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This event guide features three related explorations in which learners investigate the following science concepts: how you design and build a structure helps determine how strong it will be; different

In this engineering design challenge, learners build an octopus-inspired suction pad that can grab an object and hold it tightly in the air.

In this engineering design challenge, learners build an air-powered spinning machine.

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.

In this engineering activity (page 5 of PDF), young learners investigate how materials and design contribute to the strength of a structure, particularly walls.

In this activity, learners will explore the dynamics of air pressure by using a candle, a cup, and a dish of water.

In this activity, learners will put together towers using building bricks, then take the tower apart and challenge themselves to use the same bricks used to build a bridge.

In this activity, learners build bridges using paper and explore how much weight each bridge design can support.

In this activity, learners build bridges and cantilevers in a series of "building out" challenges with straws and pins.

In this activity, learners make bridges using an oil-based modeling clay (plasticene). The instructions include discussion questions for both before and after bridge building.

In this activity, learners make or use pre-made clay beams to scale and proportion. Specifically, they discover that when you scale up proportionally (i.e.

In this activity, learners explore atoms as the smallest building blocks of matter. With adult help, learners start by dividing play dough in half, over and over again.

Learners design, build, and test models of "dragon boats" made from up to three milk cartons.

In this activity, learners explore what makes a boat float and sink. They examine and test various objects to determine why objects float or sink.

In this activity learners will build roller coasters and test them using small balls or marbles.

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.

In this activity, learners will build ramps and test how the laws of physics apply do different objects. Learners will explore physics and cause and effect through this activity.

In this activity, learners will explore the water cycle by creating a small atmosphere.

In this engineering design challenge, learners make a bird and then control its flight with attached strings.

Learners discover that soap can be used to power a boat. Learners make a simple, flat boat model, put it in water, and then add a drop of detergent at the back of the boat.