Engineering Education: Uncharged Engineering Lessons and DIY Projects
In the spirit of National Engineers Week, which runs from February 18-24, we're excited to share a collection of engaging engineering lessons for students of all ages. These resources, offered by various institutions, cover a wide range of topics, from the intricacies of lithium-ion battery supply chains to the design of robotic insects.
NC State University's College of Engineering has curated dozens of engineering lessons, some even focusing on fun topics about everyday items. For instance, students can learn about the engineering design process using an informative flow chart and video.
For those with a keen interest in robotics, the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Virtual Robot Curriculum offers an online program to teach and learn robotics without the need for physical equipment. Similarly, the Teach Engineering K-12 Curriculum provides complete, standards-based engineering lessons that are searchable by grade levels.
PBS Kids Design Squad Global is another great resource, offering videos, activities, design challenges, games, and more. The site is based on the educational children's television series Cyberchase, and it provides a wealth of games, videos, activities, and topics related to engineering and science.
The PBS Kids site also offers a lesson for making a Thaumatrope, a simple spinning toy that demonstrates the principles of persistence of vision.
For those looking to make a real-world impact, Engineering For Good Plastic Solutions is a three-week project-based learning unit aimed at helping students develop solutions to the plastic pollution problem.
Tech enthusiasts might enjoy the Lithium-Ion Battery Supply Chain lesson from Underwriters' Laboratory (UL), which covers all facets of the battery life cycle, from lithium extraction to e-waste.
The Design a Robotic Insect lesson combines biology with engineering, having students learn about insects and robotic analogs, then design their own robotic insect.
The Tech Interactive offers more than two dozen lesson plans and challenges, while ASCE Bridge Florida provides a free, downloadable bridge design software for education users, offering a simpler interface for students.
For those interested in machine learning, Machine Learning for Kids is a site where students can learn about machine learning in a step-by-step manner.
Lastly, Engineer Girl Design Challenges allow students to design using everyday goods, such as airplanes, batteries, bridges, etc. The 2024 Science Buddies Engineering Challenge involves building a rubber band car with scoring based on materials used and distance traveled.
In addition to these resources, institutions like Bentley Education, Siemens Stiftung's MINT media portal, and STEMLooksLikeMe by VistaScience offer free engineering teaching materials for students. These resources cover a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence and algorithms for secondary students.
TEDEd Engineering lessons provide a diverse selection of animated video engineering lessons, including ideas such as building the Hoover Dam and how jetpacks work.
These resources offer a fantastic opportunity for students to explore the fascinating world of engineering in a fun and engaging way. So, whether you're a teacher looking for new lesson plans or a student eager to learn, these resources are a great place to start!
