This lesson is designed to be done independently, consecutively, or concurrently with the Rolling Resistance, Transmission, Electric Power Source, and Electric Motor Lessons for the Electric Vehicle (EV) Unit. Power efficiency is the goal of all good environmentally conscious designs. As you will see throughout the EV unit, there are many factors that influence this [...]
Teams of students are presented with a scenario in which they are employees at a local museum. Each team member assumes a different jobs within the museum and completes research based on that role. Teams are tasked to boost museum attendance at their museum by acquiring an exhibition from the Smithsonian SITES program. Their task [...]
This activity will explore heat transfer and temperature conversion. Students will conduct Internet based inquiries on conduction, convection, and radiation to understand a thermal sensor lab. Use of the data collected from this lab will be implemented in the investigation, design, and testing of solar cooker. Through a provided scenario students employ their knowledge to [...]
In this instructional unit, students will analyze the force interactions of simple machines to identify ways to mechanically perform the task of depositing a bean bag into the hole on a cornhole board. Following analysis of four simple machines, students will design a system that is both accurate and precise in its function. Students will [...]
Bacterial and fungal spores are all around us every day. Most of the bacteria that we encounter are not harmful to us but a few are and these can lead to undesirable, even fatal, outcomes. In this activity, students will design and construct a container with a germ free environment and will then test to [...]
In this unit, students will investigate different types of solvents and their effects upon ink and dye solubility in order to create designs for a student artifact. They will explore basic chemistry principles and mathematics to design and create a t-shirt, book mark, class quilt, or other artifact that will inspire nonviolence in their community. [...]
Students will investigate and explore the use of solar energy as a means to heat a home. In order to understand how solar energy can be harnessed, students will define solar energy, explore photovoltaic cells, and investigate passive solar energy. After gaining understanding about the concepts of solar energy, students will build a solar-heated model [...]
This activity will familiarize students with the history of aircraft propulsion beginning with the modeling of a vehicle using a propeller as a means of propulsion. The goal is to allow students to design an aircraft using specific materials that utilize air propulsion from a balloon as a means to travel. Using tools of measurement [...]
March Madness is an exciting time of year when the best college basketball teams square off for a final tournament. Many students are enthralled by the games and become energized by basketball. This lesson begins by having student view a short video clip, “One Shining Moment” from the men’s NCAA basketball tournament. Students will then [...]
This lesson compliments the Dayton Regional STEM Center lesson titled Electric Motors (designed for grade 11). Students will dissemble a toy motor in order to understand the transformation of kinetic energy to mechanical energy. Through experimentation and research students will discover how to turn their motor into a wind generator. Students will then study the [...]
