EXPERIMENTAL GEOSCIENCE IN A FREEZER: ICE AND ICY COMPOUNDS AS USEFUL EDUCATIONAL ANALOGUES FOR TEACHING EARTH AND PLANETARY MATERIALS SCIENCE AND THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES

摘要

As our societies become ever more technologically complex, citizens and decision makers need to become more knowledgeable about the science of materials if they are not to become victims of technology rather than the masters of it. Many recent examples of failures of public-works projects, such as collapses of airport terminals, tunnels, and aircraft losses, have issues regarding materials selection and properties. Decision makers have learned that they cannot passively accept expert opinion and need to be knowledgeable enough to ask the right questions concerning complex public-works, transportation and other large and costly projects. Moreover, many science students and professionals generally have but a rudimentary knowledge of the science of materials and hence are often unprepared for research involving knowledge of material properties and processes.