Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 60

The Squeeze is On
Source Institutions
Each group of learners uses everyday materials, such as paper, toothpicks, and tape to design and construct a structure intended to support the weight of a cinder block for 30 seconds.

Building Tetrahedral Kites
Source Institutions
Working in teams of four, learners build tetrahedral kites following specific instructions and using specific materials.

Dinosaur Breath
Through discussion and hands-on experimentation, learners examine the geological (ancient) carbon cycle.

Move That Lighthouse!
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how engineers work in a team to solve problems.

Popsicle Bridge
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how engineering has impacted the development of bridges over time, including innovative designs and the challenge of creating bridges that become landmarks for a cit

Wet Pennies
Source Institutions
Learners initially test to see how many drops of liquid (water, rubbing alcohol, and vegetable oil) can fit on a penny.

Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor?
Source Institutions
Each learner chews a piece of gum until it loses its flavor, and then leaves the gum to dry for several days.

Energetic Musical Instruments
Source Institutions
Learners design and create musical instruments from common objects; their challenge is to create an instrument that can make three different tones.

Critical Load
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the concepts of structural engineering and how to measure the critical load, or the maximum weight a structure can bear.

Keep-a-Cube
Source Institutions
In this activity, challenge learners to keep an ice cube from completely melting in 30 minutes. Learners engineer a box or wrap to prevent an ice cube from melting.

DIY Weather Vane
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will engineer their own weather vane. This activity includes step-by-step instructions with pictures and a "What's Happening?" section explaining how the activity worked.

Engineer an Aeolipile
Source Institutions
In this engineering design challenge, learners build an air-powered spinning machine.

Bouncing Balloons
Source Institutions
In this sports-themed engineering activity, learners create super bouncy balls out of balloons. Learners brainstorm, test their designs, and share results.

Building Tall
Source Institutions
In this engineering activity (page 2 of PDF), young learners investigate how a wide base can make a building more stable. Learners use blocks or boxes of different sizes to construct stable towers.

Deep Sea Diver
Source Institutions
In this ocean engineering activity, learners explore buoyancy and water displacement. Then, learners design models of deep sea divers that are neutrally buoyant.

Mechanical Grabber
Source Institutions
In this engineering activity, challenge learners to make a "grabber" that can pick up trash. Learners use simple materials to create pinchers that can grab small items.

Gumdrop Dome
Source Institutions
In this engineering activity, learners construct sturdy geodesic structures out of gumdrops and toothpicks. Use this activity to explore engineering principles as well as sturdy shapes and triangles.

On Target
Source Institutions
In this design challenge activity, learners modify a cup so it can carry a marble down a zip line and also drop it onto a target.

As Straight as a Pole
Source Institutions
In this engineering activity (page 3 of PDF), young learners investigate how a pole can be made stable by “planting” its base in the ground or adding supports to the base.

Twirling in the Breeze
Source Institutions
In this engineering activity, learners build a device (an anemometer) to measure how fast the wind is blowing.