PCA Library: K-12 Lesson Plans: K-12 Lesson Plans

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ELEMENTARY (K-4)

Earth Rocks! The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the basic elements of our Earth's crust: rocks, soils and minerals. They learn how we categorize rocks, soils and minerals and how they are literally the foundation for our civilization. Students also explore how engineers use rocks, soils and minerals to create the buildings, roads, vehicles, electronics, chemicals, and other objects we use to enhance our lives. This engineering curriculum aligns to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Engineering for the Three Little Pigs The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate the importance of rocks, soils and minerals in engineering and how using the right material for the right job is important. The students build three different sand castles and test them for strength and resistance to weathering. Then, they discuss how the buildings are different and what engineers need to think about when using rocks, soils and minerals for construction. This engineering curriculum aligns to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

MIDDLE SCHOOL (5-8)

PCA developed lesson plans:

Lesson 1: The Uses of Concrete Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Material Science, Earth Science Skills: Classification, identification, discussion, listing, application, observation Duration: 45 minutes Group Size: Any Setting: Classroom Key Vocabulary: Cement, concrete

Lesson 1 Video: A New Stone Age (11 min)

Lesson 2: What are the Parts of Concrete? Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Science Skills: Classification, identification, Comparing similarities and differences, small group work, observation Duration: 45 minutes Setting: Indoors Key Vocabulary: Cement, concrete, aggregate, sieve
Lesson 3: A Further Look at the Content of Concrete Lesson 3: A Further Look at the Content of Concrete Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Science Skills: Proportions, evaluation, listing, observation, reading, reporting Duration: 45 minutes with an overnight break Setting: Laboratory or classroom Key Vocabulary: Aggregate, paste, volume, Mortar, particles
Lesson 4: A Collection of Aggregates Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Science Skills: Comparing, similarities and differences, description, observation small group work Duration: 45 minutes Setting: Laboratory or classroom Key Vocabulary: Aggregate, volume
Lesson 5: So, You Think Concrete Dries Out? Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Science Skills: Description, proportioning, observation, small group work Duration: 2 class sessions Setting: Laboratory or classroom Key Vocabulary: Hydration, mass, evaporation, tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, tetracalcium aluminoferrite, gypsum

Other lesson plans:

Making "Magic" Sidewalks of Pervious Pavement Students use everyday building materials—sand, pea gravel, cement and water—to create and test pervious pavement. They learn what materials make up a traditional, impervious concrete mix and how pervious pavement mixes differ. Groups are challenged to create their own pervious pavement mixes, experimenting with material ratios to evaluate how infiltration rates change with different mix combinations. This engineering curriculum aligns to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Strength of Materials Students learn about the variety of materials used by engineers in the design and construction of modern bridges. They also find out about the material properties important to bridge construction and consider the advantages and disadvantages of steel and concrete as common bridge-building materials to handle compressive and tensile forces. This engineering curriculum aligns to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

HIGH SCHOOL (9-12)

PCA developed lesson plans:

Lesson 1: The Uses of Concrete Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Material Science, Earth Science Skills: Classification, identification, discussion, listing, application, observation Duration: 45 minutes Group Size: Any Setting: Classroom Key Vocabulary: Cement, concrete

Lesson 1 Video: A New Stone Age (1992, 11 min)

Lesson 2: What are the Parts of Concrete? Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Science Skills: Classification, identification, Comparing similarities and differences, small group work, observation Duration: 45 minutes Setting: Indoors Key Vocabulary: Cement, concrete, aggregate, sieve
Lesson 3: A Further Look at the Content of Concrete Lesson 3: A Further Look at the Content of Concrete Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Science Skills: Proportions, evaluation, listing, observation, reading, reporting Duration: 45 minutes with an overnight break Setting: Laboratory or classroom Key Vocabulary: Aggregate, paste, volume, Mortar, particles
Lesson 4: A Collection of Aggregates Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Science Skills: Comparing, similarities and differences, description, observation small group work Duration: 45 minutes Setting: Laboratory or classroom Key Vocabulary: Aggregate, volume
Lesson 5: So, You Think Concrete Dries Out? Age: Grades 7-12 Subjects: Science Skills: Description, proportioning, observation, small group work Duration: 2 class sessions Setting: Laboratory or classroom Key Vocabulary: Hydration, mass, evaporation, tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, tetracalcium aluminoferrite, gypsum

Other lesson plans:

The Basic Mix: A General Teacher's Guide for Concrete Preparation The Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop (MAST) provides this guide for teachers on preparing concrete. Some tips are included along with a graphic and a link to a video clip on making concrete.
Make and Take Experiment The Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop (MAST) provides this experiment on concrete in construction. The experiment focuses on developing an understanding of concrete as a construction material. Concrete products will be designed and constructed. Students will use two different sized containers that fit concentrically inside one another to create an enlarged crucible or planter box shape. Concrete will then be poured into that container and the concrete part will be allowed to cure. No testing will be done with this part, it is simply an exercise used to practice the preparation and execution of making concrete structures. The lesson includes a step-by-step explanation of the laboratory procedure, teacher notes, and a link to a video clip. The exercise should take about 45 minutes of class time.
UIUC MAST Module on Concrete Module Objective: Students will learn about cement hydration, material properties, and making concrete. This module is to be used as a curriculum aide by high school science teachers who would like to introduce their students to concepts of Materials Science and Technology. Developed and revised during the Materials Technology Workshop held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign during 1993-95.
What's the Matter: An Introduction to the Physical Properties of Matter The Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop (MAST) provides this activity as an introduction to the physical properties of matter. The objective of this laboratory is to identify different classes of matter based on their physical properties, specifically the ingredients of concrete. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the physical properties of concrete. The different materials used in concrete will be examined for magnetic properties, color odor, relative particle size, and solubility. The lesson should require about 45-50 minutes of class time to complete.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Hot and Cold pHun Experiment: Cement Hydration and pH Evolution During Curing The Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop (MAST) provides this lesson plan for students learning about concrete. The class will "calculate the amount of water that reacts during hydration when cement becomes concrete under differing curing temperatures and observe the pH change that occurs in the curing process." The procedure is designed to be spread across three class days. Discussion questions and teacher notes are included as well as a chart for data input.
Stress and Strain Experiment The Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop (MAST) provides this experiment as an introduction to stress and strain. The lesson allows students the opportunity to "design and make a concrete cylinder and beam that can withstand the greatest applied load." The concepts of comprehensive and tensile stress are incorporated into the lesson plan. Links to video clips, diagrams, and discussion questions are included. The exercise should take about 90 minutes of class time.
What's the Matter: An Introduction to the Physical Properties of Matter The Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop (MAST) provides this activity as an introduction to the physical properties of matter. The objective of this laboratory is to identify different classes of matter based on their physical properties, specifically the ingredients of concrete. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the physical properties of concrete. The different materials used in concrete will be examined for magnetic properties, color odor, relative particle size, and solubility. The lesson should require about 45-50 minutes of class time to complete.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS / TEACHING AIDS

A New Stone Age : the Making of Portland Cement (1992)
PCA booklet on the basics of how cement works.

Surfactants in aqueous solutions by Jean-Louis Salager, Universidad de Los Andes (1994)
Teaching aid in surfactant science & engineering.
Lesson 1 Video: A New Stone Age (11 min)

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