Posted on March 1st, 2010 by ASEE
Students grades 5-12 assume the role of civil engineers in constructing a model suspension bridge. They learn about other types of spans — including arch, girder, truss, and cantilever — and of the careful balance of compression and tension required in bridge building.
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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans | Comment »
Tags: Bridge building, Bridge Design, Civil Engineering, Grades 5-12
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 by ASEE
This “Nano Waterproofing” lesson explores how materials can be modified at the nano scale to provide features such as waterproofing and stain resistance. Student teams develop their own waterproofing technique for a cotton fabric and test their design against a fabric that has been altered through nanotechnology applications.
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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans | Comment »
Tags: Chemical, Class Activities, Design, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans, Nanotechnology
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 by ASEE
The NanoLeap project represents an approach for teachers to introduce the exciting world of nanoscale science and technology to their classes by integrating interdisciplinary research with traditional science concepts. Investigating Static Forces in Nature: The Mystery of the Gecko is a three-week module that replaces and supplements part of a unit that is normally taught at the beginning of a physical science course.
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Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans, Web Resources | Comment »
Tags: Lesson Plans, Nanotechnology, Physics
Posted on February 15th, 2010 by jxs
Energy transfer is a central concept in the majority of engineering designs, including designs for musical instruments. In this lesson, students will grasp the concepts of energy and energy transfer, and then apply what they’ve learned by designing and building their own musical instruments.
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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Lesson Plans | Comment »
Tags: Class Activities, Curriculum, energy, Lesson Plans
Posted on February 8th, 2010 by jxs
Students build a simulated luge track and make predictions about the impact of surface type, wind resistance, size of slope, and shape of luge on their track; test their predictions by conducting several simulated luge runs; and make conclusions about the effects of physical forces on the sport of luging.
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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Grades K-5, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | 2 Comments »
Tags: Class Activities, Curriculum, Grades 3-8, Lesson Plan, Lesson Plans, Teacher Resources
Posted on January 4th, 2010 by jxs
This lesson explores how civil engineering has solved the challenge of moving water through irrigation. Students work in teams to design and build their own model irrigation system out of everyday items. They test their systems, evaluate their results, and present their findings to the class.
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Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans | 1 Comment »
Tags: Agricultural, Grades 6-8, Lesson Plans, Water management
Posted on December 16th, 2009 by ASEE
In this lesson for grades 5-8, students learn how the process of reverse engineering helps improve technology. Students analyze the mechanisms of a push-toy then disassemble it and draw its inner mechanisms. They then make suggestions for improvements: effectiveness, improved functionality, ecological friendliness, and any additional functionality. Time required: 90 minutes.
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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Grades K-5, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | Comment »
Tags: Design, Grades 6-8, Grades K-5