Materials science is a field that focuses on how different materials work and what we can do with them. Researchers in materials science develop and study a variety of materials in order to create things that can solve problems for people and make our lives easier. To do this, they combine chemistry, physics, and engineering as they examine how different materials work at the molecular level and then adapt them to different practical applications. Thanks to the research and development done by materials scientists, we have things like biodegradable plastics, the material used for bulletproof vests, and scratch-resistant glass used on smartphones. Learning about materials science can be a lot of fun, and it can also lead you to a rewarding career someday.
This lesson plan includes two activities that explore how you can make sugar take different forms. Working with this sweet material can give you either a syrup to pour on your pancakes or rock candy.
Did you know that people used to make plastic from milk? It sounds weird, but you can use a bit of chemistry to create a moldable polymer from a protein in milk called casein.
A Fun Look at Materials Science
This lesson plan that introduces the field of materials science includes an activity that lets students investigate the characteristics of different materials. Materials scientists do the same sort of work, exploring traits like whether something they're working with is brittle or bendable or whether it's a conductor or an insulator.
Ceramic and Glass Demonstrations
You can learn a lot about the properties of glass and ceramic materials with this packet, which includes a demonstration of how glass fibers are made that uses Jolly Ranchers. Other activities featured here focus on the characteristics of Silly Putty and the differences between a metal alloy with a memory and regular metals, like aluminum foil or an iron rod.
Build models of very thin materials using gelatin and other edible substances, then experiment with them to see how different defects in how the materials are formed affect their properties. Once you've seen the results, try fabricating a material that will work best for a given purpose.
Materials scientists have created biodegradable plastics in order to help solve the problem of plastic pollution. In this experiment, you'll be able to make your own bioplastics from three different types of plant starches. Then, you can test their tensile strength to see which one is the strongest.
Build a model of a carbon nanotube out of balloons to learn more about how these molecules are structured.
One of the characteristics of polymers that materials scientists study is viscosity. Elmer's glue contains a polymer, and you can use it to study how the concentration of that polymer affects the viscosity of the glue.
A tensile test can define how strong a material is in terms of how much force it can take before it stretches and breaks. Try testing three different materials with this procedure to see which one is the strongest.
How Do Materials Scientists Choose Fabrics for Parachutes?
All fabrics are not created equal, and someone's life can literally depend on choosing the right one. Examine the properties of canvas, cotton, denim, nylon, silk, and other materials to determine which is the best choice for a parachute.
Making your own slime is always fun, but there's also science behind making this gooey substance. Using different amounts of different ingredients can produce a slime that's more firm or runny, sticky, fluffy, or wet-feeling. Try experimenting with your slime recipe to get it just the way you like it.
Spacecraft Materials and the Chemistry of Space Exploration
When NASA builds a rover or a satellite, they need it to stand up to some pretty extreme conditions. Experimenting with different materials can help to show which ones would best withstand the sulfurous atmosphere of Venus.
The Science of Homemade Play Dough
It's simple to make your own play dough at home, but getting a really good play dough, just like the stuff you buy at the store or maybe even better, takes a bit more effort. By experimenting with the different ingredients and the way they're combined, you can find the best recipe.
Non-Newtonian Fluids Explained
Have you ever played with oobleck? It seems like a simple mixture at first, containing just cornstarch and water. But when you get the proportions right, you get a weird substance called a non-Newtonian fluid. Try making your own, then apply varying amounts of pressure to it: When you use a gentle pressure, like slowly dipping a finger into the mixture, it feels like a liquid, but if you try punching it or giving it a hard slap, you'll get a much different result.
Materials scientists have discovered that you can make an eco-friendly polymer from algae. We might be able to make all sorts of things from this polymer someday, but right now, you can make strings of it at home and use it for crafting.
Image Credit: Unsplash
