NGSS Cross-Cutting Concepts
Find free, ready-to-teach resources aligned to SF-H1. Designed with teachers and artists, in partnership with STEM researchers.
SF-H1 | Cross-Cutting Concepts
Investigating or designing new systems or structures requires a detailed examination of the properties of different materials, the structures of different components, and connections of components to reveal its function and/or solve a problem.
Created with purpose: see how resources connect to this standard.
Showing 2 of 2 units
The Science of Craft: Building New Materials with Old Techniques
STEM is older and more expansive than you might imagine. Crafted materials, like knit sweaters and woven baskets, were our ancestors’ solutions to everyday problems. In this lesson, we learn the geometry and physics of traditional crafts, and explore how these technologies help us engineer new solutions for the future!
Alignment summary( Target)
Lesson 1
Students evaluate the starting structures of crafted materials to understand how these materials can be used to weave, knit, or bead (craft) new materials with new physical properties (baskets, sweaters, beaded robots).
Included resources
3 lessons and 5 supporting media items.
Lesson 2
Supporting videos
Electric Crystals: Exploring how crystal symmetry can power everyday life
Crystals aren't magic, but they are amazing! In this student-driven, lecture-free lesson, students will do card sorts, build hands-on models, solve engineering design puzzles, and more! The whole experience is connected through a beautifully crafted comic and supporting videos.
Alignment summary( Connected)
Lesson 4
Through discussions of amorphous solids and crystals with and without the piezoelectric effect, students envision uses for each type of material based on their properties.
Included resources
4 lessons and 3 supporting media items.
Lesson 1