MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS IS A STANDARD TECHNIQUE FOR BOTH RESEARCH AND PROCESS CONTROL. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT WAS TO DEVELOP A PROTOCOL FOR THE USE OF A LOW-COST VISION SYSTEM TO DETERMINE THE CARBON CONTENT OF STEEL. THE SYSTEM IS A GENERIC TEACHING/MODELING MENU DRIVEN VISION SYSTEM, HAVING A 32 GRAY SCALE AND CAPACITY FOR INCORPORATING APPLICATIONS PROGRAMS WRITTEN IN BASIC. THE PROJECT WAS COMPLETED AND IS BEING USED IN THE MATERIALS SCIENCES PROGRAM AT TRENTON STATE COLLEGE. THE PROJECT ALSO DEMONSTRATED AN IMPORTANT METHOD OF INTRODUCING YOUNG TALENTED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO CAREERS IN ENGINEERING.