Posted on September 11th, 2011 by mxl
In this lesson, teams of students in grades 4 – 8 learn about basic aerodynamics by constructing a rocket from a balloon propelled along a guide-string. They use this model to learn about Newton’s three laws of motion, examining the effect of different forces on the motion of the rocket.
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Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | Comment »
Tags: Aerospace, aerospace lessons, balloon rocket, forces, NASA, Newton's, Physics, rockets
Posted on September 6th, 2011 by mxl
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.
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Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | Comment »
Tags: Building Design, Civil Engineering, Class Activities, concrete, Grades K-12, Lesson Plans, materials, Virginia Tech
Posted on August 28th, 2011 by mxl
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!
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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans, Special Features | Comment »
Tags: Aerospace, balloon racers, bridge, build, catapult, Civil Engineering, Class Activities, earthquake, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, Lesson Plan, Lesson Plans, Nanotechnology, Structural Engineering, Teacher Resources, tower
Posted on August 19th, 2011 by mxl
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:
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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | Comment »
Tags: Class Activities, Design Squad, Engineering Design, Lesson Plans
Posted on August 14th, 2011 by jxs
In this lesson, students in grades 3-5 are introduced to chemical engineering and learn about its many different applications. They are provided with a basic introduction to matter and its different properties and states. An associated hands-on activity gives students a chance to test their knowledge of the states of matter and how to make observations.
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Filed under: Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | Comment »
Tags: Chemical, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Elementary Education, Lesson Plan, Lesson Plans
Posted on July 31st, 2011 by mxl
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.
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Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | 1 Comment »
Tags: Design Squad, Energy, Engineering Design, force, motion, Physics, simple machines
Posted on June 22nd, 2011 by mxl
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.
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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans, Web Resources | Comment »
Tags: Class Activities, Curriculum, Environmental Engineering, Environmental science, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, green roof, Lesson Plan, Lesson Plans, Science
Posted on June 5th, 2011 by mxl
Student teams in grades 9-11 gain a better understanding of heat transfer and engineering by designing and building solar water-heating devices that mimic those used in residences. Once the model devices are constructed, students perform efficiency calculations and compare designs.
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Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | Comment »
Tags: Energy and Environmental Technology, Environmental Engineering, Environmental science, Grades 9-12, Green, Green Technology, Lesson Plans, Solar Energy, Solar Engineering
Posted on May 22nd, 2011 by mxl
In this activity, teams of students 8 – 18 learn about engineering design by constructing rubber-band-powered cars from everyday materials that can travel in a straight line for a distance of at least 3 meters within a 1 meter wide track. They test their rubber-band racers, evaluate their results, and present to the class.
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Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | 1 Comment »
Tags: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades K-5, Lesson Plan, Lesson Plans
