Mechanical Engineering Teacher Resources

Make solutions to projectile motion problems magically appear using equations. Pupils watch a clip from a Harry Potter movie and find the length of time it takes for a remembrall to fall into Harry's hands. They use a projectile motion...

There are no tricks here! Young scholars learn about the concept of centripetal acceleration by studying the design of the snowboarding half pipe. A video lesson describes how the half pipe design affects the motion of the boarders.

Have your class use compasses to try to find the magnetic field around an electric current. Groups use the same technique to visualize magnetic fields as they did in the second activity in the series, but this time, the field is...

Individuals discover how to draw cubes on triangle-dot paper. They use cubes to build structures and draw corresponding isometric drawings on dot paper in the second lesson of the series of five. The activity also introduces the concept...

The last segment of the nine-part unit makes a connection between springs and linear equations. Groups hang weights from the spring and measure its length. Then, using the data collected, they calculate the slope to find the k-value...

Linear equations are all about form. The fifth part in a unit of nine works with the different equivalent forms of linear equations. Class members become familiar with each form by identifying key aspects, graphing, and converting...

It is not always easy to walk the straight and narrow. In the sixth portion of a nine-part unit, groups actively recreate a graph depicting motion. Individuals walk toward or away from a motion detector while trying to match a given...

Scholars connect statistical analysis with flexible electric circuits. They first learn about flexible circuits and their applications through a PowerPoint presentation and then consider how the fabrication process for these circuits...

Do flexible circuits change dimensions during fabrication? Groups use GeoGebra software to measure the length of pictures of flexible nano-circuits. To determine if the circuits change dimensions, future engineers use Microsoft...

Magnetic micro-robots aren't just really cool, they have some potential practical purposes. An episode from the Veritasium introduces learners to the micro-robots and their possible future roles in biomedicine. Actual footage of the...

What difference does rotation make when it comes to lifting a mass over your head? Sometimes, it makes all the difference! Young physicists observe this concept in a gravity-defying video by Veritasium. The resource shows the...

Learners investigate a waterwheel and the physical properties of energy.  In this waterwheel lesson students create a model waterwheel and calculate the amount of power produced. 

Pupils examine where energy comes from and how it can be used.  In this solar energy instructional activity students explore different aspects of the sun. 

Learners study the International Space Station and space exploration.  In this space travel lesson students describe the different types of engineers that contribute to space travel.

Students examine the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non renewable energy sources.  In this engineering lesson students explain what it means for a house to be "off the grid".

The Diary of a Wimpy Antenna? In the last installment of a six-part series, your class constructs a model of a radio antenna and tests its torque. Pupils use the results to design a better model that resists bending and twisting forces.

Torque--a teachable moment? Here's a lesson on torque (or moment) and variables that include size, reinforcement, structural bracing, and material that affect torque.

Students develop an invisible security system to protect a mummified troll.  In this security system activity students view a portion of Mythbusters and begin their challenge.

Students study Hooke's Law and stress-strain relationships.  In this spring lesson students create a strain graph in Microsoft Excel.

Students calculate the square root of a given number using carpenter's square measurements. In this math instructional activity, students relate this method on the Pythagorean theorem. They answer practice problems after the exploration...

Students make spinners to investigate rotational inertia, rotational speed, angular momentum, and velocity. They make two sets of spinners that have different mass distributions and shapes. They complete a worksheet while experimenting...

Second graders explore different engineering careers. For this math lesson, 2nd graders create a winning cooking recipe. They role play a mock cookie sale during the culminating event.

Students differentiate between a relation and a function. In this algebra lesson plan, students identify a pair of coordinates as being a relation or a function. They analyze graphs for function as they solve word problems.

Students participate in activities simulating various disabilities. After discussions, they work in teams to devise or improve on adaptive devices for people with disabilities. They include drawings of the tools they design and explain...