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Materials with High Elasticity – Applications and Properties

Project "Innovations in VET education" is co-financed by the European Union

Introduction to the Web Quest Topic
Information for the Teacher

Introduction to the Web Quest Topic

Materials with High Elasticity – Applications and Properties

Materials with high elasticity, also known as elastomers, are substances that can undergo large mechanical deformations without permanent damage. Their unique properties make them extremely versatile, and they find applications in various industries, from automotive to medicine.

Properties of Materials with High Elasticity:

Elasticity: The most important characteristic of elastomers is their ability to stretch and return to their original shape. This makes them ideal for applications where large deformations are required.

Resistance to Weather Conditions: Many elastomers are resistant to UV radiation, ozone, and water, making them ideal for outdoor applications.

Electrical Insulation: Some elastic materials, such as silicones, are excellent insulators, making them suitable for electronic applications.

Shock Absorption: These materials are often used in applications that require energy absorption, such as in shock absorbers or suspension components.

Low Density: Many elastomers are lightweight, which helps reduce the mass of the final product.

Applications of Materials with High Elasticity

Automotive: Elastomers are widely used in the production of seals, tires, suspension elements, and shock absorbers. Their elasticity and durability are crucial for vehicle safety and performance.

Construction: Elastomers are used in building seals, insulation, and vibration isolation components.

Medicine: High-elasticity materials, such as silicones, are used in the production of prosthetics, implants, and various medical devices due to their biocompatibility and elasticity.

Electronics: Elastomers are used as insulating materials and components in flexible printed circuits.

Textiles: In the textile industry, elastic materials are used in sportswear, underwear, and other products where comfort and mobility are key.

Examples of Materials with High Elasticity and Their Descriptions:

Silicone: Silicones are silicon-based polymers known for their high elasticity, resistance to extreme temperatures, and chemical resistance. They come in various forms, from liquids to solids, and are biocompatible, making them ideal for medical applications.

Applications: Silicones are widely used in medicine (e.g., implants), electronics (as insulating materials), construction (as sealants), and cosmetics.

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE): TPEs are materials that combine the properties of elastomers and thermoplastics. They are easy to process, flexible, and resistant to various chemicals. TPEs can be molded and processed like plastics, making them useful in various applications.

Applications: Used in the production of toys, seals, footwear, and in the automotive industry for parts requiring flexibility.

Polyurethane: Polyurethane is a material that can be used in various forms, from flexible foams to rigid materials. Its elastic properties and resistance to wear make it a versatile material.

Applications: Polyurethane is commonly used in mattress production, cushions, footwear, and automotive interior parts, as well as insulation.

Rubber: Natural rubber, in particular, is a material known for its high elasticity and tensile strength. It is resistant to various chemicals and is an excellent electrical insulator.

Applications: Rubber is widely used in tire production, seals, flexible cables, and various machine components.

Composite Materials:

Composite materials are made up of two or more components that, when combined, result in properties that the individual components do not have. They often combine elasticity and lightness with high strength.

Applications: Used in the aerospace, construction, automotive, and sports industries, where high mechanical resistance is required while maintaining low weight.

Information for the Teacher

The Web Quest is designed for students of vocational schools, particularly those specializing in technical and engineering fields. Its aim is to introduce students to materials with high elasticity, their properties, and applications in various industries.

Students will work in groups, with each group responsible for preparing a detailed presentation on a selected high-elasticity material. Each presentation will include various elements, such as the material's detailed characteristics, its unique properties, and its applications in different sectors, such as industry, medicine, and engineering. Students will also examine the conditions under which the material performs best, as well as its potential limitations and challenges that may arise during its use.

Through the completion of the Web Quest, students will:

• Understand the properties of materials with high elasticity.

• Become familiar with the various applications of these materials in industry and daily life.

• Understand the advantages and disadvantages of materials with high elasticity compared to other types of materials.

• Develop research and analytical skills, as well as teamwork abilities.

Students will work both individually, gathering information, and in groups, creating presentations on a particular material. This process promotes the development of interpersonal skills and information analysis. Work will be conducted under time pressure, further preparing students for future professional challenges.

Suggested Time for Completion:

Students will work on the project for 12 class hours.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Level of topic coverage (maximum grade: 5, exceeding this knowledge: grade 6),

• Aesthetic quality of the presentation and the way information is presented,

• Student engagement and teamwork skills.

Evaluation:

• The teacher will help students analyze the content together with them until they understand it fully. The teacher will provide guidance, advice, and explanations, not ready solutions. This method will be a good way to introduce students to independent action and creative thinking.

• The teacher should thoroughly analyze the content with the students until they fully understand it. The teacher should primarily offer help, advice, and explanations, not ready solutions. This method will encourage independent action and creative thinking.

• Group division can be done according to various criteria, such as cognitive abilities, skills, or interests, in order to evenly distribute the effort across the groups.

• The teacher may assist students while they work in groups by asking guiding questions. It is important to remember that they are learning a new way of working (a process).

• The teacher should provide students with specific information about how their achievements will be evaluated, both during the group work and when summarizing results.

• The project completion time should be adjusted to the students' abilities. It is not imposed in advance. The suggested time frames for each phase of the process should be treated as guidelines.

Task

Students will be divided into four groups, each responsible for preparing a presentation on a specific high-elasticity material. The topics assigned to the groups are as follows:

Group 1: Elastomers

This group will focus on materials with high elasticity and the ability to stretch. Students will explore the properties of elastomers, such as their resistance to temperature changes and chemicals, and their applications in the automotive, construction, and medical industries.

