Invention made due to Necessity

Synthetic Rubber

Purpose

To explore the relationship between societal needs and technological development through examining the history and making of synthetic rubber.

Context

This lesson is part of the Energy in a High-Tech World Project, which examines the science behind energy. Energy in a High-Tech World is developed by AAAS and funded by the American Petroleum Institute. For more lessons, activities, and interactives that take a closer look at the science behind energy, be sure to check out the Energy in a High-Tech World Project page.

It was the Greek philosopher, Plato, who said that “necessity is the mother of invention.” Social and economic forces strongly influence which technologies will be developed and used. The events leading up to World War II accelerated the discovery, production, and wide distribution of synthetic rubber, in large part due to the cooperation between nations, academics, scientists, government, and commerce, which combined respective expertise to launch a program that replaced natural rubber with synthetic rubber and helped the United States win the war.

In this lesson, students will explore how events in history and scientific discoveries fuel technological advances and how technology is instrumental in creating new scientific knowledge. According to the National Science Education Standards, learning experiences associated with science and technology should include examples of technological achievement in which science has played a part and examples where technological advances contributed directly to scientific progress. (National Science Education Standards.) This lesson provides such an example in the case of the development of synthetic rubber.

When teaching this lesson, it is important to be aware of some student misconceptions surrounding science and technology. For one thing, students tend not to make a distinction between the two areas. Students often have a positive perception of science, as when they associate it with medical research. For technology, however, students often associate it with environmental problems. In addition, students seem to understand that science influences technology, but they do not readily accept that technology also influences science. (National Science Education Standards.)

To fully understand this lesson, students should have some understanding and knowledge about the events that led to WW II, particularly in relation to the development of synthetic rubber. They should have a basic understanding of how and why natural rubber was discovered, how it was used, and how its use led to the invention of synthetic rubber and its impact on the war effort.

It also would be helpful if before doing this lesson students understood that the physical properties of substances can be explained in terms of chemical bonds and intermolecular forces. They also should have an understanding of polymerization as a type of organic chemical reaction that joins small molecules to form large macromolecules. Students should understand that organic compounds contain carbon atoms that bond to one another in chains, rings, and networks to form a variety of structures.

How does applying similar characteristics help us succeed in the other areas of life?

1.VIGILANCE FOR OPPORTUNITIES
COMMITMENT TO WORK CONTACT
PERSISTENCE
WILLINGNESS TO TAKE RISKS
DEMAND FOR EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY
GOAL SETTING
INFORMATION SEEKING
SYSTEMATIC PLANNING AND MONITORING
PERSUASION AND NETWORKING
SELF CONFIDENCE
>It help us to do things better, faster, or cheaper so we become a successful businessman/women.

2.To become a successful entrepreneur follow the characteristics what an entrepreneur should be.

Homework: What is PEC?

Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies
Research by McClelland and McBer, funded by USAID, has identified 14 personal
entrepreneurial competencies (PECs) which appear to characterize the behaviour of
successful entrepreneurs. The study, conducted in India, Ecuador and Malawi, also
found that these PECs transcended culture, country and continent. These
competencies can be grouped into 3 main clusters and the EMPRETEC model has
merged some of these competencies to derive 10 PECs.
Achievement Cluster
I. Opportunity Seeking and Initiative
Does things before asked or forced to by events
Acts to extend the business into new areas, products or services
Seizes unusual opportunities to start a new business, obtain financing,
equipment, land work space or assistance
II. Risk Taking
Deliberately calculates risks and evaluates alternatives
Takes action to reduce risks or control outcomes
Places self in situations involving a challenge or moderate risk
III. Demand for Efficiency and Quality
Finds ways to do things better, faster, or cheaper
Acts to do things that meet or exceed standards of excellence
Develops or uses procedures to ensure work is completed on time or that
work meets agreed upon standards of quality
IV. Persistence
Takes action in the face of a significant obstacle
Takes repeated actions or switches to an alternative strategy to meet a
challenge or overcome an obstacle
Takes personal responsibility for the performance necessary to achieve
goals and objectives
V. Commitment to the Work Contract
Makes a personal sacrifice or expends extraordinary effort to complete a
job
Pitches in with workers or in their place to get a job done
Strives to keep customers satisfied and places long term good will over
short term gain
Planning Cluster
VI. Information Seeking
Personally seeks information from clients, suppliers or competitors
Does personal research on how to provide a product or service
Consults experts for business or technical advice
VII Goal setting
Sets goals and objectives that are personally meaningful and challenging
Articulates clear and specific long range goals
Sets measurable short term objectives
VIII. Systematic Planning and Monitoring
Plans by breaking large tasks down into time-constrained sub-tasks
Revises plans in light of feedback on performance or changing
circumstances
Keeps financial records and uses them to make business decisions
Power Cluster
IX. Persuasion and Networking
Uses deliberate strategies to influence or persuade others
Uses key people as agents to accomplish own objectives
Acts to develop and maintain business contracts
X. Independence and self-confidence
Seeks autonomy from the rules or control of others
Sticks with own judgement in the face of opposition or early lack of
success
Expresses confidence in own ability to complete a difficult task or meet a
challenge
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