ERIC Number: EJ1210619
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Mar
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2158-0502
EISSN: N/A
Teach Wood Science
Flowers, Jim
Technology and Engineering Teacher, v78 n6 p29-33 Mar 2019
As a resource for manufacturing and construction, wood has much to offer: it is renewable, beautiful, locally obtainable, and rather easy to machine. In addition to building products out of wood, wood can be scientifically studied in the classroom and lab. In the age of STEM integration, technology and engineering teachers can teach wood science, helping students to learn about experimentation and about connections among technology, engineering, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics. There is a distinction between wood technology and wood science. Ellis (cited in Barnes, 1979) clarified that wood science is "that body of knowledge applicable to wood as a material, including its origin, properties, and characteristics," whereas "wood technology follows as the application of knowledge in the conversion and processing of wood for use" (pp. 243-244). Both wood science and wood technology offer avenues for STEM integration, and in particular, for engaging students in scientific inquiry. Deliberate education in wood science can help students learn about the importance of using scientific information others have found. It also can help them learn to plan and conduct experiments and other scientific investigations. It is time for technology and engineering education to re-embrace wood science and what it has to offer students in the age of integrated STEM education. An appended "experiment brief" called "3D Printing Onto Wood" can be used to encourage student inquiry using a 3D printer and some samples of woods.
Descriptors: Woodworking, Forestry, STEM Education, Technology Education, Science Education, Engineering Education
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. 1914 Association Drive Suite 201, Reston, VA 20191-1539. Tel: 703-860-2100; Fax: 703-860-0353; e-mail: iteea@iteea.org; Web site: https://www.iteea.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A