http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_touch_and_discover/touch_and_discover.xmlactivitytext/xmlCenter for Engineering Educational Outreach, categorizationhuman-madematerialsnaturalobservation skillsphysical characteristicssensorysortingtouchcategorizecharacteristic

Student teams identify and categorize various objects using their senses of touch and sight. One student chooses five objects for his/her blindfolded partner to describe and identify based solely on touch. Then they switch. Both students record their observations, describing the objects as: human-made or natural, living or non-living, as well as any other physical/sensory characteristics. Students become familiar with different classification systems and sharpen their vocabulary to describe the physical characteristics of different objects. They learn why engineers have a need to categorize materials.

Material scientists and engineers use a complex system of categorization and naming based on properties of materials. Physical properties can be seen, while chemical properties are more difficult to understand. Knowing the properties and characteristics of materials helps engineers understand and choose suitable materials for products and projects. Build observation skills by using tactile perception to describe and distinguish objects. How to categorize and sort objects in a logical fashion.230TeachEngineering.orghttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_touch_and_discover/activity_worksheet.dochttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_touch_and_discover/activity_worksheet.pdfhttp://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/sci/cecsci/cecsci153.htmlS10138ADMassachusettsScience1.1 Identify and describe characteristics of natural materials (e.g., wood, cotton, fur, wool) and human-made materials (e.g., plastic, Styrofoam).-12S101838CMassachusettsScience1.2 Identify and explain some possible uses for natural materials (e.g., wood, cotton, fur, wool) and human-made materials (e.g., plastic, Styrofoam).-12S1023ED6MassachusettsScience2. Differentiate between living and nonliving things. Group both living and nonliving things according to the characteristics that they share.-12S102122BMassachusettsScience6. Recognize that people and other animals interact with the environment through their senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.-12S100FC1DMassachusettsScience1. Sort objects by observable properties such as size, shape, color, weight, and texture.-12S11416E5International_Technology_and_Engineering_Educators_AssociationTechnologyD. Different materials are used in making things. 02S11416EBInternational_Technology_and_Engineering_Educators_AssociationTechnologyJ. Materials have many different properties. 35United StatesCopyright 2012 - Center for Engineering Educational Outreach, Tufts Universityhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-10-251Teacher