The description is filled in here for aqueduct
Keyword Search
Edu. Standards Search
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Advanced Search Tips to improve your search
not logged in
Add to MyTE | View PDF

Curricular Unit: Asteroid Impact

Contributed by: Adventure Engineering, Colorado School of Mines


Grade: 7 (6-8)


Summary

Asteroid Impact is an 8-10 class long (350-450 min) earth science curricular unit where student teams are posed with the scenario that an asteroid will impact earth. They must design the location and size of underground caverns to save the people from uninhabitable earth for one year. Driven by this adventure scenario, student teams (1) explore general and geological maps, (2) determine the area of their classroom to help determine the cavern size required, (3) learn about map scales, (4) test rocks, (5) identify important and not-so-important rock properties for underground caverns, and (6) choose a final location and size. The unit also reinforces a number of math, reading and writing standards.


Engineering Connection

Engineers work in teams to invent and develop solutions to problems. Using the engineering design process, they first identify and define the problem or challenge. They gather appropriate information and conduct research to learn about the topics related to the problem, and they brainstorm and propose multiple possible solutions. Engineers then evaluate the various possible solutions and select one that best meets the criteria for success. Testing is often used to verify that the proposed solution will solve the problem or challenge. The Asteroid Impact unit provides a project framework in which student teams become engineering teams to design underground caverns using the engineering design process.


Keywords: Asteroid, Engineering


Related Subject Areas

Related Lessons

Related Activities

Supporting Program

Adventure Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

Last Modified: April 22, 2010
K12 engineering curriculum K-12 engineering curricula K12 engineering curricula K-12 engineering activities K12 engineering activities K-12 engineering lessons K12 engineering lessons Engineering for children Engineering activities for children K-12 science activities K12 science activities K-12 science lessons K12 science lessons linker Are you a bot?
Use of the TeachEngineering digital library and this website constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.