Creating a materials samples collection to support the engineering curriculum

Abstract

Purpose: Engineers fundamentally solve problems. Engineering students are obtaining the education necessary to develop problem-solving skills and tools. Olin College of Engineering was founded on the philosophy that a hands-on, entrepreneurial, design-centered engineering education would create engineers ready to solve current and emerging problems. This paper aims to discuss the philosophy and development of Olin College and the Olin College Library, and then to address its evolving materials collection. Design/methodology/approach: The paper presents the development of Olin College, its philosophy and discusses its evolving materials samples collection. Findings: Olin's library has embraced the college's philosophy through the development of a realia, or learning objects collection that supports multiple intelligences. Moving beyond these learning objects, library staff wanted to build a collection of materials samples that enhance the engineering curriculum, and specifically design, sustainability and materials science courses. Students use the objects to make project decisions and for inspiration. The hands-on nature of the collection aligns with the pedagogical philosophy of the college. These objects are physically available and also are beginning to have digital representation. A growing partnership between the library and specific courses is helping build the collection, while subscriptions from vendors assure a steady growth of new objects. Practical implications: The collection requires three phases of thought and development beyond acquisitions: display of objects, storage of objects, and the digital representation of objects. The digital representation has several layers of development, from database building to metadata decisions to object photos to the workflow and policy decisions. Originality/value: The paper discusses the philosophy and development of the Olin College materials samples collection. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.