Group 2: Composite Materials

This group will focus on materials made from two or more different components that, when combined, result in a material with better properties than the individual components. Students will explore the applications of composites in the aerospace, sports, and construction industries, as well as discuss their advantages, such as lightness and durability.

Group 3: Smart Materials

This group will focus on materials that respond to external stimuli, such as temperature, pressure, or pH. Students will analyze how smart materials can be used in medical applications, robotics, and engineering. They will understand how these materials can improve the functionality of products.

Group 4: Elastic Polymers

This group will focus on polymers that maintain elasticity after proper processing. Students will study the applications of such materials in everyday products like footwear, clothing, and biomedical technology.

During the presentation, one member of the group will take on the role of the expert, presenting the group's findings, while the rest of the students will act as listeners. The listeners will ask questions, aiming to start a discussion on the application and properties of the discussed material. This format not only aids knowledge acquisition but also helps develop communication and critical thinking skills.

Why Work in Groups?

Each group will be responsible for a different type of material, which will allow students to broaden their knowledge of various high-elasticity materials. This will enable them to delve into the specifics of each material’s function and application, enriching their understanding. Such a division will allow students to compare different material types, understand their pros and cons, and explore their applications in different contexts.

Stage 1: Introduction to the Task

• In the first part of the lesson, the teacher will introduce the definition and characteristics of these materials, highlighting their exceptional properties that enable their use in various industries such as automotive, medicine, construction, and electronics.

• The teacher will present specific examples of material applications so that students can see their practical value and impact on technological development.

• In this part, the teacher will also provide students with sources of information, such as scientific articles, industry publications, and websites, which will be helpful in their further work on the task.

Stage 2: Working on Presentations

• Students will be divided into groups and tasked with gathering information about the physical and chemical properties of the assigned material, its production processes, and its applications in various industries.

• The teacher will assist students in this process, providing guidance on key issues to include in the presentations.

• Students will work both individually and in groups, which will help them develop research skills and teamwork.

Stage 3: Presentation and Discussion

• Each group will present its work to the class.

• Presentations should be well-organized to clearly present the gathered information about the chosen material.

• Each group should also prepare for the discussion that will follow the presentation.

• The teacher will encourage other students to ask questions and share their opinions, which will allow for deeper understanding of the topics discussed and enable the exchange of ideas and thoughts.

Stage 4: Evaluation

• At the end of the project, the teacher will conduct an evaluation to assess the quality of the presentations and group collaboration.

• Both the content and the manner of presenting the information, as well as the engagement of all group members, will be evaluated.

• The teacher will provide feedback on the strengths of each presentation and areas for improvement, which will help develop presentation and analytical skills.

Stages of Work and Time

2h

Stage 1

4h

Stage 2

4h

Stage 3

2h

Stage 4

Points	2	3	4
Content Quality	Work is weak in terms of content. Missing elements.	Work is good in terms of content. Minor or no errors.	Work is excellent in terms of content. Correct, engaging information.
Presentation of Work	• Presentation is unclear, superficial, and not engaging. • Lack of participation in discussion.	• Presentation is clear, good, and interesting. • The student participates in discussions but with limited input.	• Presentation is attractive, thorough, and engaging. • The student actively participates in discussions and contributes significantly.
Aesthetic Impressions	• Work is unclear, untidy, and poorly executed. • Poor arrangement of elements on the page.	• Work is clear, neat, and carefully done. • Good arrangement of elements on the page.	• Work is aesthetically pleasing, clear, and highly polished. It stands out visually. • Excellent arrangement of elements on the page.
Group Work	Lack of involvement of all group members in work and creative collaboration.	Good involvement of all group members. Satisfactory collaboration skills.	Full engagement of all group members. Excellent cooperation and motivation within the group.

Teacher's Guide

1. Before starting the WebQuest, the teacher should familiarize themselves with its content and assess whether it is necessary to supplement the students' baseline knowledge for smooth completion.

2. The teacher should thoroughly review the WebQuest content with the students to ensure they understand the subject.

3. Before assigning the WebQuest for completion, the teacher should familiarize themselves with the sources and, if necessary, select, limit, or expand them with additional (current) links.

4. The group division can be done according to various criteria, e.g., based on the students' cognitive abilities, skills, interests, or predispositions, to evenly distribute the workload across the groups.

5. The time for completing the WebQuest should be tailored to the students' abilities. It is not predetermined. It should be set individually based on the abilities of the specific student group.

6. The teacher should assist at every stage of the WebQuest, consulting the progress/work quality.

7. Students should be provided with access to a computer and the internet; it is recommended to work with large-screen computers (to create a group work atmosphere).

8. It is recommended to implement the WebQuest among students in other technical/vocational educational profiles than the topic of this WebQuest. This allows students to broaden their knowledge in other technical/vocational fields and grow in a new area.

9. In drawing conclusions from the completed WebQuest, the teacher should particularly focus on analyzing soft skills (e.g., teamwork, negotiation, cooperation, the ability to present a position) acquired by each student participating in the WebQuest, emphasizing that these skills will be very useful in their future professional careers (this can also be part of an additional evaluation).

10. It is recommended to disseminate the results/products achieved by students through the WebQuest within the educational institution as "best practices," thus encouraging other students/teachers to use this innovative teaching method.

Materials with High Elasticity – Applications and Properties

Project "Innovations in VET education" is co-financed by the European Union

Introduction to the Web Quest Topic

Information for the Teacher

Task

Stage 1: Introduction to the Task

Stage 2: Working on Presentations

Stage 3: Presentation and Discussion

Stage 4: Evaluation

Stages of Work and Time

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Sources

Evaluation

EVALUATION

CONCLUSIONS

Teacher's Guide