http://teachers.egfi-k12.org Blog about the growing role of engineering in K-12 education. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:21:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/sound-booth-construction/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/sound-booth-construction/#comments Sun, 18 Dec 2011 10:00:05 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=31888 In this activity, students in grades 7-9 explore the sound-dampening capability of materials by designing and prototyping model sound booths. They learn about how sound is reflected and absorbed, and how it travels through various materials, providing an overview of sound dampening propagation in the context of engineering.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/sound-booth-construction/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/bits-binary/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/bits-binary/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:00:22 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=31764 In this activity, students in grades 4 - 12 will do math like a computer. They will learn the basics of binary number systems by writing and then counting on their hands, and use their knowledge to decode numbers and letters.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/bits-binary/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/can-do-canoe/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/can-do-canoe/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:00:44 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=31539 In this activity, teams of students in grades 3-12 explore the engineering design process by building model canoes from everyday materials and testing their design in a basin. The canoes must be able to float for three minutes and, for older students, support a load. Students then evaluate the effectiveness of their canoes and those of other teams, and present their findings to the class.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/can-do-canoe/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/radioactive-decay-lesson/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/radioactive-decay-lesson/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:00:08 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=31227 In this activity, students in grades 5 - 11 will use M&Ms to learn about radioactivity, the rate at which an isotope decays, and the concept of half-life. They will count and record the number of decayed "atoms" and graph the results.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/radioactive-decay-lesson/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/lesson-hands-on-hits-of-2011/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/lesson-hands-on-hits-of-2011/#comments Sun, 28 Aug 2011 10:00:17 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=30565 You don't have to be an engineer to introduce engineering concepts and design into your classroom. The eGFI site includes scores of inexpensive, engaging lessons - searchable by grade level or subject - that cover the various engineering disciplines. To kick off the school year and acquaint you with eGFI, we've assembled a dozen of 2011's most popular lessons and activities. Have fun putting some "E" in your STEM classes this semester!]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/lesson-hands-on-hits-of-2011/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/lesson-design-squad-sampler/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/lesson-design-squad-sampler/#comments Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:49:20 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=30540 eGFI teachers' newsletters have featured activities and lesson plans developed by PBS's Design Squad Nation, with video links and suggested modifications for different age groups. Here's a sampler:]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/lesson-design-squad-sampler/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/green-roof-resources/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/green-roof-resources/#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:16:06 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=30082 These references and resources were initially developed for presentations at the Central PA STEM Conference and the 2011 ASEE K12 Workshop, which included a presentation focused on the green-roof lesson on the eGFI website. ]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/green-roof-resources/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/navigating-with-vectors/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/navigating-with-vectors/#comments Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:00:43 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=28586 It's easy to find your way to school. Now imagine trying to navigate the skies, with no signs to point you in the right direction. How do pilots find their way? These "pilot training lessons" developed by the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education at the Stevens Institute of Technology will teach your young aviators the principles of navigation in a fun series of real-time activities.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/navigating-with-vectors/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/japan-earthquake-construction/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/japan-earthquake-construction/#comments Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:00:10 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=28363 From buildings that sway rather than collapse to tsunami seawalls and drills, Japan's earthquake precautions have made the nation uniquely prepared for disaster. Learn how Japanese construct skyscrapers and other earthquake-resistant engineering in this New York Times feature. Such practices undoubtedly helped save lives, though the toll from last week's temblor and giant wave continues to mount.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/japan-earthquake-construction/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/activity-solving-real-challenges-with-engineering/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/activity-solving-real-challenges-with-engineering/#comments Sun, 02 Jan 2011 10:00:43 +0000 jxs http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=25858 In a multipart activity, students in grades 5-9 discover different engineering disciplines and brainstorm how different engineering skills can be applied to local or world problems. This eGFI original class activity is based on the winning submission to eGFI's innovative teaching idea contest.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/activity-solving-real-challenges-with-engineering/feed/ 1