Washington State University’s student chapter of Material Advantage has received two prestigious national awards. They were named the winners of the 2007 “World Materials Day” competition, based on their outreach efforts in the field of materials science towards K-12 students.
Out of nearly 100 student chapters nationwide, they have also been named one of five student Chapters of Excellence for 2007.
The WSU group, which includes about 25 students, has received many national awards in recent years and has been named one of the top five chapters each of the last seven years, making it one of the most nationally recognized student chapters in the country.
Sponsored by the International Organization of Materials, Metals, and Minerals Societies, the ‘World Materials Day’ competition requires that student groups participate in a project to promote the wider knowledge of materials and their importance in every day life.
The WSU group participates in several outreach programs for K-12 students.
This year, they received a grant from ASM International, one of the professional materials societies, to prepare mini science kits to help junior high school students get ready for the Washington State Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) test.
WSU was one of only five schools nationwide to receive the materials society’s grant. The group is pilot testing the kits this fall at select schools around the state. The group also gives presentations at their home high schools during school breaks. Last year, they invited high school students to WSU for the College of Engineering and Architecture’s open house.
“In our increasingly globally competitive marketplace, it’s more important than ever that high school and junior high school students know about the great career possibilities and really cool stuff that materials scientists and engineers do,” said Dave Bahr, professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and advisor to the WSU Chapter of Materials Advantage. “Our MSE students do a great job of bringing this fascinating world of engineering to younger students and the public in a way that’s just a lot of fun.”
The 2006-7 Material Advantage officers included Aaron Wilkinson, president; Lisa Diebler, vice-president; Megan Reynolds, secretary; Casey Stratton, treasurer; and Nicole Schatz, CEACC representative.
The 2007-8 Material Advantage officers are Kale Stephenson, president; Nicole Schatz and Erica Cathey, vice-presidents; Greg Pinkerton, secretary; Sara Miller, treasurer; and Whitney Patternson, CEACC representative.
Both awards will be presented at the 2007 Materials Science and Technology Conference in Detroit, Michigan Sept. 18.
