Testing Materials to Learn About Their Properties

In this lesson, students will develop an understanding that objects and materials can be tested to learn about their properties. Students will help plan and conduct different tests on the materials. Students will be able to explain that when testing materials to learn about their properties, all the materials need to be tested in the same way.

Students test a piece of aluminum foil, plastic from a zip-closing plastic bag, and copier paper to learn about some of their properties. Students conduct tests on the materials and then help design a strength test. The point is stressed that for a good, fair test each material needs to be tested in the same way. A simulation is shown that emphasizes the point that the different properties of materials are good for different uses.