Cambridge, UK—December  5, 2011

Program announced for 2012 North American and International Materials Education Symposia

Events support teaching of materials and processes in undergraduate engineering, design, and science courses

The Advisory Committee have announced the full program for two Materials Education Symposia being held next Spring. The Committee of materials educators from leading universities and materials organizations have now selected speakers from the open submissions process, resulting in a fascinating program for both two-day events. Presentations fall into four themes: innovation and change; crossing disciplines; materials, government, and industry; and architecture and design.

The 3rd North American Materials Education Symposium will be held at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, on March 29 - 30. The 4th International Materials Education Symposium takes place at the University of Cambridge, England, on April 12-13. The events are being supported by:

• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Materials Division
• ASM International (the Materials Information Society)
• California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) 
• European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI)
• Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS)
• Granta Design
• The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)
• University of Cambridge (Department of Engineering and Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy)

Last year, over 150 educators from around the world gathered to share ideas and practical tips, taking part in discussion sessions as well as listening to presentations from those at the forefront of materials education. This year, two extended poster sessions will allow more participants to share their work, and give greater opportunities for networking and discussion. The Advisory Committee are still accepting abstracts for posters: the deadline is February 15, 2012.

The twenty talks at each event will be relevant to educators working in fields including materials science, manufacturing and processes, mechanical engineering, industrial design, architecture, aerospace and nuclear engineering, bio engineering, plastics, and sustainable engineering. Speakers will describe their approaches to materials teaching and their use of teaching resources. The full programs for each two-day event are now available online.

As in previous years, each symposium will be preceded by short courses led by Prof. Ashby of Cambridge University. Day one will focus on 'Introducing Materials and the Environment', and day two addresses 'Advanced Materials Selection and Eco Design'.

Registration is still open for these events, with the early-bird discount running until December 16, and some spaces are still available. More details are available at www.materials-education.com.

Further information

• Materials Education Symposia: www.materials-education.com
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Materials Division: www.asee.org
• ASM International: www.asminternational.org
• California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly): www.calpoly.edu
• European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI): www.sefi.be
• Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS): www.fems.org/index.php
• Granta Design: www.grantadesign.com
• The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS): www.tms.org
• University of Cambridge: www.cam.ac.uk

Supporting images at: www.grantadesign.com/news/media.htm