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Showing results 1 to 19 of 19
Space Stations: Bones of Contention
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In this activity, learners make models representing bones on Earth and bones that have been in space. They discover what happens to bones without proper exercise and nutrition.
Sled Kite
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In this activity, learners build a sled kite that models a type of airfoil called a parawing.
Deep Sea Diver
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In this ocean engineering activity, learners explore buoyancy and water displacement. Then, learners design models of deep sea divers that are neutrally buoyant.
As Straight as a Pole
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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.
Designing a Wall
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In this engineering activity (page 5 of PDF), young learners investigate how materials and design contribute to the strength of a structure, particularly walls.
Achieving Orbit
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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
Construction Technologies: Construct the Strongest Bridge
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Learners work in pairs to create three simple types of bridges, a beam bridge, an arch bridge, and a suspension bridge.
Straws and Pins
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In this activity, learners build bridges and cantilevers in a series of "building out" challenges with straws and pins.
Raceways
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In this activity, learners build a model roller coaster to help the Mummy entertain the Atom's Family monsters. Learners assemble the roller coaster between two chairs using vinyl ceiling molding.
Clay Bridges
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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.
Marble Run!
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This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under SciGirls Activity: Luge) is a full inquiry-based challenge related to motion and design optimization.
Sky Glider Challenge
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In this design challenge activity, learners use two helium-filled balloons to build a blimp that can travel in a straight path across the room.
Thrill Ride
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In this activity, learners will build a roller coaster for a marble to run on using everyday household materials such as paper towel or toilet paper rolls, cups, boxes, books, buckets, chairs, etc.
Touch Down
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In this design challenge activity, learners build a shock-absorbing system that will protect two “astronauts” when they land.
Vortex
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In this activity, learners create a tornado in a bottle to observe a spiraling, funnel-shaped vortex. A simple connector device allows water to drain from a 2-liter bottle into a second bottle.
Pop Can "Hero Engine"
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In this activity, learners build water-propelled engines from soft drink cans.
Building Tall
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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.
Spaghetti Bridge
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Learners explore the field of civil engineering by making a bridge using spaghetti as their primary building material.
Crazy About Kites
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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.