Website
Other

Niagra College Canada: The Newcomen Steam Engine

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the evolution of Thomas Newcomen's steam engine development. Provides several photographs and sketches of Newcomen's machines.
Lesson Plan
Other

Detroit Institute of Arts: Think Like an Engineer

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this STEAM lesson plan, students 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.
Handout
Open Door Team

Open Door Web Site: Chronology of the Development of Steam Power 1696 1839

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Empire That Was Russia, Photographic Record Recreated

For Students 9th - 10th
The digital revival of the glass plate images of the Russian Empire on the eve of World War I by photographer Sergei Mikhaylovich Prokudin-Gorskii. Very interesting from both historical and technological points of view.
Handout
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: James Watt

For Students 9th - 10th
The Scottish instrument maker and inventor James Watt had a tremendous impact on the shape of modern society. His improvements to the steam engine were a significant factor in the Industrial Revolution, and when the Watt engine was...
Graphic
Curated OER

Engines of Ingenuity: Steam Engines in England

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting historical account of the development of the steam engine. Provides pictures of the earliest of steam engines.
Graphic
Curated OER

History of the Steam Engine

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Graphic
Curated OER

History of the Steam Engine

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Fulton's Submarine

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the technological and political conditions which led to Robert Fulton's invention and development of the submarine. Includes some biographical information and some graphics of early submarine sketches. (Text is the actual radio...
Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Inventing the Riverboat

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of Robert Fulton's and Henry Shreve's contribution to the evolution of the steamboat. Includes photos of early steamboats and some biographical information on Fulton. (Text is the actual radio transcript of a syndicated...
Graphic
University of Virginia

University of Virginia: Corliss Steam Engine

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: West Virginia Public Broadcasting: West Virginia: Steam & Inspiring West Virginians

For Students 9th - 10th
West Virginia STEAM is a learning module with a series of videos designed to inspire middle and high school students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. They are produced by West Virginia...
Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Engineering Behind Levi's Stadium

For Students 9th - 10th
Through its engineering and design, Levi's Stadium has aimed to provide the best fan experience of all of the stadiums and has changed the dynamics of live sporting events.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: John Fitch

For Students 9th - 10th
An unsung jack-of-all-trades built America's first steam-powered boat, envisioning open access to the new nation's natural resources.
Website
Other

The Industrial Revolution: Changes in Society

For Students 9th - 10th
A guided website which covers the major aspects of the Industrial Revolution from about 1750 until 1830. Areas such as industry, agriculture are explored.
Handout
BBC

Bbc: Bitesize History: The Industrial Revolution: Causes

For Students 6th - 8th
An overview of historians' views of the causes of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and of the inventions, inventors, and industries that propelled it.
Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: George Westinghouse

For Students 3rd - 8th
This brief article on the life and contributions of George Westinghouse (1846-1914) includes a picture. Read about his air brake as well as his development of the alternating current system.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: What in the World Is That?

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Rise of American Industry

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
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...
Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Statesman Robert R. Livingston

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
Website
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Steam Turbine

For Students 9th - 10th
A steam turbine is defined at Applied Thermodynamics. The individual steps of a steam turbine engine are illustrated and explained.
Activity
Hunkins Experiments

Hunkin's Experiments: Steam Power

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
Other

California State Railroad Museum: Central Pacific Railroad No. 1: Gov. Stanford

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this resource to learn about the steam engine, Gov. Stanford, which was used in many roles on the Central Pacific Railroad line.
Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Elijah Mc Coy

For Students 9th - 10th
According to this article, Elijah McCoy (1844-1929 CE) is one of the most prolific inventors in American history. Read about his parents who escaped slavery by traveling on the Underground Railroad and about his invention, the automatic...