(581a) The Chemical Engineering App - Increasing Accessibility of Course Materials, Reference Data and Problem Solving Tools

The Chemical Engineering App for iPad and iPhone were developed to facilitate access to course materials, reference data and calculations for students, educators and professionals in chemical engineering and other STEM disciplines.  Within the first year, our apps have each been downloaded over 10,000 times by users in over 30 countries.  While the apps were originally focused on materials for mass and energy balance courses, we have worked toward a vertical integration of the chemical engineering curriculum and the software now includes relevant data and modules for thermodynamics, fluids, separations, controls and other courses.  The apps are available as free downloads on Apple's App Store, effectively making real chemical engineering course materials available to anyone in the world with an iOS device.  By lowering the accessibility barriers to course materials, students can review past or future courses at any stage of their education.  This readily accessible format also helps promote chemical engineering and STEM education.  Our presentation will discuss the use of The Chemical Engineering Apps both inside and outside the classroom and our vision for tablets and smartphones in chemical engineering and STEM eduction.