Abstract: In response to the problems of lack of comprehensive and research-oriented experimental projects in traditional “Polymer Chemistry Laboratory” courses, which cannot meet the requirements for practical and innovative abilities of “emerging engineering” talents, a comprehensive experimental project on the preparation and characterization of rigid polyurethane foam materials has been developed. By using a fully water-based foaming system and adjusting the dosage of foaming agent and flame retardant, seven groups of polyurethane foam materials were prepared. Then, the apparent density, compressive strength, and oxygen index of the materials were characterized using national standard methods. The influence and reasons for different ratios of foaming agent and flame retardant on the properties of foam materials were analyzed. This experiment closely aligns with the development of the polymer industry, highlighting comprehensiveness and research-oriented nature. The teaching process integrates basic experimental skills with scientific research methods training, which helps enhance the “innovativeness, high-level thinking, and challenge” of the polymer chemistry laboratory course and support the cultivation of “emerging engineering” talents.

Key words: Emerging engineering education, Rigid polyurethane foam, Polymer chemistry experiment, Comprehensive experimental project