ASTM International has published a new article in its January/February Standardization Insights issue, featuring expert insights on how to best educate students about standards, in classrooms and lab settings.

Experts featured in the Q&A include Janet L. Gbur, Ph.D., research assistant professor, materials science and engineering, Case Western Reserve University; Darla Goeres, Ph.D., industrial coordinator and research professor of regulatory science, Montana State University’s Center for Biofilm Engineering; and Mellissa Komninakis, research analyst for the Applied Research Center (ARC) at Florida International University. The experts, who also hold various committee positions in ASTM, share how standards fit into their work and explain why exposing students early to standards is critical.

“Standards are great teaching tools. I work in a microbiology lab, which is a little different than a traditional engineering lab. I like to tell the students that it’s like following a recipe. While they may end up doing advanced research someday, starting with a standard test method is like starting with your base recipe. It teaches fundamental skills,” Goeres shared.

Access the roundtable interview via ASTM’s publication link.