Ba line at 6496.898 Angstroms, which has a high sensitivity to microturbulence. Element abundances for Ba, La, Eu, Ca, Ni and Fe were calculated using spectrum synthesis and equivalent widths techniques. A bimodal distribution in Ba, Eu and La abundances was found within the sample. The low Ba,Eu,La mode had mean abundances of =-2.41+/-0.16, =-1.80+/-0.08 and =-2.19+/-0.13 while the high Ba,Eu,La mode had mean abundances of =-2.00+/-0.16, =-1.65+/-0.13 and =-1.95+/-0.11. Both modes are indicative of a pollution scenario dominated by the r-process, hence contributions from explosive nucleosynthesis of massive stars. There may be evidence of further enhancement by another heavy element process and of potential anticorrelations in Na-O for both modes indicating a complex formation and evolution history for M15.Comment: 20 pages, 15 figure