Lesson 4: Intro to Materials (continued)

Title: Introduction to the Properties of Materials (continued)

Author: Andrew Stillman

Week: 1

Unit/Lesson Plan #: 4

Unit theme: Materials, Tools, and Machines

Textbook references:

N/a

Learning objectives:

• Design materials should be chosen based on their properties and total cost (including environmental).
• Properties can be quantifiable (quantitative) or non-quantifiable (qualitative).

Key Questions, Concepts, or Themes:

• How are materials chosen in the design of products?

Stage 1: (10 min) This lesson is, again, the completion of the activity begun in lesson #2.

• Have students get out Hw#1
• Using a document camera, have one student share their responses with the class.

Stage 2: (40 min)

• The previous day, students presented their definitions and examples. This took longer than expected, so we will launch right into the continuation of this process. Return to the three page grid of structured notes. (See lesson #2 attachments)
• With an overhead projector or document camera, go through each property / design consideration, having each pair present their findings.
• Probe for clarity and prompt the class to improve the definition provided. Record the consensus meaning on the grid.
• Help provide engineering examples if the group comes up short.
• Examine how the quantity can be measured in each case. Explore the difference between quantitative and qualitative, as well as objective and subjective properties.

Stage 3: N/A

Homework:

Catapult research prompts:

You task will be to construct a catapult that is capable of launching a small (miniature) marshmallow. You will be kept to the following restrictions: your team's total budget will be $5, and no single piece of the catapult may be longer than 30 centimeters. For materials, you will "purchase" items from the Stillman Harware store, which only carries certain items (to be determined based on your responses to this homework)

1) What is a catapult?

2) Where were catapults first used, and what for?

3) What materials would you need in order to construct a catapult that can launch a small marshmallow as far as possible? The Stillman Hardware Store will only supply those items that are well justified by YOU in this homework. You must describe the properties that make each material a good choice.

(Grid for listing materials. Headings: Material, What part/purpose will it serve?, What properties make it a good choice?)

Assessments: (attach/link copies)

__ Group assessment

___ Observation of process/student work

__ Self-assessment by student

X Teacher generated assignment

__ Written project

__ Test/Quiz

__ Other: ____________________________________