People attending Material Science Bootcamp

Weeklong bootcamp teaches teachers about material sciences

Elementary and high school teachers learned how to take their science classes to the next level thanks in part to our company’s sponsorship of a weeklong materials bootcamp.

Fifteen teachers from Hamilton, Halton, Brant and as far away as Red Deer, Alberta enrolled in McMaster University School of Engineering’s and the American Society for Metals (ASM)'s weeklong material science bootcamp last week. 

The ASM Material Education Fund, a registered charity in the United States, has been running boot camps for teachers and students for more than 30 years. ASM Materials Camps Canada formed about 20 years ago and camps have been operating in Hamilton since 2008. 

Our company began sponsoring the teacher boot camp five years ago through the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Corporate Community Investment Fund (CCIF). The sponsorship means the camp is free to teachers. 

Dr. Hatem Zurob

“We try to align our activities with curriculum covering materials such as steel, polymers, ceramics and composites,"

We try to align our activities with curriculum covering materials such as steel, polymers, ceramics and composites,” said Dr. Hatem Zurob, who is chair of ASM Materials Camps Canada and chair of the Department of Material Science and Engineering at McMaster University. 

The camp explores the properties of steel, how corrosion works and how heat treatment affects steel. One activity coats a penny with zinc which is then heated on a hot plate. The heat diffuses the zinc into the penny to make it brass. 

The teachers also made polymers through polymerization reactions. Then they introduced the polymers to water to make things like instant snow and glowing crystals. Participants also created reinforced concrete pucks and competed to see whose puck could withstand the highest drop.

“We also do hands-on activities making raku pottery. It creates beautiful colours through oxide reduction reactions,” said Dr. Zurob, whose research focuses on the phase transformation of steel. 

“We want to illustrate eye-catching, cool things about materials and hope that students find it engaging. We also want to communicate how an interest in materials can lead to many careers.” 

In all, teachers go away with all the teaching materials needed for 40 classroom activities. 

Boot camp participants also took a tour of our company’s steelmaking and finishing operations led by Richard Do Couto (Corporate Affairs). 

“Dofasco is a great example of how knowledge of materials is transferred into an important product and strong careers,” said Dr. Zurob. “As well, the transfer from a carbon-intensive process to net-zero requires a pipeline of engineers and technical people in material sciences. It’s great for the city and great for Canada.” 

Each teacher received a toolkit complete with materials and documentation for carrying out experiments in their classrooms.  

“Dofasco is a very generous supporter," Dr Zurob said. "In fact, Richard has offered to work with the teachers to see what demos and labs they want to use in their classrooms. He’ll put a kit together of the materials needed and ship it to their schools.” 

Cheryl Graves, head of science at Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School (NFHSS) on the Hamilton Mountain

“We are finding out about what’s out there that can help us deliver STEM to our students.”

People doing experiments with coins
Agi Orban, a teacher at Nora Frances Henderson Secondary on the Hamilton Mountain, performs a penny experiment, which demonstrates how heat treatment affects steel.

Teachers raved about the experience. 

Cheryl Graves, who is head of science at Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School (NFHSS) on the Hamilton Mountain, texted her colleague Agi Orban after a couple of hours on the camp’s first day. 

“I told her that if she was free this week she had to come. It’s a fabulous, fabulous program. I will make sure every science teacher in our school board learns about this camp.” 

Orban rearranged some plans and joined the camp the second day. 

Agi Orban, a teacher at Nora Frances Henderson Secondary on the Hamilton Mountain

“The activities make really great connections to the materials used all around us. I have found huge value in this camp. The fact that it is free, is amazing.”

Material Science Bootcamp Coins
The results of the penny experiment: After the penny is coated with zinc and then heated on a hot plate, the heat diffuses the zinc into the penny to make it brass.

NFHSS has STEM courses built directly into its curriculum. Beyond helping with the ongoing challenges of finding suitable, engaging activities and assembling the necessary materials, the camp helps connect teachers to mentors, field trip opportunities and other resources in the community, says Graves.  

“We are finding out about what’s out there that can help us deliver STEM to our students.” 

Mark Chai-Chong, who teaches STEM to elementary students in Brantford, first came to the camp several years ago and returned this year for a refresher. 

“I feel really energized. I’m excited to get into the classroom and show the kids these activities. This camp is fantastic.” 

Madeleine Escobar, a science and math teacher who travelled to the camp from Red Deer, says the experience was well worth the effort.  

“This is a great opportunity to learn how to get students engaged in learning again. I’ve now got so many activities like quenching and tempering that I can take into my classroom to excite my students.” 

In addition to the teacher summer bootcamp, says Richard, our company offers material science camps for students in elementary and high schools in the Hamilton-Burlington-Niagara area that are led by McMaster students, as well as summer camp activities and teacher workshops during professional development days. 

“All together, these programs are an important part of our commitment to deliver on our Sustainable Outcome No.9: Pipeline of Talented Scientists and Engineers,” said Richard. 

“Camp doesn’t end after five days. We are working throughout the year to develop relationships with teachers and students to expose more students to STEM and the exciting careers in our industry."