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.”