Unit Overview

Students use the Engineering Design Process to design an affordable, eco-friendly slipper prototype that provides consumers with a safe amount of traction. Students learn about the force of friction between different outsole materials and vinyl flooring.

  • Grades 6–8
  • Setting: In school
  • Science connection: Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
  • 9 lessons
  • 45 minutes per lesson

Standards alignment

YES units align with state and national science standards, integrating seamlessly with popular middle school science curricula. View unit-specific Engineering Eco-friendly Slippers Alignment or all Standards Alignments.

Unit Map

Students are introduced to engineering by designing a phone stand to solve an everyday problem.

Students learn that the disposal of shoes harms the environment and consider why synthetic materials are commonly used in shoes.

Students focus on the outsole as they investigate why traction is important and which outsole materials provide a safe amount of grip.

Students measure the relative force of friction between the outsole materials and flooring and use this data to determine what is safe.

Students brainstorm designs and consider tradeoffs between safe traction, eco-friendly materials, comfort, and cost.

Teams work together to plan and create their first slipper design.

Teams consider the role of failure in engineering as they test and evaluate their first slipper designs.

Students work in teams to plan, create, and test a slipper iteration, using the Engineering Design Process as a guide.

Students share their designs with their peers, discuss the impact their designs may have, and reflect on their engineering work.

Video Resources

View the full unit playlist on YouTube.

Teacher Preparation Videos

Model Phone

Outsole

Traction Test Station Part 1

Traction Test Station Part 2

Videos for Students

The Problem

Using Data for Design Decisions

Traction Test Procedure

Making a Slipper

Computer Science Modules

User Reviews Analysis

Students use a simple machine learning algorithm to analyze qualitative data collected from slipper users. This module uses free MATLAB interactives from MathWorks.

  • 2 lessons
  • 45 minutes each

Step Counters

Students develop, test, and iterate a step counting algorithm to evaluate the durability of their slippers. This module uses BBC micro:bits.

  • 3 lessons
  • 45 minutes each

Our funders

Major support for this project has been provided by MathWorks.

MathWorks Logo

What’s Included?

  • Teacher Guide (PDF)
  • Teacher Slides (Google Slides)
  • Student Engineering Notebook (PDF or Google Slides)
  • Print Materials (PDF)
  • 2 Computer Science Modules