Mini Concrete Module

Activities
■ Comparing Different Concrete Formations
■ Testing Properties of Concrete

Design Project
■ Designing a Concrete Roofing Tile

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

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

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.

Physics & Physical Science

Forces
Loads and Stresses
Tensile and Compressive Forces
Energy
Work
Electrical Conductivity

Geology & Earth Science

Rocks and Minerals
Geochemical Cycles
Acid Rain
Earthquakes

Chemistry

Properties of Matter
Mixtures
Chemical and Physical Changes
Chemical Reactions
Bonding

Language Arts

Writing a report
Public speaking

Biology and Life Science

Biological Materials
Environmental Issues

Mathematics

Measuring
Graphing (Making, Reading and Interpreting)
Computing
Averages
Ratios

Technical Education

Designing
Building Materials
Composites
Construction Technology

Math Teaser

Building a Swimming Pool

So you want to build a concrete border around your outdoor swimming pool.

Question

How can the quadratic formula help you find the parameters?

book Solutions and Clues in Concrete Module.


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Standards Alignment

AAAS Benchmark Standards	Activities	NSES Standards	Activities
Grades 9-12	Designs	Grades 9-12	Designs
1. The Nature of Science		A. Science as Inquiry
Scientific inquiry		Ability to do scientific inquiry
The Scientific enterprise		Understanding scientific inquiry
2. The Nature of Mathematics		B. Physical Science
Mathematics, science, and technology		Structure and properties of matter
3. The Nature of Technology		Chemical reactions
Technology and science		Motions and forces
Design and systems		C. Life Sciences
Issues in technology		The interdependence of organisms
4. The Physical Setting		Matter, energy, and organization in living systems
Structure of matter		D. Earth and Space Science
Motion		Energy in the earth system
Forces of nature		Geochemical cycles
5. The Living Environment		E. Science and Technology
Flow of matter and energy		Ability of technological design
8. The Designed World		Understanding science and technology
Materials and manufacturing		F. Science in Personal and Social Perspective
11. Common Themes		Natural resources
Systems		S&T in local, natiional, and global changes
Constancy and change		G. History and Nature of Science
12. Habits of Mind		Science as a human endeavor
Computation and estimation		Historical perspectives
Communication skills