The JV InvenTeams Shoe Soles activity guide will lead educators and students through the creative design of shoe soles and explore topics such as:
- How inventors solve problems
- Sketching and designing to scale
- Sculpting and casting clay molds
- Making shoe sole prototypes
Download the list of materials and tools used in this guide. Most materials and tools are included in the Invention Kit purchase.
Description
Grade level: 6-10
Summary of lesson:
Students will learn about the biomechanics of the human foot in action. They will research treads and thicknesses of various athletic shoes to observe differences and similarities. Students will also look toward nature (biomimicry) for insight. They will pick a specific athletic activity such as basketball in their small teams for the design of a shoe sole. They will design a shoe sole and use clay to create a model of their sole after researching the activity and interviewing prospective users. Students will create molds of the clay model and will use polyurethane compounds to create their shoe sole prototypes.
Time/Duration:
Each unit is designed to be 90 minutes. Teachers break down the lesson based on schedule minutes and available time. Example: 7th-8th grade science teaches 1 unit a week, and he meets 3 days a week, once for 55 minutes and twice for 90 minutes. It depends on deep educators who want to take it.
Topics Covered:
-Design Process
-Forces
-Biomechanics
-Biomimicry
-Materials
-Molding
Subject areas/Standards:
Breakdown of lessons:
1. Invention Introduction
Introduction to invention and JV InvenTeams. Students do warm-up activities and discuss invention. Students play “Four Corners” to help the educator assign diverse teams.
2. Biomechanics & Biomimcry
Students learn about biomechanics and how footwear is designed to meet specific needs. Students also learn about biomimicry as a method for brainstorming designs. The educator introduces the main design challenge of the unit and assigns students to small teams. They begin to research the shoe soles of a chosen activity.
3. Sketch & Design
Students learn to draw to scale and how to make isometric and orthographic drawings of their shoe soles.
4. Sculpt Clay Models
Students finalize a shoe sole design and use modeling clay and tools to make 3D models of the soles. Team members share designs and select one model for casting.
5. Cast Clay Models
Students prepare a molding box. Students cast the selected shoe sole model in VytaFlex® 30. In the remaining time, students meet Gihan Amarasiriwardena, a footwear inventor and clothing designer.
6. Shoe Sole Prototypes
Students remove the clay model and have a mold of the shoe sole. Students cast their prototype in VytaFlex 30. Students learn about real-world shoe design from a designer at Columbia Sportswear Company. Team members use their toolkit of new skills to brainstorm ideas for an
invention using shoe design, biomimicry, and/or the molding process.
7. Test Prototypes & Invention Ideas
Students test out their shoe soles and provide feedback to other teams. Students conceptualize a new purposeful invention that uses shoe design, biomimicry, and/or the molding process.
Materials: Link to List
