| 3RC (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost) |
In this lesson, students expand their understanding of solid waste management to include the idea of 3RC (reduce, reuse, recycle and compost). They will look at the effects of packaging decisions (red...
... moreIn this lesson, students expand their understanding of solid waste management to include the idea of 3RC (reduce, reuse, recycle and compost). They will look at the effects of packaging decisions (reducing) and learn about engineering advancements in packaging materials and solid waste management. Also, they will observe biodegradation in a model landfill (composting).
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4 (3-5) |
Colorado:
 interrelationships 5
life science 3.1 |
50 minutes |
Subject Areas: 1
Curricular Units: 1
Activities: 2
Details |
| A Good Foundation |
Students explore the effects of regional geology on bridge foundation, including the variety of soil conditions found beneath foundations. They learn about shallow and deep foundations, as well as the concepts of bearing pressure and settlement. |
7 (6-8) |
Colorado:
interrelationships 5
physical science 2.3 |
20 minutes |
Subject Areas: 1
Curricular Units: 1
Activities: 1
Details |
| A Magnetic Personality |
Students learn about magnets and how they are formed. They investigate the properties of magnets and how engineers use magnets in technology. Specifically, students learn about magnetic memory storage...
... moreStudents learn about magnets and how they are formed. They investigate the properties of magnets and how engineers use magnets in technology. Specifically, students learn about magnetic memory storage, which is the reading and writing of data information using magnets, such as in computer hard drives, zip disks and flash drives.
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4 (3-5) |
Colorado:
interrelationships 5
physical science 2.2, 2.3 |
20 minutes |
Subject Areas: 1
Curricular Units: 0
Activities: 1
Details |
| A Mini World |
As students learn about the creation of biodomes, they are introduced to the steps of the engineering design process, including guidelines for brainstorming. Students learn how engineers are involved ...
... moreAs students learn about the creation of biodomes, they are introduced to the steps of the engineering design process, including guidelines for brainstorming. Students learn how engineers are involved in the design and construction of biodomes and use brainstorming to come up with ideas for possible biodome designs. This lesson is part of a series of six lessons in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.
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5 (3-6) |
Colorado:
connections 6
earth and space science 4.1
interrelationships 5
life science 3.1
processes of scientific investigations 1 |
20 minutes |
Subject Areas: 3
Curricular Units: 1
Activities: 1
Details |
| A River Ran Through It |
Students learn how water is used to generate electricity. They investigate water's potential-to-kinetic energy transformation in hands-on activities about falling water and waterwheels. During the act...
... moreStudents learn how water is used to generate electricity. They investigate water's potential-to-kinetic energy transformation in hands-on activities about falling water and waterwheels. During the activities, they take measurements, calculate averages and graph results. Students also learn the history of the waterwheel and how engineers use water turbines in hydroelectric power plants today. They discover the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power. In a literacy activity, students learn and write about an innovative new hydro-electrical power generation technology.
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4 (3-5) |
Colorado:
earth and space science 4.3
interrelationships 5
life science 3.1
physical science 2.2 |
15 minutes |
Subject Areas: 3
Curricular Units: 1
Activities: 3
Details |
| Air Under Pressure |
Students are introduced to air masses, with an emphasis on the differences between and characteristics of high- versus low-pressure air systems. Students also hear about weather forecasting instrument...
... moreStudents are introduced to air masses, with an emphasis on the differences between and characteristics of high- versus low-pressure air systems. Students also hear about weather forecasting instrumentation and how engineers work to improve these instruments for atmospheric measurements on Earth and in space.
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8 (6-8) |
Colorado:
earth and space science 4.2
interrelationships 5 |
15 minutes |
Subject Areas: 2
Curricular Units: 1
Activities: 1
Details |
| An Introduction to Inclined Planes |
Students are introduced to the concept of simple tools and how they can make difficult or impossible tasks easier. They begin by investigating the properties of inclined planes and how implementing them can reduce the force necessary to lift objects off the ground. |
2 (1-3) |
AAAS Benchmarks:
materials and manufacturing 8.B.3
McREL National:
computation 3.4 |
50 minutes |
Subject Areas: 2
Curricular Units: 0
Activities: 1
Details |
| An Underground River |
Groundwater is one of the largest sources of drinking water, so environmental engineers need to understand groundwater flow in order to tap into this important resource. Environmental engineers also s...
... moreGroundwater is one of the largest sources of drinking water, so environmental engineers need to understand groundwater flow in order to tap into this important resource. Environmental engineers also study groundwater to predict where pollution from the surface may end up. In this lesson, students will learn how water flows through the ground, what an aquifer is and what soil properties are used to predict groundwater flow.
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7 (6-8) |
Colorado:
computations 6
connections 6
earth and space science 4.3
interrelationships 5 |
50 minutes |
Subject Areas: 1
Curricular Units: 1
Activities: 2
Details |
| Animals and Engineering |
Students are introduced to the classification of animals and animal interactions. Students also learn why engineers need to know about animals and how they use that knowledge to design technologies th...
... moreStudents are introduced to the classification of animals and animal interactions. Students also learn why engineers need to know about animals and how they use that knowledge to design technologies that help other animals and/or humans. This lesson is part of a series of six lessons in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.
... less |
5 (3-6) |
Colorado:
interrelationships 5
life science 3.1, 3.2, 3.4
physical science 2.1 |
20 minutes |
Subject Areas: 3
Curricular Units: 1
Activities: 2
Details |
| Architects and Engineers |
Students explore the interface between architecture and engineering. In the associated hands-on activity, students act as both architects and engineers by designing and building a small parking garage. |
4 (3-5) |
Colorado:
interrelationships 5
processes of scientific investigations 1 |
100 minutes |
Subject Areas: 2
Curricular Units: 1
Activities: 1
Details |
