Steady State, Open-System Devices

                                  A Chemical Engineering Lesson
                                  Developed by Dr. Don Richards
                                  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology


                                               Click here for the PDF version of the lesson

Overview:

In Steady State Devices, students learn about steady-state, open-system devices (such as turbines, pumps, nozzles, etc.) through the cooperative learning exercise Jigsaw. Using this method, different students study different aspects of these devices, becoming the “experts” on only their given aspect. The class then comes back together to teach each other about the devices as a whole.

Learning Objectives or Student Outcomes:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to
knowledgeably describe a specific steady-state, open-system device through the completion of both an individual and a group information sheet.

Length of Lesson:

1 to 1.5 hours of in-class time. Follow up review of material in the course textbook will take additional out-of-class time.

Team Size/Composition:

The number of groups will depend on the number of students in the class. For example, if there are only 28 people, there will be 7 groups of 4—one group for each device. If the class has 56 people, it might be better to do 14 groups of 4—two groups for each device. Groups larger than 5 can be difficult for students to manage.

How is positive interdependence ensured?

Students are required to work together in groups to synthesize information obtained individually. The group will then have to complete and submit a group Steady-State, Open-System Device Sheet for their assigned device.

How is individual accountability built in to the project?

Individual Steady-State, Open-System Device Sheets must be turned in along with the new group one.

Basis or Components of Assessment:

Students will be assessed on both the individual sheet and the group sheet.

Team Skills Needed for Success:

Group members must have the ability to communicate ideas and knowledge and must feel comfortable about sharing and receiving information from other students for the creation of one final product.

How Are Team Skills Emphasized?

These skills are emphasized through team processing of the information. The students must be able to come to consensus on what ideas/knowledge needs to be included in the final product.

Materials Needed by Students:

    • Steady-State, Open-System Devices handout

    • Course textbook—Thermodynamics (6th ed.) by Wark and Richards, McGraw-Hill

Materials Needed by Instructor:

    • A box with numbered slips of paper for the random device selection process

    • Open-System Devices, Open-System Devices Sheet

Content Lesson Links:

Instruction to Students

Open-System Devices

Open-System Devices Sheet

                                        Lesson   |   Instruction to Students |  Open-System Devices   |   Open-System Devices Sheet

©2002, Don Richards                                                                                                                                   
These materials may be duplicated for educational purposes if properly credited.