NASA
Build a Relay Inspired by Space Communications
Learn how the professionals at NASA send information across space. Engineers use a microdevice, laser pointer, and mirrors as relays to model data transmission in space. Scholars program a microdevice to detect light received and test...
Curated OER
Energy and Work: Transformation through Engines
Young scholars are introduced to the concept of thermodynamics. In groups, they participate in experiments in which they discover how potential energy converts into kinetic energy. They use the internet to research the components of a...
Curated OER
Engineering Pop-Ups
Students create pop-up books in order to explore how force is applied. In this engineering lesson plan students identify and define forces in their environment. Students communicate their understanding of forces and engineering through...
Curated OER
Broken Bones
After reading about biomedical engineering and properties of materials, collaborative groups design a cast for setting a broken bone. They test for stability and mass, and then communicate their invention by creating a poster. This...
Curated OER
TE Activity: Broken Bones
Students examine the discipline of biomedical engineering or bioengineering. They complete worksheets by participating in reading background information and completing a hands on activity. They design a prototype of a cast to set a...
Curated OER
Keep in Touch: Communications and Satellites
Students investigate how satellites help people communicate with others far away and in remote areas. They discuss a scenario of someone travelling to an area with no mode of communication, observe a teacher demonstration, and create a...
TryEngineering
Rescue Rover
Students explore how rescue devices are made and used. For this rescue lesson students design and build their own rescue device then test it.
Curated OER
Robo-Lobster
Introduce environmental science or engineering explorers to different forms of sampling. They read an article about "Robo-lobsters," lobsters being studied to help design robots that can used to sniff out pollution in ocean waters. The...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Radio Reception and Transmission
After reading about radio transmission, application, and the difference between AM and FM, small teams of engineers use a kit to construct an FM radio and then send and receive broadcasts. This is an ideal activity for middle school STEM...
Curated OER
Energy and Work: Transformation Through Engines
Students conduct a webquest on an energy source they chose. In this physics lesson, students design an experiment to determine the factors affecting potential and kinetic energy. They calculate speed and create distance vs. time graphs.
Curated OER
Building Big and Strong
Middle and high schoolers explore the concepts of architectural rigidity. They analyze a variety of polygons, and explain why some shapes add more strength to structures than others. The PBS video, "Building Big," is utilized in this plan.
Curated OER
The Crash Scene
Fifth graders explore geography by participating in a mapping activity. In this engineering instructional activity, 5th graders identify the differences between latitude and longitude and practice locating precise points on a globe or...
Curated OER
Solar History
Using the sun's light as a source of energy is not a new concept. Give your environmental studies, engineering, or physical science class this list of how humans have used solar energy throughout history. Assign groups a certain time...
Curated OER
Art in Engineering - Moving Art
Students study how forces are applied in the creation of art. They design mobiles and pop-up books while identifying which forces of nature act upon them. They look at air currents, gravity, and hand movement.
Curated OER
In the Mix
Students construct a water filter. In this engineering lesson, students discover how to construct a water filtration system. Students work in groups to sort tools by their properties. Students analyze and construct a water filtration...
Curated OER
Building Bridges
Students identify the different types of bridges. Using the internet, they research information on how they are built by completing a scavenger hunt. Locating a specific area, they determine which type of bridge would be appropriate and...
Curated OER
Charlotte's Web
Students create a small web to communicate a message to someone. They examine the types of spiders and how they make their webs. They design and create their own web with their message inside.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Pollution Patrol
Students design and build an outdoor air pollution detector, test their designs, and communicate their results. In this investigative instructional activity students work in teams to design their detectors and use everyday items to do...
Curated OER
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Sixth graders explore potential and kinetic energy. In this science lesson plan, 6th graders assume the role of a roller coaster engineer and design a roller coaster. Students use their knowledge of kinetic and potential energy to design...
Curated OER
Testing the Caverns
Middle schoolers build model caverns using paper mache or clay and bury them in a tray of sand. They test the models by dropping balls onto them to simulate an asteroid hitting the earth. They evaluate the effectiveness of a structure...
Curated OER
Technology Tackling Biofilms
Students use their knowledge of biofilms to design a model of a new toothbrush to tackle dental biofilms. In addition, they evaluate the product, and communicate the process of the technological design.
Curated OER
TE Activity: The Boxes Go Mobile
Young scholars create a mobile of boxes and cubes that they made in a previous instructional activity that can be accessed from this page. They design the mobile using method that an engineer would use to balance the items based on...
Curated OER
Solar System
Students create and present PowerPoint presentations on certain aspects of our Solar System. The Nettrekker search engine is used for researching the information. Students can then add music and graphics to enhance their presentations.
Curated OER
Build and Test
Students display what they have learned about bridges as they construct their bridge. They present their projects to the rest of the class. They compare and contrast the construction of the bridges.