More than 1,700 chemE students from around the world gathered this morning in Salt Lake City for a welcome brunch that officially opened the 2015 Annual Student Conference. Students traveled from more than 18 countries including Columbia, India, Lebanon, Singapore, and Turkey.
Process safety education
Current Student Chapters Committee Chair Chelsea Monty kicked off the program by bringing attention to the undergraduate process safety learning initiative, a collaboration between industry, academia, and CCPS to accelerate process safety education and prepare chemEs for the workforce. The initiative also helps universities meet the new Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) requirements.
She also acknowledged the generous early support provided by The Dow Chemical Company, a Founder’s Circle Benefactor, and Chevron, a Founder’s Circle Underwriter, for leading this initiative. Stay tuned for more on this initiative, part of AIChE’s “Doing a World of Good” campaign, including ways to integrate it at your student chapter.
Process safety test for a chance to win an iPad
Chelsea then tested the students' process safety knowledge with a quiz they could take either on their phones or computers. Those who answered the questions correctly were entered to win an iPad through a random drawing.
Below are the questions for the quiz:
1. Which of the following are material hazards of chemicals?
a. Toxicity
b. Flammability
c. Reactivity
d. Corrrosivity
2. A Hazard is defined as an inherent property, such as flammability. Which of the following properties defines a Risk?
a. The presence of a known hazard
b. The expected frequency of occurrence
c. The magnitude of bad outcomes (e.g., injuries, fatalities)
3. Which of the following statements about the differences between Process Safety and Occupational Safety is true?
a. Process safety focuses on the prevention of accidental chemical releases, fires and explosions.
b. Occupational safety focuses on personal safety, such as the prevention of falls, trips, electrical safety, hot work permits, confined space entry and so on.
c. There is some overlap between the categories. Occupational safety matters can overlap process safety practice, such as with hot work permits.
4. True or false? An incident is a series of unplanned events or failures that lead to an undesired outcome such as an explosion. A near miss is a series of unplanned events that could have led to an incident if a layer of protection had failed or circumstances were different.
a. True
b. False
The iPad winner was Matthew Sertich of Rowan University.
Chelsea then introduced AIChE Executive Director June Wispelwey, who greeted students and reinforced the importance of process safety education.
2015 AIChE President Cheryl Teich reiterated the importance of process safety education and also encouraged students to take advantage of the international networking opportunities available at the conference, which welcomes many students from around the world.
Cheryl then introduced Allan McDonald, mentioning that he is one of the most appropriate people to talk about the subject of ethics and, in particular, the safety considerations inherent in all ethical decisions. Allan has had a storied career in both industry and academia. Of particular interest today is his position as director of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Project at the time of the Challenger accident. Allan led the redesign of the solid rocket motors as Vice President of Engineering for Space Operations.
After brief opening remarks, Allan McDonald gave a talk entitled "Ethics Lessons Learned from the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster.” Learn more about Allan.
The Global Student Video Competition
Student Chapters Committee Chair Chelsea Monty briefly addressed students and reviewed the jam-packed 2015 ASC program. She then invited Victoria Baldwin to the stage to make a special announcement about the Global Student Video Competition.
Victoria briefed the audience on the global student video competition, a unique opportunity for college students to create videos to inspire other students to pursue careers in chemical engineering.
Each year the Young Professional Committee selects a topic for the videos. Students from around the world submit 3-5 minute videos. Winning videos receive cash prizes. You can learn more about the competition and see the 2015 entrees.
Victoria then announced this year's winners.
- The winner of the public choice category, based on YouTube likes was the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná in Toledo, Brazil.
- And the winner agreed upon by industry judges was Colorado School of Mines.
Congratulations to both of the winning teams, who will each receive $700, and a thanks to all who participated.
Next year's competition
The topic for next year’s competition is how biological pharmaceuticals are made. Team statements are due May 30 and videos are due June 30, so start brainstorming now.