Engineering with Chemical Processes Real-World Case Study | Physical Science | Grades 6–8

This Real-World Case Study asks grades 6–8 Middle School Physical Science students to weigh a real decision about Engineering with Chemical Processes and defend a solution with evidence.

Scenario: After a strong winter earthquake, 85,000 people are living in unheated tents where nights fall to -15 degrees Celsius. There is no electricity, gas, or boiling water. Babies and older people need warm formula and meals to stay healthy. Proposal A is a $1.40 single-use pouch that heats food to 62 degrees Celsius in eight minutes… Key question: "How could engineers combine the best parts of both proposals into a better design?"

What's inside: the scenario, 5 questions to consider, an answer key, arguments for and against for the teacher, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Case Study (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word handout with approximately 710 words (~4 pages).

Classroom use: independent response, small-group comparison, and a whole-class debate in a Middle School Physical Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.