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In this activity, learners explore work, forces, simple machines, and construction. This lesson guide includes simple ways to demonstrate these principles as well as hands-on activities.

In this quick activity (page 2 of PDF under GPS: Lava Flow Activity), learners will model how large depressions near the top of a volcano are formed by using an inflating and deflating balloon submerg

In this activity, learners explore how pens have been engineered and re-engineered over time. Learners work as a team to develop a working pen out of everyday items.

In this activity, learners explore how parachutes are used to slow down moving objects. Learners work in teams of "engineers" to design and build their own parachutes out of everyday items.

In this activity, learners build mini-basketball courts and explore the laws of physics. Learners discover that everything you throw or shoot on earth travels in a parabola.

In this kinesthetic activity, learners will play a game with a ball to demonstrate the Coriolis force, which partly explains why hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere rotate counterclockwise.

In this activity, learners explore the engineering behind seismographs and how technology has improved accurate recording of earthquakes.

In this team design challenge (page 2-10 of PDF), learners design and build a model of a Lunar Transport Rover that will carry equipment and people on the surface of the Moon.

Learners explore magnetism and motion as they build a simple marble run. Learners test different arrangements of plastic and cardboard tubes, bottles, and cups on a magnetic board.

Build a catapult that transforms the potential energy of a twisted rubber band into kinetic energy. Experiment with design variations so that you can hit a target with a projectile.

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

In this engineering activity, learners explore simple machines and then build cardboard automata using cams.

Engineer and cartoonist Rube Goldberg is famous for his crazy machines that accomplish everyday tasks in overly complicated ways.

The "Rocket Reactions" activity is an exciting way to learn about how materials interact, behave, and change.

Working in small teams, learners try to build a satellite that can float for at least five seconds in the marked area of a vertical wind tube.

In this activity, learners are challenged to design and build a system of gears and kinematics to create a hand-stamping machine.

In this activity, learners build a simple tabletop seesaw to test how different variables (the position of the fulcrum, distance, weight) affect its balance under increasing weight loads.

In this physics activity, challenge learners to make and race a balloon-powered car. Learners construct the body out of a paper cup, wheels out of wooden spools. and fuel tank out of a balloon.

In this activity, challenge learners to make a pencil stand on its tip using only two pieces of wire and two clothespins. Use this activity to demonstrate the center of gravity.

In this activity, learners discover how NASA engineers develop experimental aircraft.