RICHARDTON HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT RICHARDTON, NORTH DAKOTA

TEACHER INFORMATION

The paper constructions I listed on this page are good introductions to the principles of engineering design, material processes, and properties of materials. You can start the unit by holding up a piece of paper and asking "What is this?" The response you want is

(1 paper, which is the material, and 2) sheet, which is the form that the material is in. Then ask for other types of sheet, examples: sheet of ply-wood, sheet metal, sheet of plastic, bolts of cloth etc.

You can lift up a piece of paper so it won’t hold up its own weight and then ask them to describe the dynamics of the material in its present form. The answer will be flimsy weak, etc. because it can't even hold its own weight.

Then try to separate the paper by pulling it apart across its plane, which is very hard for a human to do. Take a piece of paper and fold it down the middle so it forms a V shape and suddenly this sheet of paper will not only hold itself up but will also hold a pencil or a pen.

The dynamics of sheet material have similarities such as high tension strength and low compression strength. By modifying materials to take advantage for their properties the engineer can build tall towers, strong structures and long bridges. The modification of materials is the base for all engineering and related fields.

The next thing is to hold up tape, glue and staples and ask " What are these and what are they used for"? They are bonding agents and are used to bond materials together. In this unit we will be bonding similar materials together but we can also bond dis-similar materials. Ask for other ways to bond, example: welding, nailing, screws, sewing, etc.

Then hold up a pair of scissors or an exacto knife. These are parting tools such as saws, cutting torch, water jets, laser scalpels, etc. If you can manipulate this material and use these bonding agents and parting tools to their best advantage, then you can transfer this knowledge to building a structure made of steel, welding and torch, or wood, nails and saws.