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Blow-and-Go Parachute
Learners make a skydiver and parachute contraption and launch it. They see that the drag created by air resistance slows the descent of skydivers as they travel back to Earth.

Breaking Beams
Learners investigate stress and strain by designing, building, and testing beams made from polymer clay.

Gumdrop Dome
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In this activity (located on pages 23-24 of the PDF), learners are introduced to structural engineering and encouraged to practice goal-oriented building.

Exploring the Solar System: Mission to Space Board Game
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In this tabletop board game, players will represent a team of scientists and engineers sending a spacecraft on a mission to space.

Whirling Windmills
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In this activity, learners are challenged to design and construct a windmill to harness the power of wind.

Roving on the Moon
Add to list DetailsIn this design challenge activity, learners build a rubber band-powered rover that can scramble across the room.

DNA From an Onion
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In this genetics activity, learners extract DNA from an onion, using detergent solution, a food processor, and rubbing alcohol. They will also discuss genetic engineering of plants.
Shadow Puppets
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If you have lights, cardboard, scissors, and some brass fasteners, you can make shadow puppets! Create a story-telling and design challenge for your learners with this simple and creative activity.

Balancing Sculptures
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In this activity, learners will use a variety of household and/or natural objects to design a sculpture that balances from a single point.

Bird Feeder Challenge
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In this activity, learners are challenged to build a bird feeder using recycled materials from home and are encouraged to problem solve during the extensions.

Swing in Time
Learners build and investigate pendulums of different lengths. They discover that the longer the string of the pendulum, the longer the time it takes to swing.

How Do Things Fall?
Learners engage in close observation of falling objects. They determine it is the amount of air resistance, not the weight of an object, which determines how quickly an object falls.

Cupcake Delivery
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In this design challenge, learners will create wind-powered contraptions to transport a load, such as a cupcake or another small object, and test to see if they work.

Build An Aqueduct
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In this activity, learners use the design thinking process to design and build their own aqueduct, or water bridge.

Build a Bridge
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In this activity, learners use design thinking to design and build their own bridge out of household materials including adhesives and/or connectors.

Aviary Architect
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In this activity, learners are challenged to design, build and test a birdhouse that will stay cool in the sun.