Optional Lesson: You Can Do Anything With Duct
Tape
Suggested Time: 60
minutes
Overview
Students will pick major construction projects to test the saying “You
can do anything with duct tape.” Working in teams, students will build
and test objects, then decide whether the saying is true or false.
Finally, they will see examples of amazing things that have been built
or done with duct tape, and consider the physical and chemical
properties of this versatile adhesive.
Vocabulary
- Duct Tape
-
Elasticity
-
Adhesive
-
Mesh
-
Rubber
-
Polyethylene
Objectives
- Students will learn about the composition of duct tape, the source of
its composite materials, and the sustainable rubber industry.
-
Students will consider the physical properties that make duct tape so
versatile.
Next Generation Science
Standards
-
MS-PS-1, MS-PS-4. Developing and Using Models.
-
MS-PS1-3. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information.
-
ETS1.A, B, and C. Defining and Delimiting Design Problems, Developing
Possible Solutions, and Optimizing the Design Solution.
-
PS1A. Structures and Properties of Matter.
Required Project
Materials
- Large quantities of duct tape
-
Various found objects that might be found on an island, such as sticks
and large leaves
-
World map
Multimedia Resources
- For inspiration: “Duct Tape Island.” Mythbusters. Episode
179. Air Date Mar 25 2012.
-
“How is Duct Tape Made?” Sally Tan. Yale Scientific.
http://www.yalescientific.org/ 2008/11/how-is-duct-tape-made/
-
“Top Ten Uses For Duct Tape.” Science Channel.
http://www.sciencechannel.com/
science-technology/10-uses-for-duct-tape.htm
-
“Adhesive Tape: Tiny Bits of Tacky Tape Hold Together Modern Life.”
Rachel Petkewich. Chemical and Engineering News (85:42). Issue
Date Oct 15 2007. http://
cen.acs.org/articles/85/i42/Adhesive-Tape.html
-
“Rubber Tree.” Rainforest Action Network.
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/kids/
species-profiles/rubber-tree
-
“The Elastic Tree.” DuckODuck Productions. Youtube video (5.21)
http://youtu.be/ zRWxPMj9OXY
Optional Multimedia
Resources
Before the Lesson/ Background
Information
- Acquire sticks, palm leaves, and other materials that might be found
on an island. Alternatively, select an outdoor space where students
can find useful materials.
-
List locations where rubber is farmed.
The Lesson
Part 1: Introduction (5
mins)
- This is an excellent outdoor activity. If possible, teach the class in
an outdoor location.
-
Ask the students to think of wacky things duct tape can do as well as
things it can’t do.
-
Separate the class into three teams. Let them know that they are all
stranded on an island with no other land in sight and they have to
come up with ways to survive.
Part 2: Duct Tape Designers (30
mins)
- Give each team a different object to design, such as: a small boat
that can carry an object and float; a small shelter or piece of
furniture; and clothing. These items should be models. In other words,
they will be smaller than the actual item would be, but have the same
shape and properties as a life-size item.
-
Each team should spend a few minutes planning how they are going to
build the item and assign tasks to team members.
-
Teams may use other materials in their constructions to provide solid
structure, but duct tape must be a key element of the item.
Part 3: Duct Tape Trial (25
mins)
- Now it’s time to test the wonders of duct tape! Have the student teams
test each other’s objects. Those testing the boat model should try to
float it on water, then add objects to see how much weight it can
hold. The structure or furniture builders should also test their
models with weight and forces resembling the elements. Clothing should
be tested for durability. Let the students have fun with this part,
but instruct them to be fair to each other’s objects…
-
Use the articles to discuss the properties of duct tape, including how
it’s made. Interactively, work with the students to identify the
important physical properties of duct tape.
-
Ask the students to identify the natural resources that are used to
make duct tape. Introduce students to the rubber tree using the
student-made video, “The Elastic Tree”, and information from the
Rainforest Action Network. Make sure and work with the students to
identify locations on the world map where rubber is produced.
Homework Due Next Class
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