Title: Select material for a specific design application.
Course: Technology and Engineering Foundations (18 weeks) (21003-18) > Section: Using Materials as a Technological Resource

Selection should include the following steps:

- Determine the desired application of the material.
- Determine criteria and constraints of the application.
- Identify material properties (e.g., hardness, buoyancy, transparency, density, heat resistance, magnetism, melting point, conductivity, thermal expansion, toxicity).
- Test materials (e.g., three types of metal) for their properties.
- Select the material best suited for the application.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are some methods for testing a material for magnetism? For hardness? For conductivity? For density?
- What materials could be used to conduct electricity? In what products would conductivity be an important property?
- What materials could be used to construct boats, houses, or sweaters? In each case, why would these materials be appropriate for the particular product?