The manufacture of metal alloys is ubiquitous, yet infrequently discussed in high school coursework as concepts related to them are often too complex or abstract for beginning science students. However, earlier introduction to metallurgy in classroom settings could promote interest in practical applications of chemistry, physics, and geology due to the demonstrable significance of materials in daily use. Elemental metals with low melting points such as bismuth, zinc and tin are melted down, mixed at various percent compositions, and allowed to solidify. The solidified composites are then broken open to examine resulting internal structures. Changes in physical properties of new compositions are observed, analyzed, and discussed.

Experimental results are the basis for a multi-tiered laboratory experiment for high school chemistry or geoscience courses. From introductory, inquiry-based techniques in chemistry to more advanced concepts in petrology, each lab can be tuned to cover a wide spectrum of multi-dimensional science applications.