“Frack Attack”: An Engaging Classroom Activity to Integrate Sustainability

Authors

  • Paul Gannon 1 – Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University 2 – Montana Engineering Education Research Center, Montana State University
  • Ryan Anderson 1 – Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University 2 – Montana Engineering Education Research Center, Montana State University
  • Carolyn Plumb 2 – Montana Engineering Education Research Center, Montana State University
  • Douglas Hacker 3 – Educational Psychology, University of Utah

Abstract

  “Frack Attack” is a transferable classroom activity that combines active learning and teamwork to critically evaluate sustainability topics in contemporary engineering contexts. The activity was recently explored in three chemical engineering courses at Montana State University: two elective courses on sustainable energy (one freshmen-level and one senior-level) and one core sophomore-level fluid mechanics course. In all courses, the activity aimed to show the broader impacts of engineering (e.g., fracking), while tying in basic engineering concepts and practices (e.g., pump sizing). This article describes the class activity, its implementation and assessments, as well as opportunities for improvement and adoptability into other engineering courses.

Author Biographies

Paul Gannon, 1 – Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University 2 – Montana Engineering Education Research Center, Montana State University

  Paul Gannon is an associated professor in chemical and biological engineering at Montana State University (MSU). He earned his B.S. and Ph.D. in chemical engineering at MSU and has been an MSU faculty member since 2008. His research interests include high-temperature corrosion, energy conversion systems and engineering education.

Ryan Anderson, 1 – Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University 2 – Montana Engineering Education Research Center, Montana State University

 

 Ryan Anderson is an assistant professor in chemical and biological engineering at Montana State University. He earned a B.A. in history and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Bucknell University. He completed his Ph.D. work at the University of British Columbia. His research interests include fuel cells, porous media, and heat transfer.

Carolyn Plumb, 2 – Montana Engineering Education Research Center, Montana State University

 

 Carolyn Plumb is the recently retired Director of Educational Innovation and Strategic Projects in the College of Engineering at Montana State University (MSU). Dr. Plumb earned her Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Washington and has been involved in engineering education and program evaluation for over 25 years.

Douglas Hacker, 3 – Educational Psychology, University of Utah

 

 Douglas J. Hacker earned his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Washington in 1994, at which point he joined the faculty at the University of Memphis. He moved to the University of Utah in 1999 where he is now full professor in the Department of Educational Psychology in the College of Education. His current areas of research include metacognition, writing processes, and program evaluation.

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Published

2018-09-17

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 4 (2018): Fall 2018

Section

Manuscripts