Using Experiential and Collaborative Learning to Promote Careers in Engineering

This paper discusses the design of the Girls Accelerating and Learning STEM (G.A.L.S.) one-week residential summer camp designed to encourage young girls to pursue engineering careers. Specifically, the camp exposed participants to the fields of computer science and engineering using experiential learning to develop participant interest and skills. At the end of the program, students participated in team competitions and presented their work. The end-of-program survey data showed that the G.A.L.S. camp had an impact on the enhancement of student interest in engineering as a potential career. The paper will provide details on the program components, and further discuss the impacts of the program and how it can be used as a model for future programs.Cockrell School of Engineerin

Membrane synthesis for produced water filtration

Oil and gas exploration and production yields produced water (PW) which contains metal and oil. High volumes of PW pose threats to the public and environment, creating a major ecological problem. Forward Osmosis and membrane technology have been at the forefront as a pretreatment before discharge and as an option to remove oil contaminates in PW filtrate so that it can be used for other processes. Fabricated membranes are investigated for their effectiveness and efficiency in produced water filtration. Poly (vinyl) alcohol (PVA) /polysulfone (PSf) composite membranes with silver nanoparticle prevent microbial foulant accumulation during filtration. Functionalized composite membranes with a spacing element (1,4-butanediol diglycidal ether (1,4-BDE)) and metal chelating ligand(s) (iminodiacetic acid (IDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) or N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine N-N’-N’ triacetic acid (HEDT)) bind metals present in the PW. Enzymes (membrane monooxygenase, soluble rubredoxin, rubredoxin reductase and alkane hydroxylases) have been shown to treat contaminated soils therefore enzymes within the membrane via glutaraldehyde crosslinking will be shown to breakdown the hydrocarbon contaminated water. Preliminary data for composite PVA/PSf membrane show promising results for PW filtration with maintaining flux while preventing fouling

Investigation of biofouling resistant poly(vinyl alcohol)/cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membranes

Biofouling is detrimental to water filtration processes and decreases the durability of membranes. Therefore, membranes, that are resistant to the accumulation of microorganisms, are a necessity for water filtration. In this study, Cellulose Acetate (CA) and Poly(vinyl alcohol) blend membranes were prepared by the phase inversion method. To increase the rejection of foulants through the membrane, silver (Ag+) was added then reduced (Ag0) to decrease metal leaching. The casting solution consisted of 15% (w/v) polymer and 85% (w/v) N-Methyl 2-Pyrrolidone. Of the 15% (w/v) polymer concentration, different PVA concentrations were compared: 2% (w/v) 5% (w/v) and 10% (w/v). The membranes were analyzed for metal attachment, protein rejection, and water/foulant flux. Membranes were characterized with FTIR, XPS, SEM and Serial Dilution. FTIR confirmed the presence of the PVA’s hydroxyl group and a decrease in the intensity of the CA’s carbonyl group when blended. Additionally, membranes blended with PVA efficiently reduce adsorption of protein onto the membrane surface. Reduced silver membranes efficiently eradicate the growth of E.coli over a 5-hour time span pending E.coli colony concentration. SEM micrographs indicated differences in pore morphology with PVA while EDS confirms the presence of silver on membrane surface and sublayer. The water flux data displayed a great disparity when comparing CA membranes to PVA/CA membranes with a dramatic increase when blended with a surface modifier. Furthermore, a 28% increase in rejection was observed with the blended polymer

Evaluating alternative crosslinking agents in poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels membranes

Hydrogels are a network of polymer chains with properties that absorb, store and transport solutions. A hydrogel membrane has a permeability that allows influx and excretion. Therefore, it is the ideal material for medicated membranes. This study investigates the crosslinking of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel membranes using different agents and explores the usability of the candidate membranes as drug delivery systems. The model protein, bovine albumin serum (BSA), was used to test the stability and controlled drug release rate characteristics of the candidate hydrogel membranes. This investigation also evaluated the stability different crosslinkers for hydrogel membranes. Glutaraldehyde (GA) and an alternative crosslinking method of ultraviolet irradiation with the sensitizer, sodium benzoate (SB), were used to crosslink PVA containing BSA. In GA crosslinked membranes, BSA release diffusion experiments showed 48%, 45%, and 63% recovery of protein at pH 6.5, 7.4 and 8.0, respectively; this confirmed that this system is suited for physiological conditions and controlled release. Although SB has been used for membrane fabrication, our Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) results indicate that UV(SB)-crosslinked films are not suited for drug delivery, despite the release of BSA

Outcomes of Advancing Women Faculty in Engineering and Technology at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Retrospective Analysis of ADVANCE-PAID Participants

