Engineering a Sandcastle
Posted on August 3rd, 2022 by Mary Lord
Tufts University students took to the beach for a fun, hands-on lesson in engineering design, creativity, and materials science.
Photo: Alonso Nichols. Tufts Now
Filed under: K-12 Outreach Programs, Special Features | Comments Off on Engineering a Sandcastle
Tags: Civil Engineering, Engineering Design Process, materials science, sandcastle construction, Structural Engineering, Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach
Qatar, a small country on the Arabian Peninsula that will host the 2022 World Cup, is known for July temperatures that regularly average over 115 degrees. But soccer fans need not to worry. Engineers have come up with ways to keep the stadiums cool – including a fanciful “artificial cloud” to block the sun.
The driving of the last spike of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1863, capped more than a century of engineering triumph and human tragedy. Teach your students about the historical impact of engineering and technology on society with these activities and resources designed to mark the anniversary of that fateful meeting of two steam locomotives at Promontory, Utah, 150 years ago.
Engineers and entrepreneurs aim to turn a century-old concept into a network of vacuum-tube trains that propel passengers as fast as jets. 
Students in grades 3 to 5 work in groups to design a structure that will withstand and protect people from tornadoes. Each group then creates a poster with the name of their engineering firm and a picture of their structure. Finally, each group presents their posters to the class.
Crazy about cars – or driven mad by traffic? Iowa State University’s Institute for Transportation offers an engaging set of resources, including Go! Magazine, a free e-zine in English and Spanish, for students and teachers to learn about transportation research and careers.
Planning a road trip this summer? Whether en route to a beach, lake, or national park, there are plenty of engineering landmarks to admire along the way — including the interstate highway system, along which most travelers must pass. Here are some designated engineering destinations worth braking for!
Emily Roebling was a proper Victorian wife, determined to remain in her husband’s shadow. Yet she became one of the world’s earliest female pioneers in engineering. Emily Roebling, as much as any single person, was responsible for the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Introduce a girl to engineering. Make slime and other cool stuff. Visit a local engineering school. National Engineers Week kicks off on Feb. 18 2018 and this year’s theme – Engineers: Inspiring Wonder – offers an opportunity to learn about how engineers make a difference in our world. How will you celebrate?!
