Exploring Smart Materials: From Concept to Creation

Exploring Smart Materials: From Concept to Creation

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to apply your knowledge of smart materials to concept products.

What do you already know about materials that can change their properties?

Introduction to Smart Materials

Smart materials are substances that have properties which can be significantly altered in a controlled fashion by external stimuli.

Interactive Activity: Identifying Smart Materials

Show various examples of smart materials and have students categorize them based on their properties and applications.

Shape Memory Alloys

These materials can 'remember' their original shape and return to it when heated.

Piezoelectric Materials

These materials generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.

Self-Healing Polymers

These materials have the ability to repair damage automatically, extending their lifespan.

Demonstration: Smart Material Properties

Perform a live demonstration showcasing the unique properties of a smart material, such as its ability to change shape or color in response to stimuli.

Design Challenge: Creating with Smart Materials

Task students with brainstorming and sketching a concept product that incorporates smart materials to enhance its functionality.

Group Presentations

Each group presents their concept product and explains how smart materials enhance its performance or user experience.

Reflection and Discussion

Lead a discussion on the potential benefits and challenges of integrating smart materials into consumer products.

Real-World Applications

Explore examples of smart materials in existing products, from self-tinting eyeglasses to shape-shifting architecture.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Summarize the key takeaways from the lesson and encourage students to continue exploring smart materials in their own projects.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.