Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Everyday Polymers

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the chemical identities of polymeric materials frequently used in their everyday lives. They learn how chemical composition affects the physical properties of the materials that they encounter and use frequently, as well...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Bone Fractures and Engineering

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn about the role engineers and engineering play in repairing severe bone fractures. They acquire knowledge about the design and development of implant rods, pins, plates, screws and bone grafts. They learn about materials...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Fun Look at Material Science

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students are introduced to the multidisciplinary field of material science. Through a class demo and PowerPoint presentation, they learn the basic classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites) and how they differ from one...
Website
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Dept of Materials Science and Engineering

For Students 9th - 10th
Webpage for MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The site includes links to academics, research, people, and news.
Website
Iowa State University

Iowa State University: Materials Science and Engineering

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about Iowa State University's department of Materials Science and Engineering, including news, academics, people, research, and general information.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Focus on Fabrics: Putting Materials to Good Use

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The goal is for students to understand the basics of engineering associated with the use, selection, and properties of fabrics. A wide variety of natural and synthetic fibers are used in our clothing, home furnishings and in our travel...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Battle of the Beams

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore the properties of composites using inexpensive materials and processing techniques. They create beams using Laffy Taffy and water, and a choice of various reinforcements (pasta, rice, candies) and fabricating...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Are You Gellin'?

For Students 2nd - 5th
Chances are, you have several materials around your house made of gelatinized materials. Gels are used in all kinds of products and materials: pudding, diapers, insoles, packaging, ice cream, toothpaste, and much more. In this project,...
Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Courseware: Fundamentals of Materials Science

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides entire curriculum for the Fundamental of Materials Science course taught at MIT, which "focuses on the fundamentals of structure, energetics, and bonding that underpin materials science." Includes lecture notes, assignments, and...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: The Leaning Tower of Pasta

For Students 9th - 10th
Here's a project for a budding architect or structural engineer. Can you make a strong, lightweight tower using only uncooked spaghetti and white glue? In this project, you'll learn about materials testing and apply what you learn to...
Website
Museum Network (UK)

Wallace Collection: Material World: Paint

For Students 1st - 5th
Learn about the material composition of paints used by artists and where pigments that give paint its color come from. Emphasis is on natural pigments obtained from plants, animals, and minerals, rather than on paints created for...
Article
Society for Science and the Public

Science News for Students: Cleaning Clothes Dirties Oceans

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes research into the pollution caused by plastics that are hidden in the fibers of synthetic clothing, and eventually end up in the ocean after laundering. Cites other research that discovered plastic pellets found throughout the...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Solid, Liquid or Gas?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are given a variety of materials and asked to identify if each material as a solid, liquid or gas. They use their five senses - sight, sound, smell, texture and taste - to identify the other characteristics of each item.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Engineer a Sneaker

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The goal is for students to understand the basics of engineering that go into the design of a sneaker. The bottom or sole of a sneaker provides support, cushioning, and traction. In addition the sole is flexible and can have some fashion...