About this STEM integrated learning scenario
Throughout history, every time period has been marked by some material. In this lesson, students will learn about graphene – a material that is rightly called miraculous 21st Century Material.
Graphene is a material with many excellent properties – it is the only material in 2 dimensions, with a thickness of only one atom. It is made of carbon atoms that are extremely tightly bonded, which makes graphene more solid and stable even than diamond, but at the same time very flexible so it can be bent and shaped as desired. In addition, it is a good conductor of heat and electricity and transmits light. All of this points to how graphene really is the material of the future.
In this lesson, students will learn about the chemical and physical properties of graphene, and using ICT tools will draw a single layer of graphene which they will produce using the 3D printer. At the end of the lesson, they will be introduced to the ideas of using graphene in everyday life in the future (e.g. wearable flexible electronics that can be used in healthcare, security, sports, or fashion).
Author(s): Barbara Mandušić, Nikolina Bubica, Milana Gujinović
Subject(s): Chemistry, Physics, ICT, English
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Related real-life questions
This learning scenario explores the following real-life questions:
- While implementing this learning scenario, we aspire to make students familiar with the material of graphene, in order to introduce this material as miraculous 2D material
- Students will be introduced to graphite and its use in everyday life (pencils, lubricants)
- As students will be familiar with the chemical structure of graphite, they will be able to answer how does a pencil leave its mark on the paper and why does it conduct electricity
- Students will be able to answer what is a touch screen made of.
Related STEM Careers
With this learning scenario, students will have the opportunity to work with activities and materials that will introduce them to several potential STEM career paths, including:
- 3D printing engineer
- Material science engineer
You can find related STEM jobs profiles on the STE(A)M IT repository:
CC BY: this learning scenario is licenced under the Creative Commons license. This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, if they credit you for the original creation. This is the most accommodating of licenses offered. Recommended for maximum dissemination and use of licensed materials.
