Lab Report Upgrades to power, chemistry and physics laboratories enhance natural sciences and engineering programs

The Point
Winter 2018

When Justin Ross entered Point Park’s engineering technology program as a first-year student, he appreciated the University’s quality faculty and curriculum and flexible courses that enabled him to balance the demands of a full-time job. The outdated electrical power lab in Academic Hall was not a selling point, however.

That changed last fall, when the University unveiled a bright new power lab with upgraded equipment, thanks in part to a generous donation from Justin’s parents, Kathy and Joel Ross, who is president and CEO of Universal Electric Corporation (UEC) in nearby Canonsburg, Pa. “It’s a very positive change and reflects professionality, especially in light of the fact that the University’s focus on science and engineering has been growing,” said Justin, now in his senior year. “I wish I could start all over again in this new lab!”

The University has also renovated its chemistry and physics labs to enhance the overall learning experience for students. “We are proud to say that we now have modern, updated lab facilities to match the quality of our programs,” said Gregg Johnson, head of the Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology (NSET) department.

Point Park now offers bachelor of science programs in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, both of which been designed in full compliance with the criteria of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org).

For nearly two decades, the University’s electrical engineering programs have seen steady growth under the leadership of Professor Donald Keller. Director of the program for 17 years, Keller has led many initiatives to build the EE program, as well as the effort to design, equip and furnish the power lab through a major capital investment by the University.

Power lab boost

Components of the expanded power lab include new lighting, reconfigurable workspaces, new power electronics and motor driver equipment, and, thanks to the Ross donations, a new micro-grid simulator and renewable energy (solar cell) simulator. According to faculty member Yaser Roshan, the lab enables students to conduct a broad range of experiments and supports courses in electric machines (motors, generators, and transformers) as well as power electronics, systems control and renewable energy. The University is also adding a wind turbine simulator and is planning to install solar panels to further expand coursework and research in the growing area of renewable energy, says Roshan.

“Renewable energy and sustainability is the future, so this is very important work for students,” says Joel Ross, who is president and CEO of Canonsburg-based Universal Electric Corporation (UEC), a 90-year-old company founded by his grandfather. UEC specialized in electrical power distribution equipment and has revolutionized power distribution in data centers, industrial manufacturing facilities and retail stores in the United States and abroad.

“We wanted to help because we could see a real need for this new equipment,” says Joel, whose daughter Melodee Holsinger-Bridges (COPA ’02) is a graduate of the Conservatory of Performing Arts and founder of children’s entertainment company Melstar Entertainment in Los Angeles. “We are happy to support the University, which has provided a great education for two of our children,” he says, adding that UEC has also hired graduates of Point Park.

Chemistry lab expands

The chemistry and physics labs in Academic Hall have also been renovated and improved. The formerly outdated chemistry lab has been expanded with new workspaces and equipment, new hoods and better lighting. As a result, both safety and student collaboration have been enhanced, says Johnson. No longer are students found crowding around an experiment due to lack of adequate space.

According to Instructor Kristy Long, who often starts her day in the chemistry lab before classes begin, the new lab is so appealing that many students choose to spend time there outside of normal class times. “It’s a now much more pleasant environment for work and study,” she says.

Innovation in physics

Astrobiologist and physics professor Brendan Mullan aimed to reinvigorate physics education in his design of the new physics lab. After benchmarking leader institutions, and incorporating recommendations from the American Association of Physics Teachers and initiatives like Project Scale-Up, “I tried to create a lab experience for our students that contains the best of modern pedagogy within our budgetary and space constraints,” says Mullan. “I want students to be able to engage in inquiry and have meaningful, authentic learning experiences. The new lab has been designed to be an incubator for that kind of learning.”

The space can be reconfigured so that the instructor can choose to lead from the center or the traditional position up front. The center is advantageous because of the proximity to AV equipment and learning software, and having equal access to all students at once, says Mullan.

“Our goal was to take undergraduate physics education and turn it into a collaborative, project-based learning experience,” he says. “Placing students in small groups enables them to ‘scale up’ their learning and be more active and collaborative in the classroom. Instead of having the curricular experience build up to lab, I want to have the lab lead the curriculum,” says Mullan. “This is a new way of doing things, at least in terms of the physical sciences, and fits strongly with Point Park’s mission.”

Growing for the future

Joel Ross praises the improvements to all three science and engineering labs. When the family toured campus for the first time, “the labs were not a highlight,” he says. “But all that has changed now. If I were walking into these labs [with a prospective student] today, I’d say, wow, you can learn as much right here as you would at some of the educational institutions that are well known for science and engineering.”

Justin Ross will graduate soon and will enjoy the new power lab only for the remainder of his senior year, says his father. "However, people plant trees that they’ll never sit under. It’s a wonderful thing to plant a tree and know that in the future, many others will be able to sit under it and enjoy the shade. That’s the kind of thinking that has inspired our gift."

Text by Cheryl Valyo
Photos by Christopher Rolinson
The Point is the magazine of Point Park University