On Wednesday, Aug. 5, Prof. Li hosted local students from the Discover STEM program at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Discover STEM is a week-long program for 11th and 12th grade high school students held on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
During the lecture, Prof. Li introduced a brief history of refrigeration, the basic working mechanism of a refrigerator, and the four major components in a refrigeration system. Students then practiced calculating the coefficient of performance and cooling capacity of an air conditioner.
In the lab, students participated in hands-on activities measuring temperatures around a water chiller, with Undergraduate Research Assistant Henry Kopp helping host the demonstration. The interactive experience gave students a practical introduction to thermodynamics and refrigeration while encouraging curiosity and engagement in STEM.
