How Can We Prevent the Corrosion Crisis?
The shipwreck of Cabo Santa Maria in Boa Vista, Cape Verde. The ship ran aground in 1968.Copyright Ximonic 2010, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wreck_of_Cabo_de_Santa_Maria,_2010_December_-_4.jpg
This lesson is meant to introduce students to corrosion and engineering techniques that help prevent corrosion.
To launch the lesson, students are given a few samples of nails for a mini-activity. Different types of nails are placed in multiple water solutions (salt water vs. tap water) over specified periods of time (2 weeks, 1 week, etc.) so that students can see a variety of outcomes. Without being told about those conditions, students have a discussion in small groups to record their observations, explanations, and questions.
Students learn about the negative impact that corrosion can have on human-made structures such as bridges, boats, and cars. They read an article and watch a short video to learn about what corrosion is and why it occurs. During a class discussion with guided notes, students are given examples and share their own experiences of how corrosion affects multiple areas of everyday life. They also discuss how and why industries and individuals take steps to prevent corrosion from occurring.
Corrosion has an adverse effect on many industries by lowering the shelf life of various metal products. With further research and intentional planning, engineers can design solutions to prevent corrosion to prolong the life of different metals and their applications. Additionally, while we know why corrosion occurs, engineers must apply their understanding of this process to find the most cost-effective methods to prevent corrosion.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain corrosion in their own words.
- Explain why some metals rust or oxidize.
- Provide examples of corrosion and corrosion prevention in everyday life.