This month's activity is great for teaching younger students about this month's topic, Textile Engineering/Technology. In the TeachEngineering activity, Compare Fabric Materials, students look at different types of fabric and their respective individual properties. Using a magnifying glass and sandpaper they test and observe the weave of fabrics and the wear quality of sample fabrics. By comparing the qualities of different fabrics they learn why there are so many different types of fabric and can recognize or suggest different uses for them. It is important that engineers design products that are durable over extended periods of time in rough conditions. A more durable product means that the product does not have to be replaced as often, it is typically more cost effective, and less waste is created. Understanding the physical properties of the fabric aids in deciding what fabric should be used for a specific function.

Another resource on the Engineering Pathway related to Textile Engineering/Technology is the Lorn Manufacturing Case Study. This multimedia case study is available for download or on CD-ROM at a cost of $2. The case study may be used to help students look at safety issues within the textile industry. A sample preview: "A horrible accident has occurred on a lap winder at a textile plant, and a man has lost three fingers. Now the case is in the courts and it is up to a jury to decide who is at fault. On the stand, helping the jury to understand the technical issues of the problem are two highly qualified engineers acting as expert witnesses, one for the plaintiff, one for the defendant. Whose technical interpretation is correct? What are the qualities found in an engineer that allows them to be expert witnesses? Could properly installed safety features have prevented this accident? How should safety be practiced in a manufacturing environment?"

These activities are brought to you by the new Engineering Pathway, a part of the National Science Digital Library. The portal provides high-quality teaching and learning resources in applied science and math, engineering, computer science/information technology and engineering technology — for use by K-12 and university educators. The Engineering Pathway brings together quality engineering education materials from all over the internet allowing teachers to search all of these documents in a single location. The first activity is from the TeachEngineering Digital Library for K-12 engineering curricula.