Professor and two students utilizing engineering equipment

Directory

Department of Computer Science, Engineering & Mathematics

Bethany S. Fralick, PhD

COURSES TAUGHT

Fall 

ENCP 332 Kinematics
ENCP 200 Statics
ENCP 371 Engineering Materials
ENCP 498 Capstone Design I

Spring 

ENCP 260 Mechanics of Solids
ENCP 301 Numerical Methods
ELCT 221 Circuits
ENCP 310 Dynamics
ENCP 377 Manufacturing Processes
ENCP 499 Capstone Design II


EDUCATION

PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 2013
Dissertation: Three-dimensional evolution of mechanical percolation in nanocomposites with random microstructures
Advisor: Dr. Sarah C. Baxter

Purdue University, School of Engineering Education, 2009-2010 
Emphasis: Engineering design as hands on experiences; cognitive flexibility; how engineering is best taught, learned, and practiced.

MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 2009 
Thesis: An investigation of mechanical engineering experimental design processes
Advisor: Dr. Jed S. Lyons

BS, Engineering Management, Manufacturing Specialty, Miami University, 2007 


PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Society of Engineering Education

Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers


RESEARCH EXPERIENCES

University of South Carolina

Year Experiences

2011-2013

Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering

NSF Funded Research

Micromechanics computer modeling focusing on nanocomposites mechanical percolation. Developed computer code and compiled data to draw significant conclusions with regards to low volume fraction nanocomposites.

2007-2008

Researcher/Data Analyst, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Compiled and analyzed data from K-12 student’s perceptions of scientists and engineers. Presented findings at the 2008 American Society of Engineering Education Conference.

2008

Graduate Research Assistant/Participant, College of Education and Department of Mechanical Engineering, NSF-Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering Project. Investigated the research and teaching skill development of graduate students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Interviewed professors and students and compiled data from GK-12 students.

2007

Participant Observer, Department of Mechanical Engineering

NSF-Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Project, USC

Observed lecture and laboratory classes for cues and keywords from student interactions with peers and professor. Interviewed and conducted focus groups with students.

Purdue University

Year Experiences

2009-2010

Graduate Research Assistant, School of Engineering Education, NSF Funded Research

Constructed, validated, and implemented interview protocols with regards to design thinking and how students, professors, and industry persons learn, retain, and apply knowledge.


TEACHING EXPERIENCES

University of South Carolina

Year Experiences

Fall 2013

Instructor, Thermodynamics I, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Introduced thermodynamic concepts through lecture, assessment, and active learning experiences for a class of 30 second year students. Held office hours, graded all assessments, and provided external help for students.

Spring 2012

Instructor, Manufacturing Processes, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Introduced manufacturing process understanding by creating lectures, assessments, and out of classroom experiences for a class of 44 fourth year students. Held office hours, graded all assessments, and provided review sessions for students.

Fall 2012

Guest Lecturer, Manufacturing Processes, University of South Carolina

Helped present three lecture topics through lecture and video demonstration.

2008-2009

Fellow, University of South Carolina and Blythewood Middle School

NSF-Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education

Enriched sixth grade students’ learning of STEM concepts and applications though content knowledge. Created and presented unit based lessons with hands on activities two days a week to four classes. Focused on inquiry and student guided interaction.

University of South Carolina Upstate

Year Experiences

Fall 2013

Instructor, Introduction to Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences

Introduced engineering, professional concepts, ethics, and responsibility for the first offering of this course. Developed the syllabus and all assessments and projects. Prepared students for success through the integration of the important technical skills through group work and an active learning approach for a class of 24 students.

Miami University

Year Experiences

2005-2007

Teaching Assistant, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Graded homework for two professors over the two academic years. Courses included Statics and Manufacturing Processes.


PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

"The Evolution of Mechanical Percolation in Nanocomposite with random periodic microstructures" Bethany S. Fralick & Sarah C. Baxter, Mechanics of Nano, Micro and Macro Composite Structures, Politecnico di Torino, 18-20 June 2012.

"Student Attitudes Towards Designing Experiments" Bethany S. Fralick & Jed S. Lyons, American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, 20-23 June 2010.

"How Middle Schoolers Draw Engineers and Scientists" Bethany S. Fralick & Jed S. Lyons, American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Pittsburgh, 22-25 June 2008.


PUBLICATIONS

Baxter, S. C., Burrows, B. J., & Fralick, B. S. (2015). Mechanical percolation in nanocomposites: Microstructure and micromechanics. Accepted for publication.  Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics.

Bourn, R, Fralick, B.S., & Baxter, S.C. (2013).  Distributions of Elastic Moduli in mechanically percolating composites.  Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 34, 67-72.

Fralick, B. S. (2013). Three-dimensional evolution of mechanical percolation in nanocomposites with random microstructures. Ph.D., University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. (Paper 2230)

Bourn, R, Fralick, B.S., & Baxter, S.C. (2013).  Distributions of elastic moduli in mechanically percolating composites. Prob. Eng. Mech., 34, 67-72.

Fralick, B.S., Gatzke, E.P., & Baxter, S.C. (2012). Three-dimensional evolution of mechanical percolation in nanocomposites with random microstructures. Prob. Eng. Mech., 30, 1-8.

Adams, R., & Fralick, B. (2010). Work in Progress: Identifying Student Conceptions of Design Using a 6 Most and Least Important Assessment Tool. Paper presented at the ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Washington, D.C.

Fralick, B., & Lyons, J. (2010). Student Attitudes Towards Designing Experiments. Paper presented at the American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.

Fralick, B., Kearn, J., Thompson, S., & Lyons, J. (2009). How Middle Schoolers Draw Engineers and Scientists. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 18(1), 60-73.

Fralick, B. S. (2009). An Investigation of Mechanical Engineering Experimental Design. M.S., University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. (AAT 1467345)

Lyons, J., Fralick, B., & Kearn, J. (2009). A Survey of Middle-School Students' Attitudes Toward Engineers and Scientists. Paper presented at the American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference, Austin, TX.