Curated OER
Building a Better Mousetrap
Eighth graders are introduced to the "Design Process" for technological development by constructing a prototype of a humane mousetrap. Students must record the steps their design groups go through while designing their prototypes and...
Curated OER
Prosthetic Party
Students examine human anatomy by creating a prosthetic limb. In this medical engineering instructional activity, students view numerous images of prosthetics used in science today and define several medical terms associated with...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Clipper Creations
Students create their own model of a nail clipper. They practice using engineering design and model building. They also identify different kinds of small levers.
Curated OER
Rockets on a Shoestring Budget
Students, operating under simulated budget constraints, build pop-rockets and launch them. Working in pairs, they complete budget worksheets and use their "Blast Off Bucks" to pay for the construction. They then redesign their rockets...
Curated OER
Building a Bridge
Students design a bridge. In this science lesson plan, students research different types of bridges and create a bridge using marshmallows, toothpicks and construction paper.
Tech Museum of Innovation
Human Body Exhibit
Explore human anatomy and physiology using models. Scholars study systems of the human body and design a display for a museum exhibit. To complete the activity, individuals create analogous models of their chosen human body systems.
University of Southern Indiana
Manifest Density
There's a lot content packed into the four lessons of this physical science unit on density. From salad dressing to the water cycle and hot air balloons, these lessons engage students in hands-on activities that explore real-world...
Curated OER
Design a Paraplegic Equestrian Saddle
High schoolers investigate a problem and background information including the typical capabilities /limitations of a paraplegic. They develop an understanding of the attributes of engineering design.
Curated OER
Design a Running Shoe for a Triathlete
Students examine the design and construction of athletic footwear. They analyze the magnitude and directions of forces on the foot and leg in different sports, interview people, and design a running shoe for a triathlete.
Curated OER
Creating The Blueprints
Pupils engage in a lesson in order to create blueprints to design an original floorplan. They use graphing paper and drawing tools to demonstrate knowledge of the lesson objectives. Students label and use the right kind of proportions...
Curated OER
Suspension Bridges
Students view examples of suspension bridges and discuss their structure. They complete a tension and compression experiment with a partner then perform a similar experiment with books. They discuss engineers and how they design and...
Curated OER
Stable and Unstable Structures
Students consider ways to create stable bridges. In this bridge design activity, students view pictures of bridges that have collapsed. They use the information to work in small groups creating a blueprint for a bridge of their own....
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
History of Computing – EEEEK- A Mouse!
Students examine the concepts of computer and mechanical engineering. They dissemble a computer mouse and create a new design for the mouse. They also design new enhancements for the mouse over time.
Curated OER
Smart Move!
Students visualize a communication system. They encode, decode, transmit, receive and store messages. Students use a code sheet and flashlight for this process. They will also maintain a storage sheet from which they can retrieve...
Curated OER
Concept Structures in Architecture
Students develop a creative building design. In this technology lesson, students create a model of their building using a computer software. They present their final product in class.
Curated OER
Listening Devices
Young scholars design and construct a listening device that will allow them to listen to the sound generated by specific object inside a box.
Curated OER
Pump It Up!
Learners design a pumping device that will effectively pump fluid through a model "cardiovascular system." They explore the effects of too much and too little pressure on a circulatory system.
Curated OER
Help Wanted: A Lighting Engineer For Popular Rock Group
Middle schoolers are assigned to groups, and determine each member's role in the group. They will design an experiment to determine a way to produce the three primary and five secondary colors. Students discuss color and mood. They...
Curated OER
Modeling the Process of Mining Silicon Through a Single Displacement/Redox Reaction
Learners study silicon and where it comes from. In this solar mining lesson students complete an Internet search of mining and a lab activity.
Curated OER
Problem Solve Your School
Students work together to solve a real life problem that affects their school. They follow the engineering design process to develop and test their solution. They share their ideas with the class.
Curated OER
Construction Worker Book
Students examine simple tools that are used in everyday life. In this construction worker tools instructional activity, students decide which tools should be used to solve the construction worker's problems in a manner that demonstrates...
Curated OER
Windmills: Putting Wind Energy to Work
Students review engineering design process and discuss how wind can be used to help get work done. They look at a variety of windmills, focusing on different materials used in construction of windmills.
Curated OER
Make an Alarm!
Students read the story, Dear Mr. Henshaw. They build an alarm system for something in the classroom, as the main character Leigh does to protect his lunchbox from thieves. Students explore alarms and use their creativity to create an...
Curated OER
Taking the Boat to Manaus
Fifth graders apply the concepts they know regarding mass, volume and density in the previous activities to design a boat. Student teams must make a boat which can travel the waters of the Amazon Rainforest. Each group makes a...