How do synthetic materials impact society?
Museum archaeologists and educators lead students through this phenomenon-based investigation to identify and explain the difference between natural materials and synthetic materials. Students use early ceramics as a case study to evaluate how this early synthetic material impacted the lives of people who used them.
SECTION 1: WARM-UP
What is a synthetic material?
(20 minutes)SECTION 2: GATHER & ANALYZE
What was the form and function of the object this sherd came from?
(60 minutes)SECTION 3: INTERPRET
How do ceramics compare to other tools that are not synthetic?
(50 minutes)SECTION 4: COMMUNICATE
How did ceramics impact the lives of people who first invented them and how has that impacted society today?
(40 minutes) Total Estimated Time: 2-3 class periods, 170 minutes
Standards Alignment: Utah U.S. I Standard 1.1, Utah SEED standard 8.1.4, NGSS PS1.A, as well
as, DOK levels 1-4 and ELA Common Core Standards.
Key Support Materials
Launch Investigation
Support Materials
Student Access Code