From: Mr. Joseif Pinkston, Math Teacher

Subject: FAMU-FSU School of Engineering Field Trip

Date: October 23, 2015

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Students from East Gadsden High School visited the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering (COE). The field-trip had a math focus, led by three math teachers from EGHS. Student attendees included members of EGHS’ Jr. National Society of Black Engineers, National Honors Society, Beta Club, and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society. Students gained valuable insights into engineering from a university and career perspective. FAMU-FSU COE Ambassadors led the tour, introducing students to various research facilities such as, the Chemistry Lab, Concrete Analysis, Magnet Lab, and the High Performance Materials Institute. FAMU-FSU COE graduate students and professors shared projects under development so that EG students could gain hands-on experience with various applications of mathematics.

In the chemistry lab, students were introduced to a fully functional distillation column. The unit was developed in house and controlled using customized software. Students learned how controlling temperatures in the column can produce gasoline, pharmaceuticals, food products, bottled water, alcohol, ethanol, and more.

In the Concrete Analysis lab, students experimented with concrete cylinders. They tested the pressurized capacity of various concrete cylinders to determine how much pressure cylinders could withstand before the integrity of the structures was compromised. Students learned that such tests are important when designing bridges and buildings. Moreover, students were intrigued at how concrete can bend before it breaks. For example, bridges bounce as heavy vehicles move across, and bridges can sway in the wind.

In the Magnet Lab, students witnessed a fully functional model of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine. Students saw scanned images of a human brain through the proverbial ‘eyes’ of the machine. The instructor really garnered students’ attention when he warned cell phones could be damaged if they moved too close to the MRI.

In the High Performance Materials Institute, students were introduced to nanotubes and eclectic forms of nanotechnology. Students enjoyed sitting in a model car made of a lightweight carbon fiber material. They also took turns standing on an elevated plane of carbon-based material. The sheet of carbon did not invert despite its light weight.

Lastly, COE Ambassadors showed students a list of companies that attended their bi-annual Engineering Day, in which companies travel to the campus from across the United States to recruit students for potential internships and full-time employment. Some of the companies that participated this fall included: BMW, CIA, Cummins, Duke Energy, GE, Georgia Pacific, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Norfolk Southern, and Pepsi. There were approximately 75 companies that attended the fall event. An engineering degree affords students an opportunity to work in research, design, testing, manufacturing and sales to name a few.  One of the engineering students said he loves engineering, but doesn’t expect to work on the technical side. His interest would prefer to work in sales.

FAMU-FSU COE Ambassadors were happy to form a working relationship with the EGHS math teachers, and club sponsors. They added us to the COE distribution lists and encouraged us to attend the MAGLAB open house and to set up parent/student tours. Additionally, the Ambassadors are willing to travel to EGHS to talk to students about the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering enrollment process.

Overall, the FAMU-FSU tour provided valuable exposure to ‘real-world’ applications of mathematics. The goal of the trip was to peak interest in math and as a result, stimulate students’ will-to-learn in the classroom. It was assumed that if students realize how math is applied in the ‘real world,’ they will have a better understanding of math’s purpose. Consequently, students will be more focused in learning and might even pursue a career in a math-related field. Based on student attitudes in lieu of the visit, the field trip was a rewarding success!