This fascinating museum exhibit is on how the development of the steam engine has impacted the lives of many people over the last two hundred plus years.

Find out about the men who pioneered the development of the steam engine and the engines that they developed.

This collection uses primary sources to explore the steam engine and transportation in the nineteenth century.

In this textbook unit, students learn the reasons why the Industrial Revolution took root in England first, and the innovations that made this possible. These included textile inventions such as the flying shuttle and the spinning jenny,...

A virtual exhibition on the history of steam power, with animated images of the first steam engines. Covers the history of coal mining and engine building by millwrights and engineers, and gives biographical information about early...

From the Smith College Museum of Ancient Inventions website. Description of Heron's invention of the aeolipile - a precursor to the steam engine. Includes a graphic depicting a replica of the device.

Describes the evolution of Thomas Newcomen's steam engine development. Provides several photographs and sketches of Newcomen's machines.

In this STEAM lesson, middle schoolers are immersed in a world of transportation design as they use the design thinking process to create their own vehicle prototype out of everyday materials.

This complete chronology of steam power is designed in time line fashion. Next to each year is a detailed description of the invention. Another useful aspect of this site is the "Link to the decades," found at the top of the page. Each...

An interesting historical account of the development of the steam engine. Provides pictures of the earliest of steam engines.

From the Engines of Ingenuity web site. A lengthy page discussing ingenuity and invention as it pertains to steam engine history. Very anecdotal and interesting. Includes biographical information and interesting details about Hero of...

From the Engines of Ingenuity web site. A lengthy page discussing ingenuity and invention as it pertains to steam engine history. Very anecdotal and interesting. Includes biographical information and interesting details about Hero of...

This essay from the University of Virginia provides an incredible graphic of the Corliss steam engine as shown at the America's Centennial Exposition, held in Philadelphia in 1876. Includes some descriptive text.

Can you match the picture to the correct invention? Read about these inventions and the importance of them. Also included are related sites to find further information about each invention.

The Industrial Revolution came to America, smuggled in by Samuel Slater, who brought plans for a cotton-spinning mill. See how the growth of industry led to the growth of corporations, the growth of the nation geographically, and the...

Documents many of the important events in the life of Statesman Robert R. Livingston. Outlines his accomplishments, and provides two photographs and and an illustration of important pieces.

A steam turbine is defined at Applied Thermodynamics. The individual steps of a steam turbine engine are illustrated and explained.

Hunkin's Experiments is a group of simple cartoon illustrations of scientific principles. Some would work well in the classroom, but others have little value beyond entertaining students. All of the projects are easy to do. This one uses...

This article provides information regarding James Watts and his improvements to the steam engine in 1769.

This lesson gives a real world example of challenges and choices engineers face in their careers. The Della Steam Plant Case Study allows students to analyze and present finding about a problem found in the power plant's turbine system....

From the San Francisco 49er's Museum Education Program which promotes STEAM projects, students construct an irrigation system for the football field. The concept of engineer design is explored.

The quest for energy has always been a balancing act. As humans have gained greater control over their environment, they've found abundant resources - and faced numerous challenges. This article traces the history of our quest for energy.

This resource covers the changing of America due to the Industrial Revolution which brought in not only new technology but also opened the door to reform movements. From the series by Joy Hakim, "A History of Us." Includes a teacher's...

The second law of thermodynamics and the concept of entropy is applied to the topic of heat engines. The Carnot and Stirling engine are discussed. Efficiency is explained and an equation is derived.