Project/ Research Ideas for further work
- Students can learn the innovation process as part of project work, using 3M's development process as a case study for research and discussion (e.g. The Post-it notes experience can let students learn about the importance of observation to identify problems in daily life)
- Teachers can also use the scientific principles behind various products by 3M (e.g. adhesives, abrasives, security systems) to teach, asking students to research and find out more. The wide range of products produced would facilitate the selection of appropriate products to teach relevant scientific principles
- If it is not too dangerous or expensive, students can potentially experiment in producing different types of adhesives (perhaps investigating natural ones) to determine which is the strongest/ will not leave stains when removed etc. Testing a variety of factors can help students to realise that types of a product with different properties are required for different uses. This of course, can be done with other products