Field Museum

History Colorado

Form and Function Introduction

Modern Pueblo People Team Up With Researchers  

Using Evidence: You Be The Researcher

Use this chart to take notes on the form and function of four different objects in your life. 

Form and Function in your Life

How do we know about the past?

Explore the steps of problem-solving and invention to discover how form has changed (or not) over time to serve a specific function: 
1. Define the problem and gather information, 2. Generate ideas to solve the problem, 3. Make it, 4. Assess and Tweak as Needed


Technological Change over Time-Part 1/2

In this activity, learn about five disciplinary lenses and how they can be applied to explore how form relates to function.

How many stories can an object tell?

Now that you have explored past and present examples of toasters and sandals and they ways these have changed over time, how do you imagine the future of toasters and sandals?  Review the objects in the last activity and think about what might change and what would stay the same as sandals and toaster technology continues to change. Consider the function of each and design a toaster or sandals for the future.

Technological Change over Time-Part 2/2

Learn about strategies used to make discoveries about the past. Apply disciplinary lenses to objects from history and modern day. Explore the relationship between form, function, and technological change.

Additional Resource for Using Disciplinary Lenses: 

Additional Information about Colorado's Pueblo People:

Rocky Mountain PBS Colorado Experience: Living West, Water

Colorado Encyclopedia Article on Mesa Verde National Park 

 Ancestral Puebloans of the Four Corners Region

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Investigating Form and Function

Form and Function Introduction

ACTIVITY 1

Form and Function in your Life

ACTIVITY 2

How do we know about the past?

ACTIVITY 3

How many stories can an object tell?

ACTIVITY 4

Using Evidence: You Be The Researcher

ACTIVITY 5

Technological Change over Time-Part 1/2

ACTIVITY 6

Technological Change over Time-Part 2/2

ACTIVITY 7