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Activities Design Project Through the following key select activities, students learn how the components of concrete can be modified to alter the properties of concrete. They use their knowledge to make concrete roofing tiles that meet specific design and performance criteria. MWM will give students an opportunity to understand the world around them in a way they have never experienced before. The modules promote an awareness of the roles science and technology play in society and guide students to take increased control of their work. |
Module At-a-Glance
Module At-a-Glance
Activity 3: Comparing Different Concrete Formulations
Students make concrete samples using different formulations. They discover that the density of concrete can be changed by changing the proportions of its components-coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, cement, and water.
Activity 4: Testing Properties of Concrete
Using the samples they made in the previous Activity, students observe how the proportions of the components of concrete affect its strength and brittleness.
Design Project 1: Designing a Concrete Roofing Tile
Using what they learned about concrete from the Activities, students design and test prototypes of a concrete roofing tile. To be considered successful, the prototypes must meet specific design and performance criteria.
Connecting to Your Curriculum
Connecting to Your Curriculum
Materials World Modules are simple to organize and inexpensive to run. They are designed to be easily incorporated into any middle school science or high school science lab or lecture course. The chart below lists the subjects covered in the Activities and Design Projects sections of this module.
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Physics & Physical Science
Geology & Earth Science
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Chemistry
Language Arts
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Biology and Life Science
Mathematics
Technical Education
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Math Teaser
Building a Swimming Pool
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So you want to build a concrete border around your outdoor swimming pool.
Question How can the quadratic formula help you find the parameters? |
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Standards Alignment
| AAAS Benchmark Standards |
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NSES Standards |
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| Grades 9-12 |  Designs |
Grades 9-12 | Designs |
| 1. The Nature of Science |
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A. Science as Inquiry |
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Scientific inquiry |
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Ability to do scientific inquiry |
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The Scientific enterprise |
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Understanding scientific inquiry |
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| 2. The Nature of Mathematics |
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B. Physical Science |
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Mathematics, science, and technology |
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Structure and properties of matter |
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| 3. The Nature of Technology |
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Chemical reactions |
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Technology and science |
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Motions and forces |
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Design and systems |
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C. Life Sciences |
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Issues in technology |
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The interdependence of organisms |
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| 4. The Physical Setting |
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Matter, energy, and organization in living system |
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Structure of matter |
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D. Earth and Space Science |
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Motion |
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Energy in the earth system |
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Forces of nature |
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Geochemical cycles |
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| 5. The Living Environment |
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E. Science and Technology |
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Flow of matter and energy |
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Ability of technological design |
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| 8. The Designed World |
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Understanding science and technology |
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Materials and manufacturing |
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F. Science in Personal and Social Perspective |
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| 11. Common Themes |
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Natural resources |
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Systems |
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S&T in local, natiional, and global changes |
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Constancy and change |
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G. History and Nature of Science |
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| 12. Habits of Mind |
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Science as a human endeavor |
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Computation and estimation |
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Historical perspectives |
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Communication skills |
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Activities Video Clips
Video Clips
| Matthew Hsu talks about the Concrete: An Infrastructure Module | ||
 View Youtube video |
Resources
Resources
Fiber-reinforced Concrete
Describes how fiber is used to reinforce concrete. Includes its theory, properties, and uses.
Portland Cement Association
Furnishes information about cement and concrete for a wide variety of infrastructure needs.