In July 2014, we demonstrated MEMS based mechanical testing of nanoscale thin films to high school students as part of the Summer Engineering Experience (SEE@ASU) program at ASU in our lab. Approximately 100 students, in 9 batches, participated in this program. The students were first given a short presentation that introduced them to the basics of mechanical testing, the concept of stress and strain and the dependence of materials properties on size scale. This was followed by a live demonstration of MEMS based tensile testing of nanoscale aluminum films. The students observed sample MEMS devices under an optical microscope and the masks used to fabricate them. Finally, there was a short Q&A session on various aspects of MEMS fabrication and nanoscale materials testing.
