Contextualization

With the continuous advancement of science and technology, new materials are being developed and innovative technologies emerge every day. From lighter and stronger metals to biodegradable materials, the science of materials has opened a window to a future where the limit is imagination. At the same time, the technological revolution, with the growing role of automation and computerization, has been changing the way we live and work.

This project aims to provide you with an interactive and collaborative learning experience, seeking not only to familiarize you with some of these new materials and technologies, but also to discuss their impacts on our daily lives, economy, culture, and society.

Introduction

Materials science is an interdisciplinary field involving the discovery and design of new materials. This science studies the relationship between the structure of materials at the molecular or atomic level, their macroscopic properties, and ways to manipulate them. Advances in this area have provided us with materials with incredible properties: superconductors, metamaterials, biomaterials, nanomaterials, and many others.

On the other hand, technology is increasingly integrated into our lives, and its evolution has been accelerated by processes of automation and computerization. Robotics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and other emerging technologies are redefining the world we live in.

Together, these new materials and technologies have the potential to make significant changes in our lives, creating new opportunities, challenges, and many discussion points.

Practical Activity: "Inventing the Future: A Critical View on New Materials and Technologies"

Project Objectives

1. Develop a basic understanding of new materials and technologies.
2. Understand the impact of these materials and technologies on society.
3. Promote collaboration, proactivity, and critical thinking among students.
4. Produce a collective final report that discusses the topic and presents their findings.

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members, and each group must select a new material or technology of interest. Students will research deeply about the chosen material or technology, understand its properties, uses, advantages, and disadvantages. In addition, students will need to discuss how society could be affected by the widespread use of this material or technology. Finally, students must prepare a presentation for the rest of the class, sharing what they have learned.

Required Materials

1. Internet access for research
2. Notebook or paper for notes and drawings
3. Presentation software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Prezi

Step by Step

1. Selecting the Topic: Each group must select a new material or technology of interest that will be the focus of their project. This choice should be made considering the relevance of the topic and its applicability.

2. Researching: Students should use the internet, books, and any other reliable sources to research their topic. They should focus on understanding the science behind the material or technology, how it is produced, what its main uses are, advantages, and disadvantages.

3. Discussing Social Impacts: Students need to discuss and analyze how the widespread use of the chosen material or technology could impact society. Could there be economic implications? Could there be environmental issues? How could this change our daily lives?

4. Preparing the Presentation: Using a presentation software of their choice, prepare a slide deck for their presentation. The presentation needs to be structured and clear, in order to convey the main research findings efficiently.

5. Presenting: Present what they have learned to the rest of the class. Be creative in the presentation, using drawings, diagrams, videos, or any other relevant tool.

Final Product and Deliverables

The final output will be an oral presentation, accompanied by a slide presentation and a report on the chosen new material or technology. The report should be presented in the following format:

1. Introduction: Introduce the chosen material or technology, discuss its relevance and the project's objective.
2. Development: In this section, students should discuss in detail the material or technology, explain the theory behind the topic, explain how they conducted the research, and discuss the results obtained.
3. Conclusion: Students should summarize their main points, discuss what they have learned, and draw conclusions from the project.
4. Bibliography: List all sources used during the project.

The oral presentation and the written report should complement each other, providing a broad and detailed view of the chosen topic.