In this multi-day activity, students explore environments, ecosystems, energy flow and organism …
In this multi-day activity, students explore environments, ecosystems, energy flow and organism interactions by creating a scale model biodome, following the steps of the engineering design process. The Procedure section provides activity instructions for Biodomes unit, lessons 2-6, as students work through Parts 1-6 to develop their model biodome. Subjects include energy flow and food chains, basic needs of plants and animals, and the importance of decomposers. Students consider why a solid understanding of one's environment and the interdependence of an ecosystem can inform the choices we make and the way we engineer our own communities. This activity can be conducted as either a very structured or open-ended design.
Student teams creatively construct mobiles using hangers and assorted materials and objects …
Student teams creatively construct mobiles using hangers and assorted materials and objects while exploring the principles of balance and center of mass. They build complex, free-hanging structures by balancing pieces with different lengths, weights, shapes and sizes.
Students design, build and test reflectors to measure the effect of solar …
Students design, build and test reflectors to measure the effect of solar reflectance on the efficiency of solar PV panels. They use a small PV panel, a multimeter, cardboard and foil to build and test their reflectors in preparation for a class competition. Then they graph and discuss their results with the class. Complete this activity as part of the Photovoltaic Efficiency unit and in conjunction with the Concentrated Solar Power lesson.
Students use simple household materials, such as PVC piping and compact mirrors, …
Students use simple household materials, such as PVC piping and compact mirrors, to construct models of laser-based security systems. The protected object (a "mummified troll" or another treasure of your choosing) is placed "on display" in the center of the modeled room and protected by a laser system that utilizes a laser beam reflected off mirrors to trigger a light trip sensor with alarm.
In this two-part activity, students design and build Rube Goldberg machines. This …
In this two-part activity, students design and build Rube Goldberg machines. This open-ended challenge employs the engineering design process and may have a pre-determined purpose, such as rolling a marble into a cup from a distance, or let students decide the purposes.
This Super Lesson utilizes Project Based Learning to assist learners with designing, …
This Super Lesson utilizes Project Based Learning to assist learners with designing, building, and testing flying contraptions as an introduction to Engineering. The goal of this project is to engage students in collaborative team work and to introduce students to the Science and Engineering Practices: Asking Questions and Defining Problems, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, and Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions.
We have offered this Super Lesson as an 8-week elective course, developing and strengthening student interest in applied Math and Science topics. It could also be offered within upper elementary or middle school Science and Math courses. In addition, each week’s topic could be used as a stand alone mini-lesson if time is limited. We have worked to include multiple options within this unit to make it accessible to both general education and special education programs, including recommendations for modifications and extensions.
Students learn about the engineering design process and how it is used …
Students learn about the engineering design process and how it is used to engineer products for everyday use. Students individually brainstorm solutions for sorting coins and draw at least two design ideas. They work in small groups to combine ideas and build a coin sorter using common construction materials such as cardboard, tape, straws and fabric. Students test their coin sorters, make revisions and suggest ways to improve their designs. By designing, building, testing and improving coin sorters, students come to understand how the engineering design process is used to engineer products that benefit society.
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make …
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier. Students are introduced to the six types of simple machines the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley in the context of the construction of a pyramid, gaining high-level insights into tools that have been used since ancient times and are still in use today. In two hands-on activities, students begin their own pyramid design by performing materials calculations, and evaluating and selecting a construction site. The six simple machines are examined in more depth in subsequent lessons in this unit.
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make …
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier, and which people have used to provide mechanical advantage for thousands of years. Students learn about the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw and pulley in the context of the construction of a pyramid, gaining insights into tools that have been used since ancient times and are still important today. Through numerous hands-on activities, students imagine themselves as ancient engineers building a pyramid. Student teams evaluate and select a construction site, design a pyramid, perform materials calculations, test a variety of cutting wedges on different materials, design a small-scale cart/lever transport system to convey building materials, experiment with the angle of inclination and pull force on an inclined plane, see how a pulley can change the direction of force, and learn the differences between fixed, movable and combined pulleys. While learning the steps of the engineering design process, students practice teamwork, creativity and problem solving.
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!
Working as a team, students discover that the value of pi (3.1415926...) …
Working as a team, students discover that the value of pi (3.1415926...) is a constant and applies to all different sized circles. The team builds a basic robot and programs it to travel in a circular motion. A marker attached to the robot chassis draws a circle on the ground as the robot travels the programmed circular path. Students measure the circle's circumference and diameter and calculate pi by dividing the circumference by the diameter. They discover the pi and circumference relationship; the circumference of a circle divided by the diameter is the value of pi.
Analog meters are all around us!. They are used to visually represent …
Analog meters are all around us!. They are used to visually represent measurements and data. One of the most common analog meters is the fuel needle in a car. This converts a reading of the fuel level in the tank to an empty to full reading on the meter.
In this build, we will use one servo to build an electronically controlled meter. We will first simply use the knob on the control the board to move the needle converting the knob position to movement of the needle. Then, a sound sensor will be connected to convert sound level (ie music) to a meter reading. This will make it what is commonly known as a “VU-meter”
SKILLS + GOALS Carpentry - Use of basic tools and hardware Construction - Following visual assembly instructions Code - Understand math/code behind converting input readings to output readings (meter) & more!
** Kits are available for purchase at makestuffmove.com **
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
Inchworms are so simple in their movement which makes it a fun …
Inchworms are so simple in their movement which makes it a fun challenge to build and animate their movement. The inchworm shifts its weight during its "pinching/folding" to push the front and pull the back.
SKILLS + GOALS Construction -Build the project following assembly instructions Carpentry -Basic carpentry principals and hardware Animation -Learn how to animate a single cycle of movement to create continuous movement. & More!
** Kits are available for purchase at makestuffmove.com **
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