Embedded Files
April
April
Bioplastics
Bioplastics
April 22 is Earth Day. On Earth Day we are reminded of how precious our Earth is to us and all of the resources that it provides for us. On this day, we also recognized the responsibility that we have to take care of our Earth and its resources.
April 22 is Earth Day. On Earth Day we are reminded of how precious our Earth is to us and all of the resources that it provides for us. On this day, we also recognized the responsibility that we have to take care of our Earth and its resources.
One of the major problems we have in our world is the amount of plastics that we use. Everything from plastic bottles to plastic silverware and even plastic bags, all of these items get put into our environment and then can cause problems. Engineers are working on trying to replace these types of plastics with materials that are biodegradable, or that can more easily be decomposed. In this activity, you will learn how to create a more Earth friendly bioplastic. For information and materials for this activity, please click on the link.
One of the major problems we have in our world is the amount of plastics that we use. Everything from plastic bottles to plastic silverware and even plastic bags, all of these items get put into our environment and then can cause problems. Engineers are working on trying to replace these types of plastics with materials that are biodegradable, or that can more easily be decomposed. In this activity, you will learn how to create a more Earth friendly bioplastic. For information and materials for this activity, please click on the link.
March
March
Simple Robots
Simple Robots
Who doesn't love a project that spins and moves? In this engineering project, you will be creating simple robots with materials that you can find around your house. You will need a couple of specialized materials, a battery and a motor, to make your robot move. Once you are able to create your circuit, the possibilities for the robots you can create are endless! Click on the video link to watch some of the simple robot projects that can be created. Click here for further materials and instructions. Happy engineering!
Who doesn't love a project that spins and moves? In this engineering project, you will be creating simple robots with materials that you can find around your house. You will need a couple of specialized materials, a battery and a motor, to make your robot move. Once you are able to create your circuit, the possibilities for the robots you can create are endless! Click on the video link to watch some of the simple robot projects that can be created. Click here for further materials and instructions. Happy engineering!
February
February
Designing A Water Filter
Designing A Water Filter
When you get thirsty, what do you do? You can turn on the sink and get a nice cup of clean water. Most of the time, we do not have to worry about the water that comes out of our sink. We know that it is safe for us to drink. However, what happens when there is an issue with our water? In some places where major flooding or other problems have occurred, people might have to boil their water before they can use it. This makes simple things like taking a shower, cooking, and brushing our teeth more difficult. But what about people who live in places where there is not much clean water? One of the major global problems that engineers are working on is making sure that everyone has access to clean water. In this activity, you are going to build your own water filter to see how you can make dirty water clean!
When you get thirsty, what do you do? You can turn on the sink and get a nice cup of clean water. Most of the time, we do not have to worry about the water that comes out of our sink. We know that it is safe for us to drink. However, what happens when there is an issue with our water? In some places where major flooding or other problems have occurred, people might have to boil their water before they can use it. This makes simple things like taking a shower, cooking, and brushing our teeth more difficult. But what about people who live in places where there is not much clean water? One of the major global problems that engineers are working on is making sure that everyone has access to clean water. In this activity, you are going to build your own water filter to see how you can make dirty water clean!
In this activity, you can use a 2-liter bottle to form the structure for your water filter. Then you get to choose from a variety of different filter materials to see which material makes the best filter. You can use materials such as gravel, sound, cotton balls and coffee filters. For materials and instructions on how to make your own water filter, click here.
In this activity, you can use a 2-liter bottle to form the structure for your water filter. Then you get to choose from a variety of different filter materials to see which material makes the best filter. You can use materials such as gravel, sound, cotton balls and coffee filters. For materials and instructions on how to make your own water filter, click here.
In this activity from Teach Engineering, you will design your own water filter from materials commonly found around your house.
January
January
Designing A Snow Sled
Designing A Snow Sled
It's January which means we can look forward to cooler temperatures and SNOW!!! So what better engineering design project for January than to design a snow sled. In this activity, a remote village in the Swiss Alps has had their supplies cut off from them because of an earthquake that damaged a main road into the village. Using supplies you can find around your house, can you design a sled that can carry cargo to this remote village? Check out the video to see some ideas on sled design. For complete instructions on this activity, click here.
