PBS
Inspector Detector
How do spacecraft detect magnetic fields? The fourth installment of a five-part unit has learners develop a device with magnets that allows for the detection of magnetic fields. They use a map of an imaginary planet to try out their...
Curated OER
Bridge Building
Students design and build their own balsa wood model bridges. The technological development of bridges, the science principles that apply to bridge building, and the construction techniques and skills necessary for creating a bridge be...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Telescoping Periscope
Ahoy, matey! Here is an engineering expedition that mini mariners are sure to be swept away by! After reading a brief description and history of periscopes, they work in crews to construct one. Use this activity to enhance a lesson on...
Curated OER
Travel Mug Design
Students create and develop a travel mug. They create visuals and a three dimensional infomercial. They apply an engineering design and demonstrate knowledge of thermodynamics involved in heat transfer. They illustrate Newton's Law of...
Curated OER
Design Project: Sensitive Audio Detector
In this physics learning exercise, students answer 5 conceptual questions about the sensitive audio detector they built. They analyze the component of their circuit.
Curated OER
Design Project: Sensitive Microphone Amplifier
In this physics worksheet, students construct and test an amplifier circuit given a schematic diagram. They answer 2 short answer questions about the circuit they constructed.
International Technology Education Association
Launch a Frisbee into Orbit!
How fun it must be to play Frisbee in space! That is just what a NASA engineer gets to do, and you can learn how, too. Follow the instructions provided in this informational article to create your own satellite launcher. Afterward,...
Curated OER
Construction Technologies: Construct the Strongest Bridge
Middle schoolers investigate how engineers use different types of bridges for different places. In small groups they design and construct bridges for three different scenarios, and answer a series of investigating questions applied to...
Curated OER
Aerospace Engineering
Learners explore oil field applications of Shape Memory Alloys. In this engineering lesson plan students divide into groups and research mini research applications then complete a project.
Curated OER
Jet Engine Magazine
Students explore physics by creating a magazine cover in class. In this flight lesson, students identify the motion and force that must be generated in order for a jet engine to lift off the ground. Students create a cover for a...
Curated OER
Chemical Engineering: Volcanoes
Students study volcanoes using a chemical engineering project. In this volcanoes activity, students create a model town and discuss the properties of a volcano. Students then make a volcano using a chemical engineering format for their...
Rochester Institute of Technology
Biomechanical Hand
In 1993, five biomedical engineers in Edinburgh, Scotland, created the first functional bionic arm. In the activity, learners explore the world of bioengineering through discussion and hands-on exploration. In groups, participants...
Curated OER
Twig Construction: Recycled Materials
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...
Curated OER
Paper Suspension Bridges: You Want Me To Go Up There?
A few class periods will be required to complete this physics investigation with your high schoolers. There is an unavailable video written into the lesson plan, but there is plenty of material here to bridge the gap. Two terrific...
Teach Engineering
Introduction to Water Chemistry
What are the issues surrounding water quality? Viewers of this short presentation gain information about the importance of clean water, the lack of fresh water, water contamination, and ways that engineers treat water.
US Department of Energy
Geothermal Energy
With Earth Day quickly approaching, as well as many science fairs, why not challenge your class to investigate geothermal energy or other renewable energy resources? There are five driving questions explored in depth here, as well as...
Curated OER
Junkyard Wars: Air Movers
Young scholars study Rube Goldberg machines. In this investigative lesson plan students design and build a machine that uses several steps to move an aluminum can.
Curated OER
Engineers for a Sustainable World
Students experiment with making a water filtration system. In this engineering lesson, students get into groups and are challenged to use only eight items to create a water filter. When finished, students compare and contrast their results.
Curated OER
Introduction of Careers in Technical and Engineering
Ninth graders explore career opportunities in technology and engineering. In this engineering lesson, 9th graders design plans and build machines to perform tasks.
Curated OER
The Dirty Water Project
Students investigate different methods (aeration and filtering) for removing pollutants from water. They design and build their own water filters. Students identify the pollutants in a water sample using sight and smell, explore what...
Curated OER
Time for Design
Students are introduced to the design process used in engineering. They compare and contrast this process with the steps followed in the scientific method. Students then participate in a brainstorming session that asks them to design a...
Curated OER
Carve That Mountain
Students investigate major landforms (e.g., mountains, rivers, plains, hills, oceans and plateaus). They build a three-dimensional model of a landscape depicting several of these landforms. Once they have built their model, they act as...
Curated OER
TE Activity: Environmental Interactions
Students design a web that shows the interactions between the living and non-living parts of the environment. They determine what an environment is and how engineers work together to solve problems. They complete a tally chart that they...
Curated OER
Technology: Recipes Around the World
Learners research international cuisine and create Web pages based on them. Once they have organized their findings, they demonstrate their research with a multimedia presentation. The project concludes with a party using food ...