| Machines and Tools, Part II |
In this activity, students gain first-hand experience with the mechanical advantage of pulleys. Students are given the challenge of helping save a whale by moving it from an aquarium back to its natur...
... moreIn this activity, students gain first-hand experience with the mechanical advantage of pulleys. Students are given the challenge of helping save a whale by moving it from an aquarium back to its natural habitat into the ocean. They set up different pulley systems, compare the theoretical and actual mechanical advantage of each and discuss their recommendations as a class.
...less |
7 (6-8) |
Colorado (1995):
 Science
S1002447 S100D7F5 S1012041
Math
S103C231 S103C234 S103C272 S103C287 |
50 minutes |
3 |
US$ 5.00 |
| The Magician's Catapult |
In this activity, students reinforce their understanding of compound machines by building a catapult. This compound machine consists of a lever and a wheel-and-axel. Catapults have been designed by en...
... moreIn this activity, students reinforce their understanding of compound machines by building a catapult. This compound machine consists of a lever and a wheel-and-axel. Catapults have been designed by engineers for a variety of purposes — from lifting boulders into the air for warfare to human beings for entertainment; the projectiles in this activity are grapes for a magic act. Given the building materials, students design and build their catapult to launch a grape a certain distance.
...less |
7 (6-8) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S1002447 S100D7F5 S1012041
Math
S103C221 S103C249 S103C273 S103C287 |
50 minutes |
2 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Magnetic Attraction |
Students complete a series of six short investigations involving magnets to learn more about their properties. Students also discuss engineering uses for magnets and brainstorm examples of magnets in use in their everyday lives. |
4 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S1002447 S10069B9 S100D7F5 S1012041 S1022DDF |
60 minutes |
2 |
US$ 2.50 |
| Magnitude of the Richter Scale |
In this activity, students will learn about the Richter Scale for measuring earthquakes. The students will make a booklet with drawings that represent each rating of the Richter Scale. |
4 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S1000375 S100D7F5
Math
S103C21C |
50 minutes |
1 |
US$ 0.00 |
| Make an Alarm! |
After reading the story "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary, students will build an alarm system for something in the classroom, as the main character Leigh does to protect his lunchbox from thieves....
... moreAfter reading the story "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary, students will build an alarm system for something in the classroom, as the main character Leigh does to protect his lunchbox from thieves. Students will learn about alarms and use their creativity to create an alarm system to protect their lockers, desk, or classroom door. Note: this activity can also be done without reading "Dear Mr. Henshaw".
...less |
4 (3-5) |
Massachusetts (2001):
Science
S10047AA S100D897 S100EBE2 S101F91A |
40 minutes |
|
US$ 1.00 |
| Make Some Waves |
In this activity, students use their own creativity (and their bodies) to make longitudinal and transverse waves. Through the use of common items, they will investigate the different between longitudinal and transverse waves. |
3 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S100D7F5 S1012041 S1022DDF
Math
S103C259 |
25 minutes |
2 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Make Your Own Recycled Paper |
Students will learn about how paper is made. Working together, students will make their own paper. This activity introduces students to recycling; what it is, its importance, and how it affects their lives. |
1 (K-2) |
Massachusetts (2001):
Science
S101838C |
40 minutes |
|
US$ 1.00 |
| Make Your Own Temperature Scale |
Students learn about the difference between temperature and thermal energy. They build a thermometer using simple materials and develop their own scale for measuring temperature. They compare their th...
... moreStudents learn about the difference between temperature and thermal energy. They build a thermometer using simple materials and develop their own scale for measuring temperature. They compare their thermometer to a commercial thermometer, and get a sense for why engineers need to understand the properties of thermal energy.
...less |
4 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S100D7F5 S1012041 S1015D9B S1022DDF
Math
S103C21C S103C242 S103C26F |
50 minutes |
2 |
US$ 2.00 |
| Making Decisions: Packaging and the Environment |
This activity has students redesign and justify the packaging currently used in some consumer products. Design criteria include reducing the amount of packaging material by 25%. |
9 (9-10) |
Massachusetts (2001):
Science
S100EC7C S10206E0 |
85 minutes |
4 |
US$ 0.00 |
| Manufacturing Technologies: Making a Picture Frame |
The goal of this activity is to demonstrate the basic processes involved in a manufacturing system while producing your own picture frame. |
7 (6-8) |
Massachusetts (2001):
Science
S1018D30 |
1 hour |
1 |
US$ 0.00 |
