Making and Breaking Bones: Learning Physics through Engineering Design

Abstract

Eighth grade students in an engineering course designed and tested prosthetic bones for use in a movie. Bone design required physics content to be integrated with knowledge of math, engineering, and technology. Specifically, students used a 3D printer and associated design software to design, fabricate, and test a prosthetic fibula for a stuntman's use in a movie. This paper explains how the project motivated students' use of physics content and further required students to use their knowledge of physics (e.g., force, motion, and pressure) in coordination with other content knowledge.