Drexel hosts Philly Materials Day
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BEYOND THE LAB
Drexel hosts Philly Materials Day www.phillymaterials.org
Steven Spurgeon
F
or a discipline that can be traced back to the construction of the pyramids and the forging of ancient bronze weapons, materials science is still a largely unknown branch of science. Last year, when the US Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) decided to air the NOVA series titled “Making Stuff,” faculty at Drexel University in Philadelphia saw an opportunity to draw attention to the study of solids. In collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and the local PBS affiliate WHYY, the Drexel Department of Materials Science and Engineering hosted the first-ever “Philly Materials Science and Engineering Day” in February 2011, building on interest generated by the NOVA special. The event, now in its second year, seeks to engage and inform the public through hands-on demonstrations, lectures, and
tours of laboratory facilities. The event has drawn hundreds of attendees, promoted scientific awareness, and spotlighted universities in Philadelphia. In February of this year more than 1300 visitors arrived at the Bossone Research Enterprise Center on Drexel’s campus for the event. They were greeted with demonstrations and lectures by distinguished scientists as well as feasting on music and food. Children mixed polyvinyl alcohol and sodium tetraborate to create bubbling slime. Graduate students handed out sweet ice cream treats blastchilled with liquid nitrogen. And towering above the action was a 100-foot-tall balloon carbon nanotube. The excitement in the air was palpable, stoked by the booming English brogue of Drexel Materials’ Associate Department Head Richard Knight, the day’s designated emcee. Asked about his motivation, Knight said that it was an excellent opportunity to spark interest in a field he loves. “The age-old problem we find is that people
Photos by Andrew Marx
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MRS BULLETIN
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VOLUME 37 • OCTOBER 2012
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www.mrs.org/bulletin
have no concept of what materials science and engineering is, but once you explain and show people, they have a better idea. They begin to realize then that everything is made of materials and there’s a reason why we choose the materials we do.” This sentiment guided the organizers, who tried to concoct an appealing mix of education and fun for a diverse crowd of children and adults. Throughout the day, graduate students held demonstrations showcasing mechanical properties, photovoltaics, glassy transitions, and biomaterials, among others. The university also hosted lectures, a musical performance by local “hip-hop scientist” Grand Hank, and a questionand-answer panel with faculty. University of Pennsylvania Professor Karen Winey, who participated in the panel, said, “I feel very strongly that [Philly Materials Day] is good for our city. It was also good for our graduate students and undergraduates who were involved in demonstrations. Their enthusiasm is contagious.” Winey said that outreach events like Materials Day demystify science, making it accessible and exciting for
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