It's January which means we can look forward to cooler temperatures and SNOW!!! So what better engineering design project for January than to design a snow sled. In this activity, a remote village in the Swiss Alps has had their supplies cut off from them because of an earthquake that damaged a main road into the village. Using supplies you can find around your house, can you design a sled that can carry cargo to this remote village? Check out the video to see some ideas on sled design. For complete instructions on this activity, click here.
Check out the video and instruction from Teach Engineering on designing a Swiss Alps Emergency Sled.
December
December
Building A
Building A
Gingerbread House
Gingerbread House
It's already December and what better engineering activity to do in December than to build a gingerbread house! This gingerbread house is a little more difficult for you Christmas engineers out there because you will be using graham crackers. In order to build this gingerbread house, you will need to cut your graham crackers to size. Being the Christmas engineer that you are, don't just stop at the house! See what other structures you can build using your graham crackers. Check out the video to see instructions on how to cut the graham crackers, how to assemble the house, and how to make rock hard icing to hold your house together!
It's already December and what better engineering activity to do in December than to build a gingerbread house! This gingerbread house is a little more difficult for you Christmas engineers out there because you will be using graham crackers. In order to build this gingerbread house, you will need to cut your graham crackers to size. Being the Christmas engineer that you are, don't just stop at the house! See what other structures you can build using your graham crackers. Check out the video to see instructions on how to cut the graham crackers, how to assemble the house, and how to make rock hard icing to hold your house together!
November
November
Design A Catapult
Design A Catapult
The best engineering activities are those where you get to launch something into the air! Right? For this activity, you will design a catapult from materials you can find around your house to launch either candy or a small projectile as far as you possibly can! Doesn't that sound like so much fun! Catapults were first used during early warfare to launch heavy projectiles long distances. Can you design a catapult that launches your projectile a really long distance or maybe your catapult is able to hit a target every time. No matter how you design your catapult, get building and get launching! For instructions and tips on how to build your catapult click here. For a design worksheet click here.
The best engineering activities are those where you get to launch something into the air! Right? For this activity, you will design a catapult from materials you can find around your house to launch either candy or a small projectile as far as you possibly can! Doesn't that sound like so much fun! Catapults were first used during early warfare to launch heavy projectiles long distances. Can you design a catapult that launches your projectile a really long distance or maybe your catapult is able to hit a target every time. No matter how you design your catapult, get building and get launching! For instructions and tips on how to build your catapult click here. For a design worksheet click here.
Source: Teach Engineering
Check out this video on different catapult designs.
October
October
Balloon Powered Cars
Balloon Powered Cars
If you look around your house, you will probably find many recyclable items just laying around. Why not use these items to create a fun, balloon powered car? Using a pop bottle, straw, balloon and old CDs, or any other creative items you can find, you can create a car that can move with wind power! Check out the link here for instructions and watch the video for some ideas! See how far your wind powered car can move!
If you look around your house, you will probably find many recyclable items just laying around. Why not use these items to create a fun, balloon powered car? Using a pop bottle, straw, balloon and old CDs, or any other creative items you can find, you can create a car that can move with wind power! Check out the link here for instructions and watch the video for some ideas! See how far your wind powered car can move!
Source: Activity from PBS Design Squad
September
September
Newspaper Table
Newspaper Table
Can something as flimsy as a newspaper hold a heavy book? Of course it can! If you use your engineering skills to make it strong. In this challenge, you will use several sheets of newspaper to try to create a table that can hold a heavy book. Once you have conquered the heavy book, test out your engineering skills and see if you can design a table that will hold even more weight! Click Newspaper Table Challenge
Can something as flimsy as a newspaper hold a heavy book? Of course it can! If you use your engineering skills to make it strong. In this challenge, you will use several sheets of newspaper to try to create a table that can hold a heavy book. Once you have conquered the heavy book, test out your engineering skills and see if you can design a table that will hold even more weight! Click Newspaper Table Challenge
Page updated
Report abuse