Using spaghetti and marshmallows, students experiment with different structures to determine which …
Using spaghetti and marshmallows, students experiment with different structures to determine which ones are able to handle the greatest amount of load. Their experiments help them to further understand the effects that compression and tension forces have with respect to the strength of structures. Spaghetti cannot hold much tension or compression; therefore, it breaks very easily. Marshmallows handle compression well, but do not hold up to tension.
Make Stuff Move wants students to use tools and everyday materials to …
Make Stuff Move wants students to use tools and everyday materials to learn and develop hands-on skills in building and being creative while solving problems. STEM/STEAM is great but it is even better when tools are involved!
Students explore methods employing simple machines likely used in ancient pyramid building, …
Students explore methods employing simple machines likely used in ancient pyramid building, as well as common modern-day material transportation. They learn about the wheel and axle as a means to transport materials from rock quarry to construction site. They also learn about different types and uses of a lever for purposes of transport. In an open-ended design activity, students choose from everyday materials to engineer a small-scale cart and lever system to convey pyramid-building materials.
Students learn how the sun can be used for energy. They learn …
Students learn how the sun can be used for energy. They learn about passive solar heating, lighting and cooking, and active solar engineering technologies (such as photovoltaic arrays and concentrating mirrors) that generate electricity. Students investigate the thermal energy storage capacities of test materials. They learn about radiation and convection as they build a model solar water heater and determine how much it can heat water in a given amount of time. In another activity, students build and compare the performance of four solar cooker designs. In an associated literacy activity, students investigate how people live "off the grid" using solar power.
Through an introduction to the design of lighting systems and the electromagnetic …
Through an introduction to the design of lighting systems and the electromagnetic spectrum, students learn about the concept of daylighting as well as two types of light bulbs (lamps) often used in energy-efficient lighting design.
In this activity, students design an innovative human shelter that is inspired …
In this activity, students design an innovative human shelter that is inspired and informed by an animal structure. Each group is assigned an animal class, and they gather information about shelters used by the animals in that class. After researching the topic and brainstorming ideas, students build small prototypes (models) of the structures. Finally, they present their products, explaining what attribute of the animal structure influenced their design.
Students take a hands-on look at the design of bridge piers (columns). …
Students take a hands-on look at the design of bridge piers (columns). First they brainstorm types of loads that might affect a Colorado bridge. Then they determine the maximum possible load for that scenario, and calculate the cross-sectional area of a column designed to support that load. Choosing from clay, foam or marshmallows, they create model columns and test their calculations.
This art history video discussion examines Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's "Seagram …
This art history video discussion examines Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's "Seagram Building", 375 Park Avenue, New York City (1958). Note: In the video I call Le Corbusier a French architect. This is somewhat reductionist since he was born in Swizerland and became a French citizen in 1930.
This build works out to be useful in two ways; flinging stuff …
This build works out to be useful in two ways; flinging stuff and drumming on stuff. The overall concept is to increase the inertia of the moving servo by quickly snapping the cable tie to flick the arm. The mechanics of this build is modeled after a foot pedal used in a drum kit.
The flinging aspect is just fun. Fling coins, buttons and ping-pong balls. When using the animation recording feature of the Animate Shield, beats can be recorded an looped including adjusting the speed.
SKILLS + GOALS Construction -Build the project following assembly instructions Music -Animate a beat Carpentry -Basic carpentry principals and hardware Coding -Learn about using delays in code to control movement timing & More!
** kits available for purchase at makestuffmove.com**
Build a mechanical flower that opens up when there is light. This …
Build a mechanical flower that opens up when there is light. This flower uses a few interesting mechanical movements including a push-pull cable to convert rotational movement into a linear movement for a flexible stem. Then the movement is converted back to rotational pivot points to open and close the pedals. The use of the binder clips also means that you are free to create your own flower petals.
SKILLS + GOALS Construction - Build the project following assembly instructions Carpentry - Basic carpentry principals and hardware Art + Design - Create and design your own flower petals Coding
So, let me ask you the question: How often do we let …
So, let me ask you the question: How often do we let students “work the problem” in our schools and classrooms?
Do we give students a chance to figure it out on their own or in a small group? Do we challenge them to solve a challenge in a fixed amount of time? Do we let them struggle and fail to the point where they have to work the problem and find a solution?
With PL - Now every student was “working their own problem” and stumbling, struggling, and fighting to find a solution of how to learn, make, create, and launch an idea out into the world.
“The Martian” is a great example of working the problem. He has to use a multitude of 21st Century Skills, along with his team, and the people back on Earth to work together to survive and get him home.
This art history video discussion examines Francesco di Giorgio Martini's (attributed), Architectural …
This art history video discussion examines Francesco di Giorgio Martini's (attributed), Architectural Veduta, c. 1490, oil on poplar (Gemaldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin).
This art history video discussion examines Michelangelo's "Laurentian Library" (vestibule and reading …
This art history video discussion examines Michelangelo's "Laurentian Library" (vestibule and reading room), begun 1524, opened 1571, San Lorenzo, Florence.
This art history video discussion examines Michelangelo's "The Slaves" (commonly referred to …
This art history video discussion examines Michelangelo's "The Slaves" (commonly referred to as the Dying Slave and the Rebellious Slave), marble, 2.09 m high, 1513-15 (Musee du Louvre, Paris).
As students learn about the creation of biodomes, they are introduced to …
As students learn about the creation of biodomes, they are introduced to the steps of the engineering design process, including guidelines for brainstorming. Students learn how engineers are involved in the design and construction of biodomes and use brainstorming to come up with ideas for possible biodome designs. This lesson is part of a series of six lessons in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.
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