Materials Engineering Challenge

A material is any solid substance that we use to build or make things. Every object around you is made from one or more materials.

• Natural materials. Found in nature. Wood, clay, and stone come from the Earth.
• Manufactured materials. Made by people. Plastic and glass are examples.
• Metals. Usually strong and shiny. Iron, steel, and aluminum are common metals.

Engineers choose materials based on what the finished object needs to do.

Engineers measure materials using properties. A property tells you something important about how a material behaves.

• Strength. How much weight or force a material can hold without breaking.
• Waterproof. Whether water passes through the material or is stopped by it.
• Flexible. Whether the material bends easily without snapping.
• Weight. How heavy the material is. Light materials are easier to carry.

Engineers do not guess. They follow a process to solve problems with materials.

• Ask. What does the structure need to do? What are the rules?
• Imagine. Think of materials that could work. List your ideas.
• Plan. Choose the best material based on its properties.
• Create. Build a test version using the chosen material.
• Improve. Test it. If something fails, try a different material.

Look around and you can see material choices everywhere.

• Wood frames. House frames are often built from wood because it is strong and easy to cut and join.
• Metal bridges. Steel bridges carry heavy loads because metal has very high strength.
• Plastic pipes. Plastic carries water in homes because it is waterproof and lightweight.
• Clay tiles. Roof tiles made from clay block rain and last for many years.
• Fabric parachutes. Silk or nylon is used for parachutes because it is flexible and catches air.