Meet element number 13, aluminum. A video in the Real Engineering playlist explains how people started using aluminum in airplanes, buildings, and power lines. Scholars see how a moment of serendipity led to a process for producing this powerful material.

Concepts

aluminum, building materials

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

science

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Have pupils create a timeline of the development of aluminum as a building material
• Team up with a history teacher and/or a science teacher
  

Classroom Considerations

• Note that the video uses the British/Irish spelling and pronunciation of aluminum

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Provides historical footage
• Clear and concise explanations make the concept easy to understand
  

Cons

• None