Title: Select the best material for a specific design application.
Course: Technology Foundations (21003-36) > Section: Using Materials as a Technological Resource

Selection should include the following steps:

- Determine the desired application of the material.
- 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 the following products: boat, house, sweater? In each case, why would these materials be appropriate for the particular product?