To show students how engineering design practices reduce the impacts of a natural hazard, the authors--two science educators and an elementary teacher--taught a three-day 5E lesson that focused on hurricanes. They specifically focused on hurricanes because their students are located near a coastal area and are familiar with the effects of this…

In the field of construction, most structures are supported by several groups of truss systems working together synergistically. A "truss" is a group of centered and balanced elements combined to carry a common load (Warner, 2003). Trusses provide strength against loads and forces within a structure. Though a complex field of study, structural…

Focuses on new technological advances in the design process and especially the use of new materials to construct architectural marvels. Discusses the innovations of Le Corbusier, Mies van de Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Includes a student quiz and possible student outcomes. (JOW)

Presents a unit on designing and building a bridge. (YDS)

This module provides information on materials destruction (through corrosion, oxidation, and degradation) and failure. A design brief includes objective, student challenge, resources, student outcomes, and quiz. (SK)

This article provides information on the evolution of the building material, concrete, and suggests hands-on activities that allow students to experience concrete's qualities, test the heat absorbency of various ground surface materials, discover how an area's geology changes, and search for city fossils. A reproducible activity sheet is included.…

Describes the geometric concepts involved in two construction tools used in ancient Egypt. A level is used to make a construction horizontal, and the plumb level is used to make a construction vertical. (MDH)

Presents a science unit in which students design and test a sample of concrete and later redesign it to improve the strength of their sample under compression. (YDS)

A list of materials and construction instructions are provided for making a Buzz Stick and Question Box, an inexpensive, technologically advanced teaching device that serves to reinforce classroom instruction with a self-correcting, independent activity. Any activity that uses a multiple-choice format is appropriate for the device. (JDD)

Explains how to use the AppleWorks spreadsheet application for estimating labor, time, and materials costs in the construction industry. (SK)

This module, a laboratory supplement on the theory of bending and properties of sections, is part of a first-year, postsecondary structural science technical support course for architectural drafting and design. The first part of this two-part supplement is directed at the instructor and includes the following sections: program objectives; course…

Instructions are given for working with a class on building kites. Included are the plans for a bullet kite, a section on the history of kites in America and spin-off activities from the kite exercise. (SA)

This packet consists of the instructor outline and trainee manual for a craft orientation course. The instructor outline provides a course overview that includes the following: target audience, outline of instruction for the 8-hour course, instructor notes (content, methods, supplies, list of references, list of handouts, and equipment/materials…

A technique is described whereby the center of an irregularly shaped object can be determined. Several activities are suggested that require the use of a piece of cardboard mounted at its center of gravity. (SA)

This packet consists of the instructor and trainee manuals for two courses: practices and procedures of mason tending I and II. The instructor manual for mason tending I contains a schedule for a 40-hour, 5-day course and instructor outline. The outline provides a step-by-step description of the instructor's activities and includes answer sheets…