Curated OER
The Engines of Our Ingenuity: Count Rumford
A transcript, from a syndicated radio broadcast, that discusses the life and scientific accomplishments of Count Rumford. An anecdotal account of Rumford's contribution to our understanding of heat. Contains a good deal of biographical...
Hunkins Experiments
The Secret Life of Machines
An entertaining site that communicates ideas through cartoon drawings. Discover how simple machines and gadgets operate, such as fax machines and washing machines.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Airplanes: Designing for Stealth
Explore this NOVA: "Battle of the X-Planes" interactive activity to see how engineers have modified a military plane's sound, shape, and heat emissions to minimize detection.
Other
Applied Thermodynamics: Diesel Cycle
The P-V diagram for a diesel cycle is provided and discussed at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. The steps of the thermodynamic cycle are labeled (and defined elsewhere). An equation for thermal efficiency is given.
Other
Granta Design Limited: Glossary of Materials Attributes
From the Cambridge Engineering Selector web site. Contains a lengthy list of definitions of a variety of material properties related to solid strength and elasticity (and more). Definitions are accompanied by equations and metric unit...
Climate Literacy
Clean: Solar Water Heater
Student teams design and build solar water heaters to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy. Once the model devices are constructed, students perform efficiency calculations and compare designs.
Other
Unit conversion.org: Online Unit Converter
Need a unit converter? Links to the most common converters provide access to the answers you need quickly.
PBS
Pbs: Proportional Scaling
Examine some of the complexities and complications inherent in the development of a micro engine. This video focuses on how MIT researchers have to consider proportions comparing volume and surface area when factoring heat loss, taking...
Other
Terc: Catching Sunshine
A hands-on challenge to build a solar collector to investigate how much the air temperature inside the collector goes up. Site includes information for teachers and students. Teachers page include time requirement, materials needed, the...
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Pioneers: David Nelson Crosthwait
A profile of David Nelson Crosthwait (1898-1976), an African-American electrical and mechanical engineer. He was considered an authority on heat transfer, ventilation and air conditioning.
Curated OER
Porch Glider
Being able to withstand heat and cold is a need shared by rich and poor alike. The author of this speech to the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides an anecdotal history of climate...