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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Model Rockets

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students build a model rocket. In this model rocket activity, students explore a rocket launch cycle. Students investigate the laws of physics for each part of the launch. Students build model rockets and launch at school.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Engine Types

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners identify various types of engines and how they are different.  In this engine lesson students view different types of engines using the Internet, take a quiz and type a quick write activity.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Internal Combustion Engine

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students design parts for a scale-model, internal combustion engine using software.  For this engine lesson students work in groups to assemble an internal combustion engine. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Car: American Industry and Innovation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study how an electric car operates.  In this electric car activity students assemble an electric car motor from parts from an internal combustion engine.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Engine Classification

For Students 6th - 8th
In this technology worksheet, students find the terms for the engines and how they are classified. The answers are found by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mechanical Science - Small Engine Operation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students experiment with two- and four-stroke engines. They conduct experiments to determine how atmospheric pressure affects the engine's running capability. Further tests are conducted to asses proper llubrication and its affects on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Cars Work

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students summarize the steps in the four stroke internal combustion engine. In this physics lesson, students act out the process while being videotaped. They simulate energy conversion using potato gun.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Mechanics: Word Search

For Students 5th - 8th
In this word search worksheet, learners search for terms related to auto mechanics. Terms include tools, auto parts, and general mechanic words.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Choosing the Best Hits

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students practice quickly scanning the results of an internet search to determine which might provide the best information. They choose key words or phrases to type into the search engine and read the descriptions of each hit.
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: You've Got Permission to Be a Backseat Driver!

For Students 3rd - 8th
You can see what happens to your car's fuel efficiency when it takes you downtown to see a movie, up a hill for a great view, or out for a cruise on a flat country road. This is because a car's fuel efficiency does not remain the same...
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Website
Chemistry Collective

Chem Collective: Engine Simulation

For Students 9th - 10th
This simulation allows students to interact with different components of a complex real world phenomenon. The simulation shown is of a 4-stroke internal combustion engine. The thermodynamic cycle being simulated is the Otto cycle, which...
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Handout
National Institutes of Health

National Center for Biotechnology Information: Education

For Students 9th - 10th
This link has many tools to help understand the revolutionary sciences and discoveries in genetics.
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Website
Other

Nye Thermodynamics: Basic Gas Turbine Theory

For Students 9th - 10th
Outstanding information (and a lot of it) on gas turbine (jet) engines. Describes the history behind their development and the theory behind their operation. Well written and includes very informative graphics.
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Online Course
Cosmo Learning

Cosmo Learning: The Inside Story of Modern Gasoline

For Students 9th - 10th
The inside story on gasoline as told by the Standard Oil Company. This documentary was made in 1946 and explores the molecules that make up crude oil. Learn how the crude oil molecules are separated to make up usable forms like gasoline,...
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Website
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: 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...
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Website
University of Waterloo (Canada)

University of Waterloo: Rudolf Julius Emanuel Clausius

For Students 9th - 10th
Lists the most important publications of Rudolf Clausius. Provides some biographical details. Part of a set of History of Thermodynamics course notes.
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Website
National Inventors Hall of Fame

National Inventors Hall of Fame: Rudolf Diesel

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biographical sketch of Rudolf Diesel. Describes his personal and professional interests. Also discusses the details of the first diesel engine as invented by Rudolf Diesel.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physical Science: External Combustion Engines

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Explains what a combustion engine is, its purpose, and how it works.
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Unknown Type
Physics Aviary

Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Efficiency of Cyclical Process on Pv Diagram

For Students 9th - 10th
Determine the efficiency of an engine (0 - 1) based on the PV Diagram that is presented to you.
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Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Rudolf Diesel

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting account of Rudolf Diesel and his invention of the diesel engine. The text is the actual transcript of a syndicated radio broadcast called "Engines of Ingenuity." Outstanding information on Diesel and his engine invention.
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Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Big Diesel Engines

For Students 9th - 10th
Traces the historical evolution of the diesel engine. Explains the distinction between gasoline engines and diesel engines. Discusses the uses of diesel engines. Interesting, anecdotal and well-written. (Text is the actual radio...
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Article
Other

Engine Science: Volumetric Efficiency

For Students 9th - 10th
This page discusses the science and mechanics involved in the operation of a basic four stroke engine.
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Article
Other

Engine Science: Induction Basics

For Students 9th - 10th
This page discusses the things involved with the fuel mixing in with air to produce a power output. Also include a picture of the intake system.
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Interactive
Colorado State University

Csu: Four Stroke Fuel Air Otto Cycle Gasoline (C7 H17)

For Students 9th - 10th
A Java applet which allows the visitor to investigate the physical parameters associated with the individual strokes of a 4-stroke gasoline engine. Visitors enter parameters such as exhaust temperature, fuel ratio, and ambient pressure...