ECE - Engineering Archives - STEMAZing Systems Thinking

Paper Helicopters

Materials Paper Helicopter Templates (large and small – printed on regular paper) Paper clips Clothespins (plastic or wood) Scissors Key Question What affects how long paper helicopters stay in the air? Learning Objectives Children will… • make paper helicopters and play with them. • explore how changing the paper helicopters impacts how long they stay…

Flying Butterfly

Materials Butterfly Templates (found below) Tape (transparent or masking) Double Stick Tape or Glue Bakers Twine or similar string Large Craft Sticks (also known as tongue depressors) Plastic Drinking Straws Markers or Crayons or Colored Pencils Pushpins Scissors Key Question How do friction and gravity help the Flying Butterfly toy work? Learning Objectives Young scientists…

Wobble Walkers

Folk toy turned engineering and STEAM project! Start with noticing and wondering using the first 12 seconds of the video below and then let students explore this pHun phenomenon. Templates for small, medium (original scale), and large Wobble Walkers can also be found below. Cut out as rectangle first and then round off feet to…

Spin Top Spin, Mix Color Mix

Key Question Can you create a top that spins? What happens when you make changes to the top? Learning Objectives Children will… construct a simple spinning top. learn to use and experiment further with the spinning top. make observations about how colors on the top combine as it spins.

ECE Engineering Journal

Google Docs version of ECE Engineering Journal – Young learners can use the Voice typing under the Tools menu to complete this document if they are pre-writing.

Projectile Popper

Build this Projectile Popper using an empty 32 oz Gatorade bottle, a string, rubber bands, drill (other options), scissors, goggles, bead, ping pong balls, and a box cutter (or knife). (NOTE: Adults should prep the Gatorade bottle by cutting it with the box cutter and drilling the hole in the lid for young children.) Once…

Pool Noodle Rocket

Build this Pool Noodle Rocket using, you guessed it, a pool noodle, duct tape, rubber bands, scissors, cardboard from a cereal box, a sharpened pencil, plastic knife, rocket fin template, ruler, sharpie, string, and a bead. Launch it using your thumb or use a meter stick to launch it and collect data on variables you…

Rattle Writer

Build this Rattle Writer using just a pool noodle, electric toothbrush (found for $1 at dollar stores), a plastic knife, washable markers, rubber bands, googly eyes (optional but fun), paper, duct tape, and a ruler. Once you have built your Rattle Writer, let the engineering begin! Can you get it to draw a straight line?…

One Page Kite

Learning Objective Children will… • build and fly a kite using a piece of paper and other inexpensive materials. Key Question Can you make a kite from a single sheet of paper? (Lección disponible en inglés AQUÍ.) Materials Kite Template String (Baker’s Twine from Dollar Tree) Standard 1⁄4” hole punch Flexible Straw…

Tongue Depressor Harmonica

Create these #STEMontheCheap harmonicas using large craft sticks, rubber bands, index cards, tape, and straws. Then, let young engineers decide which design is better. Encourage them to support their claim with evidence! Continue the engineering by allowing young engineers to make modifications to the designs, test them, and determine (with support of evidence) whether their…