Students investigate the ways in which ancient technologies six types of simple machines and combinations are used to construct modern buildings. As they work together to solve a design problem (designing and building a modern structure), they brainstorm ideas, decide on a design, and submit it to a design review before acquiring materials to create it (in this case, a mural depicting it). Emphasis is placed on cooperative, creative teamwork and the steps of the engineering design process.

Students make Moebius strips and use them to demonstrate the interconnectedness of an environment. They explore the natural cycles water, oxygen/carbon dioxide, carbon, nitrogen that exist within the environment.

Learn to identify different molecular shapes, to understand the interactions that create these shapes, and how to predict a molecule's shape given certain information about it. Explore these concepts using three-dimensional computer models and answer a series of questions to reinforce your understanding.

In this activity, students interact with 12 models to observe emergent phenomena as molecules assemble themselves. Investigate the factors that are important to self-assembly, including shape and polarity. Try to assemble a monolayer by "pushing" the molecules to the substrate (it's not easy!). Rotate complex molecules to view their structure. Finally, create your own nanostructures by selecting molecules, adding charges to them, and observing the results of self-assembly.

Study the motion of a toy car on a ramp and use motion sensors to digitally graph the position data and then analyze it. Make predictions about what the graphs will look like, and consider what the corresponding velocity graphs would look like.

Students are introduced to the field of biomechanics and how the muscular system produces human movement. They learn the importance of the muscular system in our daily lives, why it is important to be able to repair muscular system injuries and how engineering can help.

Students will use design thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and procedural skills to create a music mix track. This activity—which uses a tablet or smartphone and a free app—helps students develop a STEM mindset. It is important to allow students to work through the process as independently as possible with the facilitator acting only as a guide.

Estimated time required: 1 class period.

Technology required for this lesson: Audio Editing Software, Smartphone, Tablet.

NASA's Johnson Space Center is located near Houston, Texas and was constructed as "the primary center for: design, development testing of spacecraft and associated systems for human flight; selection and training of astronauts; planning and conducting human space flight missions; and extensive participation in the medical, engineering scientific experiments carried aboard space flights."

This is a Physical Science journal that supports student investgation of forces of change and nanoscale.

This teacher's edition provides suggestions for using the Nanoleap Student Journal in the classroom. Nanoleap is a Physical Science journal that supports student investgation of forces of change and nanoscale.

These NanoSense Student Materials have been designed to help high school students understand science concepts that account for nanoscale phenomena, and the principles, applications, and implications of nanoscale science.

These NanoSense Teacher Materials been designed to help teachers help high school students understand science concepts that account for nanoscale phenomena, and the principles, applications, and implications of nanoscale science.

In this video adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, find out about the discovery of a new building material, the carbon nanotube, whose physical properties could theoretically enable the creation of a 22,000-mile elevator to space.

In this video adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, find out about the discovery of a new building material, the carbon nanotube, whose physical properties could theoretically enable the creation of a 22,000-mile elevator to space. [4:29]

Several lesson plans available for grades K-8 that take a look at math and art. Each lesson includes printable resources, glossary of terms, an artist biography, and national math and visual arts standards.

Meet Carlos Barrios, a materials engineer, who shows us some of the latest engineering projects taking place at 3M. His work in adhesives can have applications to such diverse areas as medicine, sports, aerospace, and electronics. He discusses using ideas from nature in developing new materials, steps in the design process, and what the future holds for materials engineering. Learn also what education one needs in order to pursue this career. [6:46]

The National Science Foundation (NSF) celebrates its 66th year of funding groundbreaking science and engineering. [1:26]

Students learn about frequency and period, particularly natural frequency using springs. They learn that the natural frequency of a system depends on two things: the stiffness and mass of the system. Students see how the natural frequency of a structure plays a big role in the building surviving an earthquake or high winds.

Explore the sounds of nature and how they connect with music. Investigates what purpose music serves through nature and what it means.

Using new knowledge acquired in the associated lesson, students program LEGO MINDSTORMS(TM) NXT robots to go through a maze using movement blocks. The maze is created on the classroom floor with cardboard boxes as its walls. Student pairs follow the steps of the engineering design process to brainstorm, design and test programs to success. Through this activity, students understand how to create and test a basic program. A PowerPoint® presentation, pre/post quizzes and worksheet are provided.