The Grainger College of Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering

Chocolate teaches materials science basics in tasty fashion

11/11/2026 Jackson Brunner

Department Head Paul Braun has been teaching materials science and engineering basics to freshman students for years through the MSE 182 Chocolate Lecture. Students learn about the ways in which materials change under different conditions and conduct tests using samples of chocolate candy.

Written by Jackson Brunner

For years, Department Head Paul Braun has been teaching the annual Chocolate Lecture to MSE 182 students. The goal of the event is to teach young students about the ways in which materials can change when certain conditions are applied. 

Students listened to a 30-minute lecture from Braun detailing the properties of chocolate, then enjoyed some delicious chocolate samples as they tested them! 

Watch the video below for more from Braun about the significant of the department's Chocolate Lecture. 

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This story was published November 11, 2026.