Student groups compete to design a process that removes the most iron …
Student groups compete to design a process that removes the most iron from fortified cereal. Students experiment with different materials using what they know about iron, magnets and forces to design the best process for removing iron from the cereal samples.
Students become familiar with the engineering design process as they design, build …
Students become familiar with the engineering design process as they design, build and test chair prototypes. The miniature chairs must be sturdy and functional enough to hold a wooden, hinged artist model or a floppy stuffed animal. They use their prototypes to assess design strengths and weaknesses.
Students are introduced to the "Walk the Line" challenge question. They write …
Students are introduced to the "Walk the Line" challenge question. They write journal responses to the question and brainstorm what information they need to answer the question. Ideas are shared with the class (or in pairs and then to the class, if class size is large). Then students read an interview with an engineer to gain a professional perspective on linear data sets and best-fit lines. Students brainstorm for additional ideas and add them to the list. With the teacher's guidance, students organize the ideas into logical categories of needed knowledge.
Students teams use a laparoscopic surgical trainer to perform simple laparoscopic surgery …
Students teams use a laparoscopic surgical trainer to perform simple laparoscopic surgery tasks (dissections, sutures) using laparoscopic tools. Just like in the operating room, where the purpose is to perform surgery carefully and quickly to minimize patient trauma, students' surgery time and mistakes are observed and recorded to quantify their performances. They learn about the engineering component of surgery.
At its core, the LEGO MINDSTORMS(TM) NXT product provides a programmable microprocessor. …
At its core, the LEGO MINDSTORMS(TM) NXT product provides a programmable microprocessor. Students use the NXT processor to simulate an experiment involving thousands of uniformly random points placed within a unit square. Using the underlying geometry of the experimental model, as well as the geometric definition of the constant π (pi), students form an empirical ratio of areas to estimate a numerical value of π. Although typically used for numerical integration of irregular shapes, in this activity, students use a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate a common but rather complex analytical form the numerical value of the most famous irrational number, π.
Learn about the Chandra X-Ray Observatory's telescope system, science instruments, and spacecraft …
Learn about the Chandra X-Ray Observatory's telescope system, science instruments, and spacecraft system in this interactive activity adapted from NASA.
This lesson begins with an activity in which students induce EMF in …
This lesson begins with an activity in which students induce EMF in a coil of wire using magnetic fields. Then, demonstrations on Eddy currents show how a magnetic field can slow magnets just as Eddy currents are used to slow large trains. There is then a demonstration in which a loop "jumps" because of a changing magnetic field. Finally, formal lecture reviews the cross product with respect to magnetic force and introduces magnetic flux, Faraday's law of Induction, Lenz's Law, Eddy currents, motional EMF and Induced EMF.
Similar to how Charlotte uses her web to communicate, students create webs …
Similar to how Charlotte uses her web to communicate, students create webs for short messages. They learn how spiders create their webs, and about the different types of webs they make. With this knowledge, students design and create their own webs and incorporate messages.
This lesson introduces the concepts of wavelength and amplitude in transverse waves. …
This lesson introduces the concepts of wavelength and amplitude in transverse waves. In the associated activity, students will use ropes and their bodies to investigate different wavelengths and amplitudes.
Meet Shellie, a chemical engineer for the pet food industry. She works …
Meet Shellie, a chemical engineer for the pet food industry. She works on a product development team with a variety of other technical specialists. Learn the value of other people's input to solve problems and create success. Engineering Your Future shares real stories from young professionals who want to inform and inspire students about in-demand engineering careers.
Students are introduced to chemical engineering and learn about its many different …
Students are introduced to chemical engineering and learn about its many different applications. They are provided with a basic introduction to matter and its different properties and states. An associated hands-on activity gives students a chance to test their knowledge of the states of matter and how to make observations using their five senses: touch, smell, sound, sight and taste.
Chemistry is the scientific study of matter and its interaction with other …
Chemistry is the scientific study of matter and its interaction with other matter and with energy. It is the branch of natural science that deals with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions.
In this chemistry and engineering-based activity, students will take on the role …
In this chemistry and engineering-based activity, students will take on the role of environmental engineers as they are challenged to investigate the best building materials for Mars. To kick off the exploration, they will look at concrete and other key construction materials used on Earth today, considering their properties, pros, cons, and environmental impact. Next, students will investigate the best way to build structures on Mars. They will learn about 3D printing—which is how structures are likely to be built—and they will consider the natural resources available on Mars that could serve as building materials. They will ultimately develop a recommendation to be used in Martian construction moving forward.
Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone.
Student groups are given captioned photographs of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant …
Student groups are given captioned photographs of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant facility and surrounding towns taken before and 28 years after the 1986 disaster. Based on the captions and clues in the images, they arrange them in sequential order. While viewing the completed sequence of images, students reflect on what it might have been like to be there, and ask themselves: what were people thinking, doing and saying at each point? This activity assists students in gaining an understanding of how devastating nuclear meltdowns can be, which underscores the importance of responsible engineering. It is recommended that this activity be conducted before the associated lesson, Nuclear Energy through a Virtual Field Trip.
Working in engineering project teams, students evaluate sites for the construction of …
Working in engineering project teams, students evaluate sites for the construction of a pyramid. They base their decision on site features as provided by a surveyor's report; distance from the quarry, river and palace; and other factors they deem important to the project based on their team's values and priorities.
To increase students' awareness of possible invisible pollutants in drinking water sources, …
To increase students' awareness of possible invisible pollutants in drinking water sources, students perform an exciting lab requiring them to think about how solutions and mixtures exist even in unsuspecting places such as ink. They use alcohol and chromatography paper to separate the components of black and colored marker ink. Students witness first-hand how components of a solution can be separated, even when those individual components are not visible in solution.
Students use the same method as in the activity from lesson 2 …
Students use the same method as in the activity from lesson 2 of this unit to explore the magnetism due to electric current instead of a permanent magnet. Students use a compass and circuit to trace the magnetic field lines induced by the electric current moving through the wire. Students develop an understanding of the effect of the electrical current on the compass needle through the induced magnetic field and understand the complexity of a three dimensional field system.
The Civil Air Patrol (US Air Force affiliate) has many STEM lessons …
The Civil Air Patrol (US Air Force affiliate) has many STEM lessons and kits available to educators for a one-time fee. The kits include robotics, microcontrollers, telescoopes, flight simulators and others.
Gary, a civil engineer, explains, “Civil engineers build structures, dams, roads, bridges and large environmental projects.” Learn about the career of civil engineering with this career video for aspiring engineering students. Engineering Your Future shares real stories from young professionals who want to inform and inspire students about in-demand engineering careers.
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