Construction projects of any kind require learners to use spacial reasoning, creative thinking, and critical analysis skills. They design and make a twig/leaf structure out of natural and recycled materials. This project would be great...

In this engineering instructional activity, students speak with an engineer, surveyor, or architect in their area about the various occupations in engineering and create a list that explains each. They also draw a floor plan of their...

Build an appreciation of engineering. Pupils in grades 6-8 learn about science and engineering in a set of three engaging activities. They build spinning tops, construct wind structures, and create recycled paper as part of an engaging...

Students explore the art of paper engineering and pop-up-books. They listen to a teacher-led lecture on pop-up books, discuss the process of paper engineering, and plan, design and construct an original pop-up book.

While architects and engineers don't often build with plastic straws and foam board, the same principles still apply. Challenging both the creativity and critical thinking of students, this engaging design project is perfect...

Students complete their Sparky's Engineer Activity Book. In this engineering lesson, students are guided by their teacher in completing their Sparky's Engineer Activity Book which reviews what engineers make and what tools and materials...

Secondary artists create a metal box made from copper tooling foil and solid oil paint sticks (Shiva Paintstiks). The exacting design develops organizational principles and the painted finish allows for individual expression of...

Students build three types of towers, engineering them to hold an egg one foot high for 15 seconds. They discover that engineering designs are subject to constraints such as time, money and size specifications. In this activity students...

Students work in groups to study castlers and fortresses of the world. They study pictures and models of well known castles and fortresses. Students construct a 3-D model of a castle or fortress using materials of their choice.

Aspiring aeronautical engineers demonstrate different forces as they construct and test paper airplanes. This lesson plan links you to a website that models the most effective paper airplane design, an animation describing the forces...

Kids consider how the body functions and moves, how each structure has a specific movement and purpose. They apply that idea as they construct a sculptural piece that moves. For inspiration they look to the work of Alexander Calder,...

Young scholars explore bridges.  In this bridge lesson, students design and build a suspension bridge after visiting related websites and reviewing famous bridges in non-fiction books.  Young scholars follow the instructions...

Learners engage in a lesson which takes something constructed by the class, that would be normally classified as just sound, then work together to make what can be perceived to be music. Students construct a basic stringed instrument...

Students investigate the infrastructure of modern day society by researching concrete. In this construction lesson plan, students identify the many types of concrete and the different uses they have. Students utilize construction related...

Third graders discover architecture and functionality by constructing a bridge.  In this bridge engineering instructional activity, 3rd graders utilize cardboard, straws, towel tubes and plastic bottles to create a model bridge...

Students explore geometry by completing a marshmallow activity in class. For this architecture lesson, students identify the jobs of civil engineers and architects while identifying different geometric shapes as well. Students utilize...

Students utilize Mathematical, design, and graphic skills to create a drwaing on one of the International Space Station component structures. they include top, front, and side views of their drawings, providing exact sizes, shapes,...

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.

Students explore bridge construction. In this bridge building activity, students view bridge websites and discuss how bridges are designed and built. Students design and construct their own bridge using the directions provided.

Students read and respond to science fiction literature, such as that written by Jules Verne. They research characteristics of deep-sea environments and use this information to design an underwater exploration apparatus. in addition,...

You'll be surprized at how much engineering, design, and creativity can go into a toothpick and a marshmallow. Learners make toothpick sculptures where they construct three-dimentional models by sticking marshmallows and toothpicks...

Students explore the process of construction and architecture. In this construction research lesson, students complete image based discussion activities and three related activities for architecture and design.

Students design and build original mobiles and consider how the forces of gravity and convection air currents affect the finished piece. They explore how an understanding of balancing forces is important in both art and engineering design.

Students are introduced to the space environment. This lesson covers the major differences between the environment on Earth and that of outer space and the engineering challenges that arise because of these discrepancies. In order to...