Spotlight on a LearnChemE Video on Using Steam Tables

Check out this video from LearnChemE on how to use steam tables:

LearnChemE (https://learncheme.com/) is a freely-accessible, online platform developed to enhance undergraduate chemical engineering education through a comprehensive set of multimedia learning resources. Created and maintained by faculty at the University of Colorado Boulder and supported by the National Science Foundation, the University of Colorado Boulder, and CACHE (Computer Aids in Chemical Engineering), the site exemplifies innovation in engineering pedagogy by leveraging digital technology to address longstanding challenges in student engagement, conceptual understanding, and access to high-quality instructional materials.

LearnChemE offers an extensive library of screencasts, interactive simulations, self-study modules, virtual and digital laboratories, ConcepTests, spreadsheets, instructor course packages, FE and PE exam reviews, programming bootcamps, and how to study/how to learn resources. Topics span the breadth of undergraduate chemical engineering coursework. Many of the resources are also useful for mechanical engineering and environmental engineering courses, and the site has extensive resources for physical chemistry. The resources are organized by type of resource (screencast, interactive simulation, etc.) and also by courses and textbooks. The LearnChemE website had more than 1.1 million page views in the last 12 months.

Screencasts

One of LearnChemE’s initial innovations was the development of concise, narrated screencasts. These videos are typically 5 to 6 minutes long and concentrate on one topic. These screencasts provide students with example problems solutions, explain key theoretical concepts, explain how to use diagrams, and demonstrate how to use software and interactive simulations. Interactive screencasts with multiple-choice questions embedded in the video are also available. More than 2,400 videos integrate hand-drawn visuals, equations, diagrams, simulations, and instructor voiceover in a way that mimics the classroom whiteboard experience while allowing students to pause, replay, and engage at their own pace. These screencasts have been played more than 50 million times, and the LearnChemE YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@LearnChemE)  has more than 194,000 subscribers.

Interactive Simulations for Active Learning

A hallmark of LearnChemE is its suite of more than 300 interactive computer simulations. More than 100 were developed using HTML5/JavaScript and play directly in browsers. These simulations enable students to manipulate input variables and observe real-time effects on process behavior. Many simulations show how to use charts and diagrams.

Virtual and Digital Laboratories

LearnChemE has 25 virtual and digital laboratories and more digital experiments are being created, so that at least 30 will be available in Fall 2025. The virtual experiments are web-based simulations that mimic hands-on undergraduate laboratories. The digital experiments are shorter experiments that can be completed in a class period. These labs include guided data collection, data analysis, and questions to reinforce concepts. They are particularly impactful in remote or resource-limited settings, allowing students to develop experimental intuition and practice data interpretation even without access to physical equipment. Numerous studies have shown that digital experiments can be as effective as physical experiments for student learning.

Interactive Self-Study modules

More than 110 self-study modules incorporate screencasts, interactive simulations, ConcepTests, example problems, important equations, and key points. These are designed for students to use at their own pace to learn important chemical engineering topics. These self-study modules are currently available for six core courses.

Excel Spreadsheets/Polymath^Plus files

The LearnChemE website has 47 spreadsheet files that do calculations for nonlinear regression, temperature-dependent heat capacity, Gibbs free energy for chemical equilibrium, statistics, and other topics. Significant documentation is embedded within the spreadsheets that explains how to use them and the equations used to generate them. Each spreadsheet has one or more screencasts that explain the spreadsheet and demonstrate their use. The most-used spreadsheet is a complete set of steam tables that automatically interpolates and allows calculations of steam quality. Twenty Polymath^Plus examples are also available in the Student Resources section, and each of these is accompanied by one or more screencasts that explain the calculations and how to use Polymath^Plus.

FE and PE Exam Reviews

The Fundamental of Engineering exam and the Principles and Practices of Engineering exam are required for a professional engineer license. The Student Resources section contains screencasts for each of the sections in the Chemical FE and PE Exams

How to Study/How to Learn

The Student Resources contain extensive resources on how to study and learn. They include screencasts, handouts, multiple references, and links to websites. Psychology research has identified methods that are more effective for learning than the approaches used by most students.

Software Bootcamps

Bootcamps for Python, Excel, and MATLAB are available on the LearnChemE website. These bootcamps describe how to use these languages to solve engineering problems. Each bootcamp includes multiple screencasts, PowerPoint files with information and equations used in the screencasts, and example files. More than 250 example files are available.

Instructor Resources

LearnChemE offers more than 2,450 ConcepTests that are available to instructors. These are multiple-choice qualitative questions that are not answered by memorization but focus instead on common student misconceptions and higher-order thinking. ConcepTests are available as PowerPoint files so instructors can easily incorporate them into lectures or flipped classroom settings. The PowerPoint files provide answers and explanations. The Instructor Resources also contain course packages for thermodynamics, material and energy balances, and kinetics/reactor design courses. These all-inclusive digital Microsoft OneNote notebook files contain class notes, ConcepTests, pre-class assignments, recommended screencasts, simulations, interactive self-study modules, homework problems, sample exams and solutions, and resources about active learning methods. OneNote notebooks can be used directly in class, or information can be readily copied into PowerPoint files. The notebooks are easily modified to fit any instructor’s style.

Video: Learn Chemical Engineering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii93Aw0U1aQ