Keeping up with their historic missions, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have selected and granted progressively more number of degrees to women over the past few decades. From 1993 to 2006, the number of black women undergrads receiving degrees at HBCUs increased by 24%. For example, in 2002, 75% of black women awarded doctorates in Biology had baccalaureate origins from HBCUs. In 2006, data revealed that there were 900 black women faculty in STEM disciplines at HBCUs and 2,810 black women faculty at non-HBCUs. They accounted for 22% and 2% of the faculty at HBCUs and non-HBCUs. The ADVANCE-PAID project, Advancing Women Faculty in Engineering and Technology at HBCUs, was a collaboration between Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University that received National Science Foundation funding from September 2009 through August 2014. The project implemented four key activities: (1) annual workshops; (2) seed grants to support research efforts; (3) professional career coaching; and (4) weekly writing groups. Forty-seven women faculty from 14 HBCUs attended at least one annual workshop, 13 from 9 HBCUs received seed grants,11 from 9 HBCUs participated in career coaching, and between 4 and 6 women attended weekly writing groups. A retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the long-term impacts of the four activities. One-on-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with past participants to determine the impact activities had on their careers. Current faculty rank and position of each participant were compared to the rank and position held when they initially participated in ADVANCE-PAID activities. Surveys were sent to participants to assess how this project impacted their success, informed their decision or interest in pursuing administration, and how the various activities helped them overall. Group averages were compared by activity or combination of activities

Connecting Incoming Freshmen With Engineering Through Hands-On Projects

Engineering programs suffer a high attrition rate, which causes the nation to graduate much less engineers. A survey of the literature reveals that the high attrition rate is due mainly to the fact that the first year of an engineering program is all fundamental theory and students don't see the connection to their future engineering careers. To address this problem, educators in the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University launched a five-week summer camp entitled “College of Engineering Enhancement Institute (CE2I)” aimed at improving the performance of incoming freshmen in mathematics by one level and a smoother transition between high school and college. Each department in the college participated by introducing their individual curriculum through hands-on projects designed by faculty members. Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Computer Engineering Technology programs implemented multimedia projects to tie the incoming freshman to their selected majors. Results show that the camp met the expectations and successfully points the directions for our future engineering education practices.

Reversing the Tide in Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (Stem): Academically Gifted African American Students in Historically Black Colleges & Universities

What started off as a national concern has escalated to the point of crisis (Bonner, Alfred, Lewis, Nave & Frizell, 2009; Chubin & Malcolm, 2008; Hrabowski, Summers & Hrabowski, 2006). The current state of affairs regarding African American participation in STEM disciplines has become one of the thorniest issues of contemporary focus. This article highlights data collected for a NSF Education Research grant. The focus of this HBCU-UP project was to uncover factors contributing to the success of academically gifted (high-achieving) African American students enrolled in engineering programs at the 12 ABET accredited four-year institutions in the U.S. Specifically, this research highlights qualitative case study data including key categories and themes identified as impacting the academic success of this high-achieving cohort across each of the 12 institutions included in this study. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations are provided to increase the success of African American gifted students in STEM fields at HBCUs

Characterization of PVA-IDA Hydrogel Crosslinked with 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% Glutaraldehyde

Hydrogel membranes continue to be investigated forpotential use in a number of applications includingbioseparations, water purification, controlled drug release, toname a few. The potential of hydrogels to overcomedisadvantages typically associated with packed bedchromatography such as low protein loading, elution conditionsand regeneration increase their potential applicability and use forbiological separations. However, these materials typically providelimited selectivity between proteins of similar size, low proteinloading and durability. To overcome these limitations, poly vinylalcohol (PVA) hydrogels were functionalized with metal affinityligand to provide a selective means to enhance protein loadingand improve protein separation characteristics. Additionally, thecrosslink ratio was varied from 1.25 % (v/v) to 5.0 % (v/v) tofurther enhance membrane selectivity while also increasingmembrane durability. Characterization and comparison ofmembranes with varied degrees of crosslinking and examinationof structural properties and behaviors of membranes weredetermined for this study. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy(AAS), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), andScanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to characterizeand to examine IMAH membranes after functionalization.Results demonstrate successful functionalization of the poly vinylalcohol membrane with metal affinity ligands. The FTIR resultsshowed different band frequencies for specific groups associatedwith PVA cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. The presence of thechelator did not impact the swelling properties of the membrane;however, the Bound Copper Content (BCC) was increased by50%for the IDA-Me2+ membranes as the crosslinking ratio increasedfrom 1.25% to 5% GA (v/v).Moreover, an increase in cross-linking ratio resulted in structuralchanges that enhanced copper attachment which increasedprotein solubility

Increasing the Retention of Females of Color in Engineering and Technology Degree Programs through Professional Development Activities

This paper provides an overview of professional development activities designed to provide minority female engineering students with the knowledge and essential skills to enhance their preparedness to transition into the engineering workforce and their ability to sustain a successful career. Three professional development workshops are discussed that focused on such topics as breaking the glass ceiling, leadership, soft skills development, balancing technical and non-technical skill development, professional etiquette, mentoring, and creating a growth plan. Industry partnerships have been a critical component to the success of these activities