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Amy Nathan is in the air again, but this time she's exploring the way back down! |
Social Studies
Explore women’s role in war
This Minute invites readers to explore the role of women in the military. What was special about WWII that allowed women to participate to the degree that WASP did? What limitations were placed on women as we entered the war, and how did women’s roles change as a result of that war?
Explore supply chain economics
Author Nathan tells the reader that WWII made it impossible to obtain silk for parachutes. Silkworms are native to China. What does that mean in terms of manufacturing and eventually using (consuming) silk products? Have your student take a geographical look at the origin of the items they use and wear every day. Where do these things come from? If they are not from local sources, what problems could occur that might make it more difficult to obtain these products? What is the cost of using local, national or global goods? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these choices?
STEM
Explore nature-inspired design
Nature has inspired all kinds of things. With silk, human realized at some point that the cocoons they formed could be unwound and used as threads in fibers. Have students investigate other things that come from, or are inspired by, the way animals behave. Take them on a field trip (actual or virtual) to do some nature observation of their own, and then ask them to take inspiration to design or create something new.
Explore materials - form and function
Silk, cotton and wool are all “natural” materials that are derived from nature. Nylon and polyester are not. Have students investigate the similarities and differences between natural and synthetic materials. What are the pros and cons of each? What situations would necessitate making a choice between one or the other? What characteristics are desirable in fabrics? Does the answer depend on the use?
Explore aerodynamics
How does a parachute works? Have your students experiment with the making and testing of mini-parachutes. What do they need to figure out to make it all work?
Research Skills
Explore tracing supply chains
Have your students explore Planet Money Makes a T-Shirt and then devise strategies to trace product origins using the internet.
Explore women’s role in war
This Minute invites readers to explore the role of women in the military. What was special about WWII that allowed women to participate to the degree that WASP did? What limitations were placed on women as we entered the war, and how did women’s roles change as a result of that war?
Explore supply chain economics
Author Nathan tells the reader that WWII made it impossible to obtain silk for parachutes. Silkworms are native to China. What does that mean in terms of manufacturing and eventually using (consuming) silk products? Have your student take a geographical look at the origin of the items they use and wear every day. Where do these things come from? If they are not from local sources, what problems could occur that might make it more difficult to obtain these products? What is the cost of using local, national or global goods? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these choices?
STEM
Explore nature-inspired design
Nature has inspired all kinds of things. With silk, human realized at some point that the cocoons they formed could be unwound and used as threads in fibers. Have students investigate other things that come from, or are inspired by, the way animals behave. Take them on a field trip (actual or virtual) to do some nature observation of their own, and then ask them to take inspiration to design or create something new.
Explore materials - form and function
Silk, cotton and wool are all “natural” materials that are derived from nature. Nylon and polyester are not. Have students investigate the similarities and differences between natural and synthetic materials. What are the pros and cons of each? What situations would necessitate making a choice between one or the other? What characteristics are desirable in fabrics? Does the answer depend on the use?
Explore aerodynamics
How does a parachute works? Have your students experiment with the making and testing of mini-parachutes. What do they need to figure out to make it all work?
Research Skills
Explore tracing supply chains
Have your students explore Planet Money Makes a T-Shirt and then devise strategies to trace product origins using the internet.
© Karen Sterling, 2018 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission
