Remote Tech Ed Activities
Scroll through and find an activity that sounds interesting!
Share your results with Mr. Keating by sending him a picture of your project!
Walking Paper Animals!
Walking Paper Animals!
You guys, this is going to be awesome!
This weeks challenge is to design and make some paper animals to race.
Make, test, and design your own! Make them GO!!!
First, watch these videos to get an idea of what we're doing...
Now it's time to collect our materials and tools! Here's what you'll need...
Paper or thin cardboard for animal
something to make a slope with
Pencil/pen
Ruler
scissors
Next, either use the dimensions in the images below or use some from one the videos to create your own animal!
Measure carefully!
Cut carefully!
Fold n' go!
Now...
Test your animal!
Can you make it faster? Slower?
Add some weight in different places.
Change the lengths of the legs or head. Does it make a difference?
HAVE FUN and Happy Trails!
Let's Go Boating!
Let's Build Boats!
This week we will be looking at what makes a boat...well, a boat!
How do they float?
What shapes work? What shapes don't?
Do certain materials work better?
How much cargo can your boat carry?
Can you make your boat move using wind?
The rules are simple!
Check out the videos below for some introductory research.
Start your testing space small. Like in a sink or tupperware. No need to take to seas before we know these things work!
Experiment with several shapes and several materials. Hint > some work WAY better than others.
Once you have something that floats on its own, there are 2 directions to go with this challenge.
Cargo. How much can your boat carry without sinking. I like using pennies for this. Can you design a $1 boat?
Movement. Can you design a sail that enables your boat to move on its own? (you'll need to provide a little breeze by blowing). BUT...say you can get it to move, how with you keep it going straight???
Materials list...
You won't need everything on this list, but you might find some of it helpful in your nautical adventures this week.
Aluminum foil
Straws
Sheets of paper
Pennies
Tape
Cling wrap
Small tupperware
And anything else you think of along the way!
And GOOGLE! There are SOOOO many great ideas for these boats out there. Check it out!
So, why do boats float in the first place?
The aluminum foil boat!
If you think you're really good at this...
Here's an idea for an obstacle course for your boats!
Tower Time!
It's Tower Time!
This is week is pretty straight forward. Or is it?
We're going to run three variations of this challenge
Try each variation with a few times, each time trying to challenge yourself even more!
Like everything we do, you probably won't succeed on the first try. AND that's ok! What really matters is that you keep trying and be patient with yourself as you improve your skills.
Variation # 1
Single material, how tall can you go?
Choose a SINGLE building material from around your house.
This can be ANYTHING, but it can only be ONE type of material.
Build as high as you can. Compare several different materials. Which can go highest? What are each material's limiting factors...what causes them to eventually fail?
Variation # 2
5 unique objects, heaviest on top!
Choose 5 unique objects that range in weight and shape.
Remember, each object must be different from the others and it will be helpful if one if clearly heavier than the others.
Stack as high as you can, but, THE HEAVIEST OBJECT MUST GO ON TOP!
Variation # 3
Can you build a leaning tower?
You'll need a single material for this.
And you'll want a reliable stacking material as well, so do the first two variations first to learn about the materials you've got around you at home.
Each step of the way must include a horizontal offset...the means that each new item in the stack must slide over from the previous piece. It can be a subtle move, but it's gotta move!
How tall can you go?
Thank you Mr. Goldberg!
It's Time for Machines!
This week we are going to take a look at the work of Mr. Rube Goldberg.
AND we're going to try to make a our own Rube Goldberg machines!
Reuben Garrett Lucius Goldberg, known best as Rube Goldberg, was an American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer, and inventor. Goldberg is best known for his popular cartoons depicting complicated gadgets performing simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways.
He was born on July 4, 1883, in San Francisco, California.
You're going to want to watch this first!
So...where do I start?
Well, it helps to have a goal. Like, what is the machine actually trying to do for me? Here are some ideas...
Drop a bar of soap in your hand
Ring a bell
Turn on or off a light switch
Or...simply build a machine that successfully completes all of its components start to finish.
The big idea...
...is that this machine makes use of several unique operations that run in sequence to achieve a final goal. Some ideas could include...
A row of dominoes
A teeter/totter or fulcrum of some kind
A wheeled object that gets pushed or pulled
String and simple pulleys
Random objects around the house that you've repurposed!
Here's the thing...
It's probably not going to work on the first try.
Actually it's probably not going to work on the second try either.
But that's ok.
This project will take PATIENCE. But, I promise, you'll love it!
And now the Nitty Gritty details
Pick a smart place to work. And this means a spot that you can leave this machine assembled for several days. So...not in the middle of your living room floor.
Try to include at least 5 unique oppertations in your machines.
Remember, gravity is your friend.
Google! You guys, there are soooooo many ideas online for these machines. Dive in and search for "Rube Goldberg Machine"
Don't give up! Doing these projects are well worth the time it takes to do them well.
Send me a video or picture of your creations!
Amazing!
Incredible!
Unreal!
Working with Nature
Engineering in Nature!
Let's get outside!
Let's get our hands dirty!
Let's build amazing things!
Will everything work on the first try? NO!
Is that an issue? NO!!!!
Tripod Challenge
Use three sticks to create a tripod that supports a stone.
What techniques seem work best?
How big of a stone can you support?
Woven Wall
Can you weave with natural objects?
How tall and how long of a woven wall can you create?
Can you force your wall to turn a corner?
Stacked Stones
You've seen plenty of these along rivers and trails, but have you ever tried to build one?
What methods seems to work best?
Build an Inukshuk
Research the history of the Inukshuk.
What are they?
Who built them?
And why were they used?
Build a stone arch
If you can!
This is some seriously tricky stuff.
How do you think you'd start?
Will you need any other materials or supports along the way?
Which stone goes in last?
Wooden arch
If you're not challenged yet, try this one out!
Can you build an arch out of wood that supports your own weight?
> Just don't try building this one over a huge cavern that you might fall into if your bridge fails!
Share what you've made!
I'd love to see your creations! Use the link in the left sidebar to get me a picture or video of your engineering marvels!
Bridge It!
We're building bridges!
This week is all about getting from point A to point B. And really doing it anyway you can. But the question is, how much weight can your design hold and how will you improve it through trial and error?
What you'll need...
A site. Where will your bridge go? Hint...try for smaller spans first...like 8" to 12". We can get bigger once we've got a handle on what we're going.
Paper. At least 5 sheets to start with. Get creative...cereal boxes, newspaper, old magazines, etc.
Abutments. The two things that support either end of the bridge.
Weight. Pennies are my favorite because you can slowly and predictably add weight. But anything will work. Just make sure that each unit of weight is pretty minimal...like...instead of using grapefruits, try using paper clips.
The important stuff...
Start simple. Establish a baseline of performance that you're planning on improving from. Most of the time, this starts with a guess. Design what you THINK the bridge should look like .
Test and tweak. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Use the video resources below to help you design the coolest and strongest bridge you can!
The BIG questions...
How much can your bridge hold?
How far can your bridge span?
How can you achieve your best results with as few materials as possible? > Hint...this is where it gets super fun!
Paper bridge tips
What makes bridges strong?
Paper bridge examples
Sooo, you built a paper bridge. Now what?
What other materials can you build a bridge out of?
What else can you span?
Let's take our skills outside!!!
Can you build a bridge that will support your own weight???
Flight!
The Paper Airplane Challenge!
This challenge is two fold.
First...you're being tasked with building an awesome paper airplane. And that's just plain fun.
Second...and here's where it gets really fun. You need to design an airplane that can carry cargo.
Everything you need to be successful is in the link to the left. Dive in and have fun!
Cardboard Building Challenges!
Here's how it works.
1) Scroll through the slideshow above. Check out the awesome examples and videos...there's a ton to choose from!
2) Consider what you'd like to build. Ask yourself some important questions. Like...
a) What materials will I need? Do I have those materials? What can I substitute for materials I don't have?
b) What's unique about my design? What features will I include and why?
c) And since I'm doing this project on my own, how will I troubleshoot difficulties as they arise?
3) Start building and don't hesitate to contact Mr. Keating for help!
4) When you're done, share a picture or two of your finished project here!
Additional Resources. Pick a topic and dive in!
2D Design
3D Design
Coding
Engineering