STAGING
Get a free trial until June 30, 2026!
New members get full access to our science units, hands-on activities, mini-lessons, & more!

New members get a full, free trial through June 2026!
Back > Share
What materials might be invented in the future?
Material Magic Unit | Lesson 4 of 6
Back > Share

What materials might be invented in the future?

Material Magic Unit | Lesson 4 of 6
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
Video trouble?

DISCUSS:

Imagine you were a scientist who got to make new materials. What would you try to invent?

Video trouble?

DISCUSS:

What kinds of things would you want to invent with materials like these?

glass_superconductor

Video trouble?

Bouncy Glass Invention Show & Tell

After everyone creates an invention, your teacher will choose a few students to present their inventions. After each invention is presented, discuss:

1) What is one thing you really like about this invention?

2) Can you think of one thing that would improve this invention?

Slide Image
Anchor Connection Discuss. Look at the "Wonder" column of your class See-Think-Wonder chart. Have any questions been answered by the past lesson?
Step
01/11
In the past lesson, you thought about an invention that would use bouncy, see-through glass. Discuss. What were some of your inventions?
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Step
02/11
Discuss. This person in the foundry is wearing something that is see-through. Discuss. What is it? Why is it see-through?
Slide Image
Step
03/11
Her face shield is see-through. It has to stop things from hitting her face and eyes. But she still needs to be able to see what she is doing.
Slide Image
Step
04/11
The word for things that are see-through is transparent. If you look closely, you can see bricks through the transparent face shield.
Slide Image
Step
05/11
These are safety glasses. They are made of the same type of material as a face shield. They are on a piece of wood. Let’s test them to see how they work.
Step
06/11
In this video, two little pieces of metal are going to be thrown at the safety glasses. You will see it at full speed, and then in slow motion. Click play and watch closely!
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Step
07/11
Safety glasses and face shields are made of special plastic. It is transparent like glass, but it doesn’t shatter like glass. It is almost like a bouncy glass. It can keep your eyes and face safe.
Slide Image
Step
08/11
Get your copy of the Beat the Heat worksheet.
Slide Image
Step
09/11
On your sheet, add that the face shield is transparent. This is so that people can see what they are doing.
Slide Image
Step
10/11
Some face shields are dark, like sunglasses. But they are still see-through!
Slide Image
Step
11/11
This was the last update to your worksheet. We will keep learning about foundries after the next lesson and in the performance task, though!
Slide Image
Slide Image

material


1 of 4

what something is made of, like metal, wood, or plastic

adhesive


2 of 4

something sticky
Video trouble?

transparent


3 of 4

you can see through it, such as with glass
Video trouble?

invention


4 of 4

a new object or way of doing things that someone creates
Video trouble?
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Sign up

Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Exploration
laboratory by Jean-Pierre , used under CC BY-SA
3M by Brandon
mixing epoxy resin by ArtResin , used under CC BY
recycle bin by succo
hands by PublicDomainPictures
scientists by 3M Post-it®
sheet music by stevepb
post-it by Paul Williams , used under CC BY
story boarding by post-it by Bernard Goldbach , used under CC BY
colorful post-its by Dean Hochman , used under CC BY
lightbulb on head by Tinkeringbell
Tropiglas Technologies by Victor Rosenberg , used under CC BY
high tech Shoji Screen by Brian Wilson , used under CC BY
car by Nick Ares , used under CC BY-SA
superconducting levitation by InnovativeMaterials , used under CC BY
skateboarding by Tom Brandt , used under CC BY
the Lexus hoverboard by Lexus International , used under CC BY
Activity
pencil by Charm
glass by Plastock , used under CC BY
jar by Maximaximax , used under CC BY-SA
window by Roger Mommaerts , used under CC BY-SA
glasses by Mollyyoung , used under CC BY-SA
lightbulb by KMJ , used under CC BY-SA
phone by OpenClipartVectors
windshield wipers by ClipArtHut
faucet by livehome , used under CC BY-SA
water by Steve Johnson , used under CC BY
birds by OpenClipartVectors
Credits
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 2

Material Properties

Inventions & Engineering

K-2-ETS1-1

7046 reviews

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students learn how new materials are invented. In the activity, Bouncy Glass Inventions, students come up with ideas for inventions that use an exciting futuristic material: glass that bounces and stretches like rubber!
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Invention worksheet 30 copies
Prep Instructions

You will need access to a large dry-erase board or chalkboard where you can record student ideas.

We encourage students to think “outside the box” and come up with wild ideas.To prepare yourself to lead the class discussion, we suggest you watch this short video of a creative team coming up with ideas.

Exploration

13 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Grade 2

Material Properties

Inventions & Engineering

K-2-ETS1-1

7046 reviews
Slow internet or video problems?
Credits
 
Materials Lesson 4: What materials might be invented in the future?

How did the lesson go?
Terrible OK Good Great Terrific!

How can we improve it?

If you'd like our team to reply to you, please Contact Support instead.

Thanks for your feedback! If you have a question or need help, please contact us. Please consider sharing your review:

Sorry the lesson didn’t go well. We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.

Thanks for letting us know. We’ll wait to ask you for feedback until after you've actually taught it.

Thanks for the feedback! We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.

Is the video not playing properly?

Please follow these steps:

  1. Very rarely a video will fail to completely load in your browser. Try to reload this page to see if that fixes the problem.
  2. If reloading does not help, try our other video player .
  3. If the video still fails to play, open this video in a new tab and please let us know you’re having trouble. We want to fix this issue for you.

Close

How can we help you?

💡For purchasing info, see our Pricing Page

This episode is locked

This lesson is not included in your limited access.

View pricing

This episode is locked

Your membership is expired. The archive of past Mini Lessons is not included in your limited access.

View pricing