
#Wood dale ilibrary icons how to

The beginning, middle and end of a material is considered its lifecycle. “Paper or plastic” also brings up ideas about where the material goes when we are finished using it. A familiar question at the check out line is “Paper or plastic?” Which do you think is more sustainable? “Paper or plastic” brings up questions about where the material comes from, how it is produced, how it is transported and how it is distributed. Almost everyone goes to the store to buy things they need. Think about your materials in your daily life. Take your photographs and make a material quilt or collage. Their colors, textures, softness or hardness all contribute to your experience daily. Write down where it is used (wall, pencil, desk, etc.) Now take digital photos of the materials you live with. How many materials can you identify? Make a list in your journal of at least 25 materials in one room. New combinations of materials are always being explored. Stone, clay, concrete masonry (blocks), aluminum, glass, plastics, rubber, gypsum (drywall) and other synthetic and natural materials are also used. Concrete, steel and wood are generally considered the key building materials. Others require cranes to pick up and put in place.

Each structural material possesses its own physical, mechanical and dimensional characteristics. Materials used in architecture are selected for their physical properties, their cost, their accessibility and their construction techniques.

Materials can also be biodegradable (able to decompose) or non-biodegradable. Inorganic materials are those that do not naturally grow and reproduce. Organic materials are those materials that come from plants or animals. Materials are considered renewable when the earth naturally reproduces them non-renewable matter is material that cannot be replaced but can often times be recycled. How many different materials do you see? Where did the materials come from? What energy was needed to put them into their form? Where will they go? How long will they last? All material has characteristics: size, shape, color, texture, hardness, strength, life expectancy, life cycle. Your creative science will aid you on your exploration of the wonders of materials: organic, rock, hybrid, synthetic and metal. To save the endangered beauty from earthly dangers, you must erect a refuge of ideas that will foil the plans from the ravages of Man.
