1. Don't get bent out of shape : memory wire -- 2. Harnessing the color of nature : structural color and iridescence -- 3. From sludge to nobility : artificial dye -- 4. By the teeth of your skin : shark skin and bacteria -- 5. A sticky situation : gecko feet adhesives -- 6. It's hip to be square : seahorse tails -- 7. Corn flakes : waste not, want not -- 8. Get fired up with friction lights : matches -- 9. That's a wrap : plastic -- 10. A sticky discovery : the invention of post-it notes -- 11. Putty in your hands : the unintended discovery of silly putty -- 12. Sweet and sour : the rise and fall ... and rise ... of saccharin -- 13. Saving lives through an accident : safety glass -- 14. A wearable water filter : the sari -- 15. From ship to staircase : the history of the slinky -- 16. Man of stainless steel : the discovery of a new alloy -- 17. Super glue : accidentally discovered twice -- 18. Teflon : a refrigerator gas accident -- 19. Vaseline : the "wonder jelly" -- 20. I'm rubber and you're glue : vulcanized rubber -- 21. Peering into the unknown : the discovery of x-rays -- 22. Velcro : engineering mimics nature.
Summary
This book examines surprising cases of innovations sparked by accidental observations to teach about the amazing role of serendipity in science. The case studies presented seek to integrate engineering into physical science classes. Middle and high school students will learn to understand fundamental science processes while trying out their own ideas for unexpected applications.
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