Modeling is an important step in the engineering process. In this activity, students create a model of an object of their choice using LEGOs (plastic building blocks), giving them skills and practice in techniques used by professionals. Students sketch as they build their objects. This activity facilitates a discussion on models and their…

After reading the story "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary, students build an alarm system for something in the classroom as the main character, Leigh, does to protect his lunchbox from thieves. Students learn about alarms and use their creativity to create an alarm system to protect their lockers, desk, or classroom door. This activity uses a…

Based on a hypothetical situation that aliens have invaded Earth and humans must relocate to another planet, students design a shelter that can be built on another planet to insure their survival. Students research the characteristics of a planet of their choice and consider how to get to that planet from Earth, determine which five items that…

In this activity, students look at different types of fabric and their respective individual properties. Using a magnifying glass and sandpaper, students test the weave and wear quality of sample fabrics. By comparing the qualities of different fabrics, they are able to better understand why there are so many different types of fabric and…

This introductory activity explores the advantages of different roof shapes for different climates or situations. It addresses questions such as "When you walk or drive around your neighborhood, what do the roofs look like?" and "What if you lived in an area with a different climate, how would that affect the style of roof that you might find?"…

In this activity, students design and create a LEGO (plastic building blocks) structure to house and protect a temperature sensor. The structure is left in a safe spot and the temperature is regularly checked and charted. This activity uses a time frame of 45 minutes. (Author/SOE)

One of the best ways to learn how something works is to take it apart, look at the pieces, and see how they are connected. In this activity, students disassemble and analyze a click pen and investigate the technology it uses. This activity requires a 30-minute time period for completion. (Author/SOE)

Being able to recognize a problem and design a potential solution is the first step in development of new and useful products. In this activity, students create a device to get that pesky itch in the center of the back. Once the idea is thought up, students produce a design schematic (sketch). Students are given a variety of everyday materials and…

In this activity, students learn how paper is made by working together to make their own paper. Students are introduced to the concept of recycling: what it is, its importance, and how it affects their lives. This activity is uses a time frame of 40 minutes. (Author/SOE)

In this activity, students learn about composite materials, tension as a force, and how they act on structural components through the design and testing of a strip of plastic chair webbing. This activity requires a 60-minute time period for completion. (Author/NB)

One of our most valuable and often overlooked resources is water. We can survive for a couple of weeks without food but only a few days without water. Having clean water to drink is a luxury. The water that comes out of our faucets does not always start off safe to drink. Most often it has visited a treatment plant prior to reaching our glasses.…

When asked to list some strong materials, people think of steel, concrete, and wood. In this activity, students learn about the force of compression and how it acts on structural components through a hands-on group problem. Using everyday products such as paper, toothpicks, and tape, students construct a structure that will support the weight of a…

Students work in pairs or small groups to identify and categorize various objects. One student is blindfolded and the other student chooses five objects for his/her partner to identify. The blindfolded student has to describe and try to identify the object based solely on touch. Both students then record their data, describing the objects first as…

Many of today's popular sports are based around the use of a ball yet none are alike. In fact, they are all designed with specific characteristics in mind. In this activity, students investigate different balls' ability to bounce and represent the data they collect graphically. This activity uses a time frame of 100 minutes. (Author/SOE)

Depending upon the climate, the features of a house will be different to satisfy particular needs: hot, cold, windy, and/or rainy weather. In this activity, students investigate different types of roofs found on various houses in different environments throughout the world. Books and photos are used to provide information. Models of the houses are…