Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Toxic Popcorn Design Challenge
Engineering enthusiasts are sure to explode in understanding as they practice the engineering design process (EDP). A container of "toxic popcorn" is placed in the classroom. Teams must work together to devise a method for removing it...
Trash For Teaching
The Light-House Project
Groups work together to design a lighthouse, from designing and drawing the wiring diagram, to creating prototypes of the switch and circuit, to envisioning and building a scale model along with a blueprint. By including different...
Curated OER
Destination Outer Space
Students investigate space travel. In this space travel lesson plan students examine space exploration history, engineers and scientists involved in space exploration, and Newton's third law of motion. Students make rockets.
NASA
Missed Messages
Learners investigate the challenges of space communication with a kinesthetic modeling activity. Group members In space must communicate one word to other members on Earth while overcoming barriers such as distance, gravity, and physical...
NASA
Pop Can Hero Engine
Hang a soda can from a string and watch it spin by the force created by water streaming out of slanted holes. This plan provides background information, detailed materials and procedures, discussion questions, a lab worksheet, and...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Tall Tower Challenge
A fun and challenging activity for nearly any age group, partners must work together to build the tallest structure possible using paper clips, straws, and pipe cleaners. In addition to being tall, the structure must also be able to...
NASA
Rover Races
Operating a vehicle remotely can be difficult, especially when the vehicle is on another planet. Young engineers get a feel for some of the real-world challenges as they work to program their rovers (blindfolded group members)...
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
Problem Solving Using Math
Students solve real life scenarios using algebra. In this word problem activity, students use different websites dealing with engineering as it relates to the real world and math. They use other resources such as magazines to solve word...
Curated OER
Communication -- Part Two
Learners practice on becoming an effective listener and speaking clearly. They experiment with one another in which only one student of a pair can speak.
Discovery Education
Satellite Telemetry
Satellites require rockets to launch, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand them. Future engineers learn about how satellites send data to Earth and how to interpret satellite images. They see how radio waves play a role...
Curated OER
Creating the Model
Students comprehend what has been explored in the previous earthquake engineering design lessons, by putting their designs to the test.
They are given pairs a piece of paper, and an empty plastic bottle or can. Students stand the...
Curated OER
Binary and Communication Systems
Students participate in an activity that introduces them to the concept of binary coding as a language. They decode messages using special boards that has its own code for different letters. They create new codes by rearranging wires...
Curated OER
Tools for Integrating Math and Engineering: Weighin' In
Learners collect and analyze data on a fictional cereal company's products. In this measurement lesson, students collect data from cereal boxes (weight, volume, surface area, etc.) to determine if the boxes labels correctly inform...
Curated OER
Rusted Roots
Students create a flowchart on the root cause method. In this inquiry activity, students compare RCA and the DMAIC model with the scientific method of problem solving. They investigate a problem in school and present their findings in...
Curated OER
TE Lesson: Tsunami Attack!
Students examine how earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides can trigger tsunami waves. They determine how engineers use sensors to detect the dangerous wave, and how they help design building that will survive the wave force and water.
Curated OER
Meeting in the Middle
Students view a video clip about the building of tunnels. They discover the importance of measurement and communication between groups when building a tunnel. They participate in an activity in which they must communicate with others.
Curated OER
TE Activity: Survive That Tsunami!
Learners examine the causes of tsunamis and observe a table top wave making machine. They make model houses while working in groups so that the can see how different construction types work. They discuss how engineers can design and...
NASA
Next Generation Spacecraft - Orion
Emergine space engineers discover the area of complex geometric shapes. They find that, just as a spacecraft is composed of many smaller parts, so can polygons be broken into smaller shapes.
Curated OER
Keep In Touch: Communications and Satellites
Fourth graders explore communications by reading assigned space science text. In this satellite lesson, 4th graders identify the concept of orbiting and examine gravitational pull by viewing diagrams. Students are assessed based on...
Curated OER
The Energy of Music
Students discover how engineers use sound energy. They participate in hands-on activities in which they discover how we know sound exists. They identify different pitches and frequencies as well.
Curated OER
Find It!
Students analyze the basic concept of Global Positioning Systems using triangulation and measurement on a small scale in the classroom. They describe a satellite and how it helps in locating a person on Earth. They explain how...
Curated OER
Cruising the Internet
Students identify the parts of an engine using a graph. In this statistics lesson, students make a graph from their collected data. They calculate the volume of a cylinder using a line of regression and a scatter plot.
Curated OER
Forces in a Climb
Students use a NASA website to use a given formula to find acceleration and distance after a specific time and how it relates to engine propulsion.