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/guilt-free-chocolate/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/guilt-free-chocolate/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 10:00:02 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=30255 In this hands-on activity designed to teach chemical-engineering principles to freshman engineering students at Rowan University, teams of high school students will melt chocolate and coat commercially available cookies, then perform several measurements and calculations. They then will write a lab report that includes nutritional labeling and recommendations for improving the chocolate-coating process.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/guilt-free-chocolate/feed/ 0 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/marshmallow-design-challenge/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/marshmallow-design-challenge/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:30:39 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=31061 In this lesson, K-12 student teams have a limited period of time (18 minutes) to build the tallest free-standing spaghetti structure that can support a marshmallow. They learn how engineers collaborate to design, test, and improve on their ideas, as well as examine hidden assumptions that can derail the creative process and final product.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/marshmallow-design-challenge/feed/ 1 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/zero-energy-home-design/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/zero-energy-home-design/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:00:44 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=30844 In this activity, student teams in grades 9 to 12 design and build a one-bedroom model house within design constraints that uses passive solar heating techniques to heat the house and sustain that temperature as long as possible.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/zero-energy-home-design/feed/ 1 http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/concrete-for-kids-2/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/concrete-for-kids-2/#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:00:43 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=30678 Concrete for Kids is a fun, hands-on activity to introduce students to engineering and concrete as an engineered material that engineers use to make the structures we use every day, including bridges, buildings, and roads. In this two-period lesson, teams of students in grades K-12 mix and pour concrete to form beams which, once hardened, are tested to see how much weight they can hold before breaking. ]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/concrete-for-kids-2/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/pop-fly/ http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/pop-fly/#comments Sun, 31 Jul 2011 10:00:25 +0000 mxl http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/?p=30421 In this lesson, students in grades 3 - 12 will explore the engineering design process by building a device that can launch a ping-pong ball high enough for them to catch it.]]> http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/pop-fly/feed/ 1