MEDAN — 30 October 2026, students of the Mechanical Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, USU, carried out specimen preparation as part of a series of material hardness testing (hardness test) practicum activities. The activities included filing specimens before testing and preparing practicum reports as part of the experiment-based learning process.

Specimen preparation is an important stage before conducting a hardness test. A hardness test is a type of material testing used to study the hardness characteristics of a specimen. In practical learning, students are not only involved in the testing process but also need to understand the importance of sample preparation as part of the experimental process.

At this stage, students filed the specimens to prepare their surfaces for the experiment, ensuring that the testing could be conducted in accordance with the practicum procedures.

Through this activity, students gained direct experience in preparing materials before proceeding to the testing stage. This process also helped develop their precision, technical skills, and understanding of the laboratory procedures required for material experiments.

Practicum activities such as this are part of experiential learning that connects theories about material characteristics with direct observation and testing. This approach helps students develop a more practical understanding of the material covered in lectures.

In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this activity is related to SDG 4 – Quality Education through the implementation of practicum-based learning and the development of student competencies, as well as SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through the strengthening of technical skills and understanding of material testing and characterization.

Through specimen preparation activities, the hardness test practicum at the USU Faculty of Engineering continues to promote a learning process that integrates theoretical knowledge with technical experience in the laboratory.