Achoo! Save the World from the Next Flu Pandemic The influenza virus is a deadly human pathogen. It undergoes rapid genetic mutations during its life cycle and as a result, renders annual immunizations necessary. This unit will introduce students to the genetics of the influenza virus and other relevant knowledge, such as vaccine development and…
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The Body Guardian In this unit, students will investigate the effects of an impact force on the human body system, and design a method of protection from harmful contact. Students will apply knowledge of human tissues and genetic disorders, impact forces, and materials analysis to design a protective gear system that can withstand the effects…
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Up, Up and Away In this series of investigations, students will develop an understanding of how magnets can be used to move large payloads such as an airplane. The unit will begin with a career connection activity. Next, students will investigate the properties of magnetism through station activities. Data collection and analysis software will be…
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Space Age Wisdom In October 2012, a parachute jumper took a leap of science and stepped off a platform from an altitude of close to 24 miles above the Earth’s surface, breaking the 1959 space jump record. The parachute jumper’s team helped him to reach these heights with a helium balloon attached to a space…
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Droppin’ the Beat In this unit, students explore the ways to dampen, mask, or stop a sound wave from propagating into a system (or material) and the surrounding environment. Students research and explore how sound waves are propagated and transmitted through various media. In the engineering design challenge, students will use their acquired knowledge to…
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Pollution Solution: Community Aquifer Contaminants Students will assume the role of an environmental engineering EPA officer for this lesson. They will investigate a contaminated off-site residential property and will try to determine the source of contamination. Surrounding the property are Wright Patterson Air Force Base, a dry cleaner, and a corporate farm. Students will investigate…
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Bending Light to Communicate Lasers can be used for many purposes such as targeting and communication. Light is refracted (“bent”) as it travels from one medium to another. This can be demonstrated by a straw appearing to be “bent” when placed into a glass of water. Throughout this inquiry STEM lesson, student will have students…
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Vehicle Ergonomics: How Big is Big Enough? Students are challenged to design an ergonomic automobile driver’s seat. They will take into consideration body proportion measurements and comfort for the average-size students in their class. Students will engineer the seat based on data collected for student population measurements. Engineering Design Challenge A new automobile company, Electrik,…
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Through inquiry-based learning, students are able to experience and investigate the biogeochemical cycles. They utilize the engineering design process in order to design and construct compost bins. They also design a method for scientifically testing the validity of snack food companies’ advertisements that their packages are manufactured with 100% compostable materials. Throughout the composting process,…
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In studies done with pilots testing cockpit displays, lower reaction times (more desirable) were found with chromatic color schemes when compared to monochrome codes. Careful management of color must be utilized to “meet legibility, attention management, and color coding demands” in the new complex cockpit and air traffic control displays. This investigation will help students…
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