Testing Material Properties
- Conduct an investigation to identify at least five different properties of a material.
- Explain, with evidence, that different materials have their own unique properties.
- Use appropriate vocabulary to describe the properties of materials.
![]() OverviewPlastic, metal, wood, and stone. We encounter many different materials every day. Each object around us is made of a specific material. Why are they not all made from the same material? The answer is that every material has different properties; some are hard and others are soft, some are transparent and others are opaque. For each product that is produced, the material from which it is made determines many of its properties. This is why material testing is so important. These tests allow researchers and engineers to select the appropriate material for each product. In this lesson plan, students will do their own material testing to characterize different materials and to compare their properties with each other. NGSS AlignmentThis lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:
Materials![]()
For each student group of 3:
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Grade Range
1st-2nd
Group Size
3 students
Active Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Area of Science
Materials Science
Key Concepts
Material science, material properties
Credits
Svenja Lohner, PhD, Science Buddies
Styrofoam® is a registered trademark of The Dow Chemical Company.
Learning Objectives
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