| Racing with the Sun - Creating a Solar Car |
Students use engineering design principles to construct and test a fully solar powered car. Several options exist, though we recommend the "Junior Solar Sprint" (JSS) Car Kits that can be purchased w...
... moreStudents use engineering design principles to construct and test a fully solar powered car. Several options exist, though we recommend the "Junior Solar Sprint" (JSS) Car Kits that can be purchased with direction from the federal government. Using the JSS kit from Solar World, students were provided with a photovoltaic panel that produces ~3V at ~3W. An optional accessory kit also available from Solar World includes wheels, axels and drive gears. A chassis must be built additionally. Balsa wood provides an excellent option though many others are available. The testing of the solar car culminates in a solar race between classmates.
...less |
6 (6-8) |
North Carolina (2004):
 Science
S1028437 S1028499 S10284D2 S102851E S102851F S1028527 |
4 hours |
2 |
US$ 35.00 |
| Ramp and Review |
In this hands-on activity — rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup — the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During...
... moreIn this hands-on activity — rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup — the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During the activity, students take measurements and use equations that describe these energy of motion concepts to calculate unknown variables, and review the relationships between these concepts.
...less |
7 (6-8) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S1002447 S1012041 S1015D9B S1022DDF
Math
S103C221 S103C230 S103C272 S103C285 |
60 minutes |
3 |
US$ 7.00 |
| Ramp and Review (for High Scool) |
In this hands-on activity — rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup — the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During...
... moreIn this hands-on activity — rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup — the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During the activity, students take measurements and use equations that describe these energy of motion concepts to calculate unknown variables and review the relationships between these concepts.
...less |
10 (9-11) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S1002447 S1012041 S1015D9B S1022DDF
Math
S103C227 S103C235 S103C279 S103C289 |
60 minutes |
3 |
US$ 7.00 |
| Ranking the Rocks |
This activity develops the real-world connections and relationships between the rock properties found in Lesson 5 and the important engineering properties for designing and building caverns (or tunnel...
... moreThis activity develops the real-world connections and relationships between the rock properties found in Lesson 5 and the important engineering properties for designing and building caverns (or tunnels, mines, building foundations, etc.). The student teams will use importance factors called "desirability points" to mathematically determine the overall best rocks to build caverns within.
...less |
7 (6-8) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S1000375 S100D7F5 S1012041 S1015D9B |
45 minutes |
3 |
US$ 0.00 |
| Ready to Erupt! |
Students observe an in-classroom visual representation of a volcanic eruption. The water-powered volcano demonstration is made in advance, using sand, hoses and a waterballoon, representing the main c...
... moreStudents observe an in-classroom visual representation of a volcanic eruption. The water-powered volcano demonstration is made in advance, using sand, hoses and a waterballoon, representing the main components of all volcanoes. During the activity, students observe, measure and sketch the volcano, seeing how its behavior provides engineers with indicators used to predict an eruption.
...less |
4 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S1000375 S100D7F5 S1012041
Math
S103C26F |
50 minutes |
1 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Ready, Set, Escape |
During this project, students will be asked to design a device that will measure out a time period of exactly 3 minutes. They will be asked to brainstorm ideas using the different materials provided. Students will observe and explain the effects of conservation of energy. |
9 (9-12) |
Massachusetts (2001):
Science
S1011BBA S101DDA3 S10206E0 S1026CE2 |
2 hours |
4 |
US$ 2.00 |
| A Recipe for Air |
Students use M&Ms?? to create a pie graph that expresses their understanding of the composition of air. The students discuss why knowing this information is important to engineers. |
5 (4-6) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S10069B9 S100D7F5 S100F4B7 S1015D9B
Math
S103C285 |
35 minutes |
1 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Riding the Gravity Wave |
Students write a biographical sketch of an artist or athlete who lives on the edge, riding the gravity wave, to better understand how these artists and athletes work with gravity and manage risk. Note...
... moreStudents write a biographical sketch of an artist or athlete who lives on the edge, riding the gravity wave, to better understand how these artists and athletes work with gravity and manage risk. Note: The literacy activities for the Mechanics unit are based on physical themes that have broad application to our experience in the world — concepts of rhythm, balance, spin, gravity, levity, inertia, momentum, friction, stress and tension.
...less |
6 (5-7) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S100D7F5 |
50 minutes |
1 |
US$ 0.00 |
| River Flow Rate |
In this activity, students utilize their understanding and feel for flow rate from the Faucet Flow Rate activity to estimate the flow rate in a local river. The objective is for students to relate lab...
... moreIn this activity, students utilize their understanding and feel for flow rate from the Faucet Flow Rate activity to estimate the flow rate in a local river. The objective is for students to relate laboratory experiment results to the environment. Students will then use the Engineering Our Water Living Lab (accessible through TeachEngineering.com) to determine the actual flow rate data for their chosen river. They will compare their estimate with the actual flow rate. Note: for this activity to be successful, it is critical for the students to have a visual feel for the flow of a nearby river.
...less |
6 (5-9) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S10069B9 S100D7F5 S1012041
Math
S103C221 S103C230 S103C234 S103C246 S103C272 |
50 minutes |
3 |
US$ 0.00 |
| Rocket Power |
By making and testing simple balloon rockets, students acquire a basic understanding of Newton's third law of motion as it applies to rockets. Using balloons, string, straws and tape, they see how roc...
... moreBy making and testing simple balloon rockets, students acquire a basic understanding of Newton's third law of motion as it applies to rockets. Using balloons, string, straws and tape, they see how rockets are propelled by expelling gases, and test their rockets in horizontal and incline conditions. They also learn about the many types of engineers who design rockets and spacecraft.
...less |
3 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
S1002447 S1012041
Math
S103C26D S103C271 |
30 minutes |
2 |
US$ 0.25 |
