We present the results of having applied a set of options in thermodynamics courses for encouraging a strong student in-class participation and engagement. Strong emphasis is given to planned ahead in-class student Q&As encompassing both thermodynamics and statistical mechanics and supplemented with take-home extra syllabus reading.…

Despite the instinctive perception of mass and heat transfer principles in daily life, productive learning in this course continues to be one of the greatest challenges for undergraduate students in chemical engineering. In an effort to enhance student learning in classroom, we initiated an innovative active-learning method titled…

YouTube Fridays is a teaching tool that devotes the first five minutes of class each Friday to a YouTube video related to the course. Students select the videos, which expand the class's educational content in courses such as thermodynamics and material and energy balances. From assessments of two pilot studies using YouTube Fridays in Chemical…

Discusses the need to design distillation columns that are more energy efficient. Describes a "design and build" project completed by two college students aimed at demonstrating the principles of vapour compression distillation in a more energy efficient way. General design specifications are given, along with suggestions for teaching…

A class in which students learn about the roles that chemical engineers play in a variety of industries is described. Outlines from the first two class offerings and discussions of the use of guest speakers, videos, plant visits, student projects, and grading are included. (KR)