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Cardboard Automata are a playful way to explore simple machine elements while creating a mechanical sculpture.

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

In this activity, learners build a figure that moves and "comes to life" when they pull its string.

This lesson focuses on two simple activities that younger learners can do to gain an appreciation of nanotechnology. First, learners measure their hands in nanometers.

Learners explore the Bernoulli effect by building an airfoil (airplane wing) and making it fly.

In this geology and engineering activity (page 7 of the PDF), learners build an earthquake simulator, then use it to test various building designs, exploring different materials, shapes, and design op

The goal of this activity is to build a miniature bobsled that is either the fastest or the slowest. Learners use recycled materials to design, build, and test their bobsled on a bobsled track.

This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under GEMS Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into technology design and testing.

In this design activity, learners create a vehicle that can transport a load, like a favorite toy or as a recycled object, from the top of a zipline to the bottom using only gravity.

In this activity, learners build a kite out of paper, change it, and try to make it fly even better. With their new knowledge of kite making, students can then go on to create their own kite designs.

In this activity, learners simulate the process of DNA fingerprinting by using electricity to separate colored dyes.

In this Engineering Design Challenge activity, learners will use balloons to investigate how a multi-stage rocket, like that used in the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission, can propel a sat

In this activity, learners explore trebuchet design. Teams of learners construct trebuchets from everyday materials.

In this activity, learners explore accuracy and precision.

In this design challenge activity, learners build a shock-absorbing system that will protect two “astronauts” when they land.

The goal of this activity is to design the fastest sailboat or one that carries the most treasure.

In this activity, learners review the history of gumball machines and explore potential and kinetic energy, while working in teams to build a gumball slide.

In this activity, learners build scaled-down structures and cantilevers in a series of "building out" challenges with bamboo skewers and tape.

In this activity, learners make an electromagnet motor to demonstrate the most basic method of changing electrical energy into mechanical energy.

In this activity, learners explore how product design differences can affect the success of a final product -- in this case a bag for holding candy.