| Falling Water |
Students drop water from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. They see how varying the height from which water is dropped affects the splash s... ... moreStudents drop water from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. They see how varying the height from which water is dropped affects the splash size. They follow good experiment protocol, take measurements, calculate averages and graph results. In seeing how falling water can be used to do work, they also learn how this energy transformation figures into the engineering design and construction of hydroelectric power plants, dams and reservoirs. ...less |
4 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
Math |
50 minutes |
3 |
US$ 0.25 |
| Fancy Feet |
Students use the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem — shoe engineering! Working in small teams, students design, build and test a pair of wearable platform or high-heeled shoes... ... moreStudents use the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem — shoe engineering! Working in small teams, students design, build and test a pair of wearable platform or high-heeled shoes, taking into consideration the stress and strain forces that it will encounter from the shoe wearer. They conclude the activity with a "walk-off" to test their shoe designs and discuss the design process. ...less |
7 (6-8) |
Colorado (2005):
Math
Science |
60 minutes |
2 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Fascinating Friction! |
In this activity, students use wood, wax paper and oil to investigate the importance of lubrication between materials and to understand the concept of friction. Using wax paper and oil placed between ... ... moreIn this activity, students use wood, wax paper and oil to investigate the importance of lubrication between materials and to understand the concept of friction. Using wax paper and oil placed between pieces of wood, the function of lubricants between materials is illustrated. Students extend their understanding of friction to bones and joints in the skeletal system and become aware of what engineers can do to help reduce friction in the human body as well as in machines. ...less |
3 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
Math |
45 minutes |
2 |
US$ 2.00 |
| Faucet Flow Rate |
This activity allows students to determine the flow rate of a faucet in gallons per second (gps) as well as cubic feet per second (cfs) at three different levels (quarter blast, half blast, and full b... ... moreThis activity allows students to determine the flow rate of a faucet in gallons per second (gps) as well as cubic feet per second (cfs) at three different levels (quarter blast, half blast, and full blast). By recording how long it takes to fill a gallon jug the students calculate the flow rate in gallons per second. They average three trials for each faucet level and convert their results from gps to cfs. This activity requires the use of the Engineering Our Water Living Lab. ...less |
6 (5-8) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
Math |
50 minutes |
3 |
US$ 0.00 |
| Faulty Movement |
In this activity, students are introduced to faults. They will learn about different kinds of faults and understand their relationship to earthquakes. The students will build cardboard models of the three different types of faults as they learn about how earthquakes are formed. |
4 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science |
50 minutes |
2 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Feel the Stress |
Working individually or in groups, students explore the concept of stress (compression) through physical experience and math. They discover why it hurts more to poke themselves with mechanical pencil ... ... moreWorking individually or in groups, students explore the concept of stress (compression) through physical experience and math. They discover why it hurts more to poke themselves with mechanical pencil lead than with an eraser. Then they prove why this is so by using the basic equation for stress and applying the concepts to real engineering problems. ...less |
9 (6-10) |
Missouri (2004):
Math
Science |
50 minutes |
1 |
US$ 0.50 |
| Find It! |
In this activity students will learn the basic concept of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) using triangulation and measurement on a small scale in the classroom. Students discover how GPS and navigati... ... moreIn this activity students will learn the basic concept of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) using triangulation and measurement on a small scale in the classroom. Students discover how GPS and navigation integrate mathematic and scientific concepts to create a standard for locating people and objects. This activity helps students understand both the need for and methods of navigation. ...less |
4 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
Math |
50 minutes |
3 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Find Your Own Direction |
In this activity, students create their own simple compass using thread, needle and water in a bowl — and learn how it works. |
7 (6-8) |
Colorado (2009):
Science
Math International Technology Education Association-ITEA STL Standards (2000):
Technology |
45 minutes |
2 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Finding Food in the Amazon |
In this activity, the students will investigate a variety of plants and animals common to the Amazon through research. They will determine the plant or animal characteristics that make them edible or... ... moreIn this activity, the students will investigate a variety of plants and animals common to the Amazon through research. They will determine the plant or animal characteristics that make them edible or useful for the trip and learn to categorize them by comparing similarities and/or differences. ...less |
5 (5-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science |
60 minutes |
3 |
US$ 0.00 |
| Fish-Friendly Engineering |
Students further their understanding of the salmon life cycle and the human structures and actions that aid in the migration of fish around hydroelectric dams by playing an animated PowerPoint game in... ... moreStudents further their understanding of the salmon life cycle and the human structures and actions that aid in the migration of fish around hydroelectric dams by playing an animated PowerPoint game involving a fish that must climb a fish ladder to get over a dam. They first brainstorm their own ideas, and then learn about existing ways engineers have made dams "friendlier" to migrating fish, before being quizzed as part of the game. ...less |
4 (3-5) |
Colorado (2009):
Science International Technology Education Association-ITEA STL Standards (2000):
Technology |
30 minutes |
1 |
US$ 0.00 |