Eighth graders create their own cane flute. They use a model flute to gain the correct measurements and use the scientific method to construct the flute to have sound quality and pitch accuracy.

Young scholars use simple materials to design, build, and test a model of a free-standing structure used to support overhead road signs. Students view a video on the engineering design process and conduct research by observing actual...

Students examine how a building's foundation is its frame and support system. They compare the frame of a house to the skeleton of the body. They draw roofs and select flooring.

Learners build a stable car after examining the RCX. They determine how to incorporate the RCX into their design using Legos to build a car.

Students construct a bridge that can hold 100 pennies. In this math instructional activity, students evaluate the strength of their bridges. They predict how much weight a bridge can hold based on its design.

Students simulate building a Roman aqueduct using an interactive website. In this social studies activity, students design their own class aqueduct. They construct one inside the science classroom.

Students construct a sling psychrometer and they measure the relative amount of humidity in the air. They create their own experiment on how to construct a sling psychrometer and how they are going to measure the relative humidity in the...

Fifth graders read two books and hang up pictures of buildings and monuments. They create realistic flags of the United Kingdom following specific guidelines.

Students inquire into how the center of mass is the key factor in designing cars. They construct an oddly shaped object and determine its center of mass. They find that engineers are able to predict how objects will behave while they are...

Pupils build a model of a suspension bridge and test the amount of weight it support. They identify different types of bridges: suspension, arch, girder, truss, cantilever, cable-stayed and moveable.

Students examine a sculpture walkway by artist Jackie Ferrara and discuss the relationship of materials to function. They analyze the sculpture and answer discussion questions, and design and construct a model of a walkway for the school.

Students work together with a partnet to design a building. Using materials, they create the inside and outside of the structure along with works of art. They present their creation to the class and receive constructive criticism in return.

Students analyze the reasons why groups build monuments and memorials. Using the Holocaust as an example, they reflect on issues that are addressed in monuments related to it. They create a monument of their own and write an essay about...

Eighth graders are introduced to the "Design Process" for technological development by constructing a prototype of a humane mousetrap. Students must record the steps their design groups go through while designing their prototypes and...

In this technology instructional activity, middle schoolers examine the basic principles of bridge building design in order to answer the nine questions with the help of the web links on page 2.

Students study circles and problem solving. In this critical thinking lesson plan, students build a house using all of the circles given to them gluing them onto paper.

Students construct a nest for a fictitious ground-nesting bird.They create models of the bird (along with its eggs) that might theoretically live in this habitat. They write in a daily journal about what happens to their nests in a...

Seventh graders discover the historical signifigance of a landmark building. Using a series of timelines, they reflect different historical perspectives on the building. They develop a PowerPoint presentation to share their timelines...

Eighth graders perform experiments with simple machines and write up the results. They research the construction of the step pyramid and the three pyramids at Giza. Students research how the ancient Egyptians used simple machines in...

Pupils explore how to build a bridge and test how much weight it can support.

Students brainstorm and design an instrument to detect magnetic field direction. The design approximates the design included in this activity. They build a functioning magnetometer, a device for detecting the relative direction of the...

Students explore the concept of space. In this space lesson, students pretend to be aerospace engineers. Students build space ships out of cardboard tubes. Students discuss what aerospace engineers do. Students model their space ships...

Young scholars apply their math and measuring skills to create "tree trunk" panels for their tropical rain forest. They use their recorded information to construct strips of paper that are correct height.

Eighth graders, in groups, study acceleration and build an accelerometer.