Embedded Files
This short video (3:57) provides a brief overview and history of materials science.
Suggested classroom use: After watching the video, ask students to brainstorm different careers that could be impacted by or dependent upon materials scientists.
Use this introductory activity to explore what material science is.
Suggested classroom use: Have students use the Think about it worksheet to come up with new ways to improve materials/objects.
Note: This lesson is also linked to Unit 6.4
This lesson is intended to take one 50-minute class period. Students watch a video of a quick tire change and wonder about how NASCAR tires are made and what happens to them after the race. They split into two groups to read an article and share the information from the article to revise a model about the life cycle of a NASCAR tire.
Suggested Classroom Use: Ask students to reflect on STEM careers related to the activity.
Watch this short video (5:17) from NBC News Learn to hear about how Dr. Nikhil Gupta, a mechanical engineer, tests materials used in bike helmet construction.
Suggested classroom use: Have students research mechanical engineering to learn more about this career.
Watch this video (4:11) to learn how Bohdan Bushell uses chemistry and changes in the properties of matter to create special effects.
Suggested classroom use: Ask students to make a list of movie scenes that they think science might be involved in. Encourage them to justify their answers.
What do materials engineers do? Carlos Barrios shows us some projects that he works on. See what a typical day is like both inside and outside the lab. In this video (6:46), learn what it's like to be a materials engineer.
Suggested classroom use: After watching the video, have students brainstorm different careers that could be impacted by or dependent upon materials engineers.
This "Science News Explores" article (readability score: 6.8) explores the science of glassblowing.
Note: Due to the length of this article, you may want to break students into groups and ask each group to read the introduction and then one of the three sections. Student groups can share what they have learned with the class.
Suggested classroom use: Have students answer these classroom questions before, during, and after reading. There is also a link to a word find puzzle using vocabulary found in the article. (Note: Teachers will need to provide an email address to register for free access to the questions.)
These virtual field trips from Discovery Education and engineers at Boeing allow students to explore five different categories of materials testing: Structural Testing, Wind Testing, Environmental Testing, Electromagnetic Testing, and Non-Destructive Testing.
Suggested Classroom Use: Use this companion educator guide to engage students. It includes a student guide to complete during the virtual field trip, as well as follow-up activities and discussion questions.
In this "Science News Explores" article (readability score: 6.5), learn about how materials engineers have designed a new fabric to mimic polar bear fur.
Suggested Classroom Use: After reading the article, have students take on the role of a materials engineer by answering the "Data Dive" questions at the end of the article.
Learn more about materials engineering in this short video (2:00).
Suggested Classroom Use: Utilize these discussion questions after viewing the video.
Find out how the iconic "Bill Nye the Science Guy" became interested in science and went from engineering to a TV legend. Includes a video (3:39), teaching tips, and support materials for use with students.
Suggested classroom use: Have students complete this student guide.
Note: This video is also linked in Unit 6.4 and Unit 8.4.
Do you only have a few minutes available? Show one of the short videos below as a warm-up or when there are only a few minutes of class time left.
Utilize one of the suggested reflection forms below with students to increase engagement.
Use this Career Connections Video Student Reflection Guide to engage your students!
Use this LINK video reflection resource to help students focus.
Use this graphic organizer from education.com. Ask students to research any information that isn't provided in the video.
Teachers need to create a free account to access the organizer.
See how NASA engineer Othmane Benafan “trains” metal to take specific shapes. In this video (5:45), he also describes his journey from growing up in Morocco to working at NASA.
Even astronauts recycle in space! Annie Meier is a space waste engineer working to help convert waste in space into the things needed astronauts need for space travel. See how in this video (7:41).
Do you know what materials science and engineering is? Watch this video (4:07) to learn about materials science and engineering, as well as some of the exciting career options for people with a degree in materials science and engineering!
Olivia Graeve is a materials scientist. One of her projects is working to make steel stronger. Learn more in this video (5:04) from Mission Unstoppable.
Paul Ohodnicki is a materials scientist at National Energy Technology Laboratory. Learn more about his career, how he became interested in STEM, and hear his advice in this video (4:53).
Watch this video (4:23) to learn how energy consultant Henri Rivers performs energy audits and makes recommendations to homeowners to help them reduce their energy use.
Watch this video (4:20) to learn how industrial designers create food packaging using engineering and design.
In this video (4:14) , Dr. Dan Lewis of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute explains how materials engineers select metals for their building projects.
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In this short video (2:00), Candee Williams explains how she works to prevent rust on metal parts used in cars, airplanes, and other equipment.
Learn about the science and art involved in choosing different colors and materials for automobiles in this short video (2:00).
Meet a scientist who is working to address the problem of marine debris, mainly plastics, in the oceans. Watch this video (2:47) to learn more!
Imagine never having to worry about getting a flat tire or having a set of tires that lasts the life of a vehicle! In this video (2:36), meet an innovator who is working to make such a thing reality by using a space-age material invented by NASA.
From building legos as a child to working on coatings for space, Dr. Chelsea Appleget is a materials engineer at Aerospace Corporation. Learn more about her job and her journey in this video (2:50)
This short video (1:29) provides a brief overview of different types of engineering.
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