Unit 1: Engineering Design
Quiet Spot Inside
Have you ever wanted to create a quiet space inside your home, especially now that everyone is home? A place you can read, play games, or just be alone? Maybe you want to share it with a friend or family member. Let us help you use the engineering design process in creating your own personal space. It will be uniquely yours!
Quiet Spot Outside
The weather is starting to get nicer and everyone is home. Wouldn’t you like to have your own quiet space outside where you can read, observe, or even nap if you’d like? Maybe you would like to use rustic elements like sticks and leaves, or you might like something more durable like canvas. Using the engineering design process you can follow the steps to bring the creation in your mind to reality!
Spinning Top
Who doesn’t like to watch a top spin? Do you ever wonder why some spin longer than others? Sometimes it is the colors or design on the spinning top that catch your eye. Top are really easy to make and can use all kinds of material you have around your house. They can even help you understand how the Earth rotates. Using the engineering design process you can experiment and see what designs you come up with!
Pendulum
Have you ever heard of Leon Foucault or Foucault’s Pendulum? What is a pendulum and how are they used? Foucault designed a pendulum that proves the rotation of the Earth and you can watch the video in this exciting lesson. After learning more about pendulums we invite you to use the engineering design process to create your own pendulum with materials you have right at home!
Friction
Did you ever wonder why your hands get warm when you rub them together? Why is it more difficult to move some objects but not others? Why can you ski on snow but not on grass and why is swimming so tiring? The answer is friction – learn more about this force and how you can use it to your advantage!
Gravity
“What goes up must come down.” This old adage is derived from Isaac Newton. Why you ask? Well, of course, gravity is the answer! It holds us on Earth and the Sun’s gravity holds our planets in orbit. Last week we studied the force of friction; this week we dive into the force of gravity. Come along for an adventure and see what unique ways you can test gravity…or maybe you prefer to try and defy gravity.
Ball Drop
The previous lessons covered friction and gravity, both of which are forces that affect motion. It seems like a perfect opportunity to introduce Sir Isaac Newton and his 3 Laws of Motion. This lab uses the engineering design process to help you develop a ball drop to show friction, gravity, and force. Since you are a budding engineer you are going to want to change aspects of the lab to see how it affects the end result. Build your unique design and don’t forget to share pictures with us at the Science Center!
Centripetal Force
Did you ever wonder how roller coasters are able to turn sideways and upside down without coming off the track? Or how you manage to stand in place on that amusement ride that spins in circles really fast? In this lesson we explore the difference between centripetal and centrifugal forces and dive into Newton’s Laws a little further. Two videos are provided so you can experiment at home to understand these forces better and there is a bonus challenge should you accept that mission!
Density
Why do large cruise ships not sink like a submarine? How can an egg float in water? Dive into this lesson about water displacement, density, and volume to begin understanding the science behind these questions. Keep following because the next lesson may float your boat!
Buoyancy
As legend has it Archimedes got into his bathtub one day and realized the water overflowed. This one simple event led to the Archimedes’ Principle which all floating objects are based on. In this lesson, build your own boat based on what you learn and then design a challenge for your family to see who can build the best boat!