Objective: Design and construct a small vehicle powered solely by wind energy.
Components:
Design: Create a blueprint for the vehicle, considering aerodynamics and stability.
Materials: Use lightweight materials like balsa wood, plastic, and fabric for the sail.
Construction: Build the chassis, attach wheels, and install a sail or propeller.
Testing: Test the vehicle's performance in different wind conditions and make improvements.
Resources:
Instructables: Wind-Powered Vehicle
Science Buddies: Wind-Powered Car
Objective: Create a working model of a wind turbine.
Components: Blade design, power generation, efficiency analysis, env impact.
Resources: KidWind Project, Wind Turbine Design Guide (TeachEngineering).
Objective: Design a system to filter and purify water.
Components: Filtration materials, flow rate, water quality testing, cost analysis.
Resources: Engineering for Change Water Filtration, TeachEngineering Water Filtration Project.
Objective: Design and build a model of a building that can withstand simulated earthquakes.
Components:
Design: Research earthquake-resistant design principles and sketch a blueprint.
Materials: Use materials such as wood, cardboard, straws, and glue.
Construction: Build the model, ensuring it has features like cross-bracing, shear walls, and base isolation.
Testing: Use a shake table to simulate earthquakes and evaluate the building's performance.
Resources:
TeachEngineering: Shake Table Project
Science Buddies: Earthquake Shake Table
Objective: Build a device powered by solar energy.
Components: Solar panel selection, circuit design, energy storage, efficiency.
Resources: Solar Car Project (PBS LearningMedia), Solar Energy Project (ScienceBuddies).
Objective: Build a simple electric motor and understand the principles of electromagnetism.
Components:
Design: Learn the basics of how an electric motor works and create a simple design.
Materials: Use materials like a battery, copper wire, magnets, and paper clips.
Construction: Wind the copper wire to form a coil, create a commutator, and assemble the motor.
Testing: Connect the motor to a battery and observe its operation, making adjustments as needed.
Resources:
Exploratorium: Build a Simple Electric Motor
Science Buddies: How to Build a Simple Electric Motor
Objective: Design, build, and launch a model rocket.
Components:
Design: Create a design for the rocket, focusing on aerodynamics and stability.
Materials: Use materials like cardboard tubes, plastic fins, and a parachute for recovery.
Construction: Assemble the rocket, ensuring secure attachment of fins and nose cone.
Launch: Conduct a launch using a rocket engine and evaluate the rocket's flight performance.
Resources:
National Association of Rocketry: Model Rocketry
Offers comprehensive engineering project ideas and lesson plans.
Provides STEM resources and projects for educators and students.
Offers a wide range of science and engineering project ideas and guides.
Science Buddies Engineering Projects
Provides various engineering project ideas and resources for students.
A platform for DIY projects, including many engineering-related projects.
Instructables Engineering
An online 3D design and modeling tool.
Tinkercad Tutorial for Beginners - YouTube
Getting Started with Tinkercad - Tinkercad
Tinkercad Basics - Autodesk
Tinkercad Tips and Tricks - Tinkercad Blog
Advanced Tinkercad Projects - YouTube
An open-source electronics platform for building digital devices.
Arduino Tutorial for Beginners - YouTube
Getting Started with Arduino - Arduino
Arduino Basics - Instructables
Arduino Tips and Tricks - Arduino
Advanced Arduino Projects - YouTube
A visual programming language aimed at kids and beginners.
Scratch Tutorial for Beginners - YouTube
Getting Started with Scratch - Scratch
Scratch Basics - Udemy
Scratch Tips and Tricks - Scratch
Advanced Scratch Projects - YouTube
A cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool for product design.
Fusion 360 Tutorial for Beginners - YouTube
Getting Started with Fusion 360 - Autodesk
Fusion 360 Basics - Udemy
Fusion 360 Tips and Tricks - Autodesk Blog
Advanced Fusion 360 Projects - YouTube
A solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software.
SolidWorks Tutorial for Beginners - YouTube
Getting Started with SolidWorks - SolidWorks
SolidWorks Basics - Udemy
SolidWorks Tips and Tricks - SolidWorks Blog
Advanced SolidWorks Projects - YouTube
Illustrated guide to how things work, with a focus on engineering principles.
A guide to hands-on engineering projects.
Introduces basic engineering concepts through DIY projects.