1. What is materials science?
2. What is nanotechnology?
3. What is inquiry?
4. To which grade levels are the modules geared?
5. What are the available assessment options for the modules?
6. How have the individual modules been used in traditional math and science classes, such as chemistry, biology, and physics?
7. How did the MWM team come up with the topics for the modules?
8. Can I contact other teachers who have used the modules?
9. How can I use the modules as a springboard to enrichment activities?
10. What kinds of resources are available to assist in the implementation of the MWM Curriculum into my classroom?
11. What skills do students demonstrate when they use MWM?
12. Troubleshooting: Who do I contact if I have a technical question about the modules?
13. Where can I find information on MWM’s privacy policy?
14. How do I place an order for MWM modules?

1. What is materials science?

Materials Science is the study of the characteristics and uses of various materials, such as metals, ceramics, and plastics (polymers) that are employed in science and technology. The field investigates the relationship between the structure of materials and their properties. Materials science, by nature, is interdisciplinary, employing and integrating concepts and techniques from many disciplines, including chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics and includes elements of chemical, mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering.

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2. What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is a field of applied science and technology covering a broad range of topics. The main unifying theme is the control of matter on a scale smaller than 1 micrometre, normally approximately 1 to 100 nanometers, as well as the fabrication of devices of this size. It is a highly multidisciplinary field, drawing from fields such as applied physics, materials science, colloidal science, device physics, supramolecular chemistry, and even mechanical and electrical engineering. Much speculation exists as to what new science and technology may result from these lines of research. Nanotechnology can be seen as an extension of existing sciences into the nanoscale, or as a recasting of existing sciences using a newer, more modern term. (Source: Wikipedia )

Two main approaches are used in nanotechnology. In the "bottom-up" approach, materials and devices are built from molecular components which assemble themselves chemically by principles of molecular recognition. In the "top-down" approach, nano-objects are constructed from larger entities without atomic-level control. The impetus for nanotechnology comes from a renewed interest in colloidal science, coupled with a new generation of analytical tools such as the atomic force microscope (AFM), and the scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Combined with refined processes such as electron beam lithography and molecular beam epitaxy, these instruments allow the deliberate manipulation of nanostructures, and led to the observation of novel phenomena. (Source: Wikipedia )

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3. What is inquiry?

In the most general sense, inquiry can be defined as the search for knowledge, information, or truth. In scientific inquiry, the search is for understanding of the natural world: Scientists (or students) study the natural world, formulating researchable questions, designing and conducting scientific investigations, and offering explanations and models based on their findings. In addition to communicating and defending their own research, they also recognize and analyze the work of others. In terms of science education, inquiry includes students activities in which they not only learn how scientists practice this method of investigation, but also employ this method themselves and develop knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts.

Please refer to the Pedagogy to learn more about our "inquiry through design" concept, which is the pedagogical base of the MWM program.

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4. To which grade levels are the modules geared?

The modules were designed to be flexible and applicable to any of the four grade levels in high school (9-12). Teachers can set up the activities and design projects in any manner they feel is appropriate to their particular students' needs and abilities. Some of the modules can also be, and have been, adjusted to the middle school level (6-8).

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5. What are the available assessment options for the modules?

Assessment items for end-of-module tests are available for four of the nine modules, Biosensors, Biodegradable Materials, Composites, and Smart Sensors. At this time, there are none for Ceramics, Concrete, Food Packaging, Polymers, and Sports Materials.

In the front matter of the teacher's editions of the modules, there is more information about assessment options. See also the text that surrounds the students' pages; there are assessment tips and portfolio project ideas throughout the activities.

You may also refer to the MWM User Support Assessing Learning page of the MWM website.

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6. How have the individual modules been used in traditional math and science classes, such as chemistry, biology, and physics?

Initially, the modules were used as supplemental educational materials to enhance traditional high school math and science classes. Some of the modules have also been adapted to the middle school level.

The table below displays the number and types of courses that have used eight of the nine published modules (currently information for the Ceramics Module is unavailable). In addition to middle school science, nine different high school courses have used MWM between 1996 and 1998: physics, chemistry, biology, physical science, earth science, general science, chemistry/physics, technological/engineering education, and mathematics.

Of the eight published modules, Composites, the first module available, commands the widest use across all nine disciplines in high school and middle school. Smart Sensors, Biodegradable Materials, Concrete, and Sports Materials are also popular among various disciplines because of their interdisciplinary nature. High school chemistry and general science classes and middle school science classes rank among the top module users, adopting six of the eight available modules. Physics classes tested three different modules, while biology and physical science both tested four modules during the past three years.

The following table shows the extent to which individual disciplines used the modules in their high school courses. Three high school courses used modules most frequently: chemistry and general science classes and biology.

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7. How did the MWM team come up with the topics for the modules?

The MWM program is an ongoing development effort to provide illustrative materials science topics to enrich existing high school science curriculum and to show a concrete linkage between the concepts learned in various disciplines and everyday life. The topics can be classified as critical societal materials, which can be further categorized into: a) materials system and b) materials and society. The MWM program is continuing to seek collaborative efforts with research institutes and industries to develop more modules of relevance to the classroom.

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8. Can I contact other teachers who have used the modules?

Many of our veteran MWM users would be happy to share their experience with other teachers. Their names and contact information are listed on our Teacher Network page, under the Contact Us section of our website.

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9. How can I use the modules as a springboard to enrichment activities?

The module represents only a small window of the cutting-edge technologies and the rich diversity of all branches of materials science that are beyond the reaches of current textbooks. One teacher, after teaching the Smart Sensors Module on piezoelectricity earlier during the school year, had his students try to modify an odd-number nylon polymer to become piezoelectric, as an end-of-year project. Using heat and a tesla coil the students were able to successfully demonstrate that the polar moments of the nylon molecule can be altered to produce an electrical impulse when deformed.

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10. What kinds of resources are available to assist in the implementation of the MWM Curriculum into my classroom?

Going through the resource links for the individual modules on this site would be a good first step. The MWM program also offers workshops conducted by master MWM teachers to train new users in implementing the curriculum in their classrooms. Additional resources may be found in local chapters of materials science and engineering societies or materials science departments in nearby universities or research laboratories. In the near future, MWM will be offering a variety of virtual multimedia and digital resources to MWM users.

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11. What skills do students demonstrate when they use MWM?

Teachers who use MWM have identified numerous skills that students have demonstrated, both during and after the experience of using the modules in class. These skills fall into several categories, including:

• Laboratory skills: measuring, manipulating equipment, recording data, graphing, performing mathematical computations, devising and conducting controlled experiments, making predictions

• Communication skills: collaborating to achieve shared goals, brainstorming, explaining ideas to others, persuading, employing problem-solving strategies, working to reach a consensus, translating observations into discussion, employing new terminology and vocabulary in group work, leading other students

• Application of scientific and mathematical knowledge: exploring new ways to integrate scientific, mathematical, and technological concepts; synthesizing information to create a new product or design; preparing technical reports on computers using programs like Excel

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12. Troubleshooting: Who do I contact if I have a technical question about the modules?

Materials World Modules

Northwestern University
1801 Maple Avenue, Suite 2410
Evanston, IL 60208
Email: mwm@northwestern.edu
Tel. 847-467-2489
Fax. 847-467-5544

13. Where can I find information on MWM’s privacy policy?

Materials World Modules (MWM) is committed to protecting the privacy of our members.

» View the MWM Privacy Policy

14. How do I place an order for MWM modules?

Please contact us.

This FAQ will be augmented as we get more feedback from MWM users.

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