Engineer This!

Using the STEMAZing Picture Books Those Darn Squirrels and Those Darn Squirrels Fly South, this workshop will use engineering design projects from the Resource Area for Teachers, Toys from Trash, How Wee Learn, and Instructables to engineer “Launching Things” and “Flying Things”. Particular attention will be given to how you can take these great hands-on activities and make them minds-on as well! Lots of make and take projects will be a part of this training! Learn about the Engineering Design Process and Habits of Mind. With the resources and supplies provided, you can turn your students into engineers.

Engineering Design Projects and Lessons

Design a ... Cards

Design a … Cards

Design Prompts from RAFT ...
Design Inspirations from RAFT

Design Inspirations from RAFT

Combine two unrelated ideas to inspire a creative new design! Engineers often use everyday objects to stimulate creative ideas. For example, an early ballpoint pen designer might have had a flash of inspiration while looking ...
Engineering the World's Best Glider using IDEAS Engineering Journal

Engineering the World’s Best Glider using IDEAS Engineering Journal

This lesson serves as a great introduction to the engineering design process when you have a design or prototype and you are attempting to improve that design. In this case, students start with an original ...
Exploravision

Exploravision

The ExploraVision competition for K-12 students engages the next generation in real world problem solving with a strong emphasis on STEM. ExploraVision challenges students envision and communicate new technology 20 years in the future through ...
got problems? let's solve 'em Engineering Journal

got problems? let’s solve ’em Engineering Journal

From noticing problems to brainstorming solutions to testing prototypes, making modifications, and marketing a final product, this journal will walk students step-by-step through the engineering design process as it relates to solving a problem for ...
How Wee Learn

How Wee Learn

Wondering what a teacher does at home with her own kids? ...
How Wee Learn Egg Carton Helicopter

How Wee Learn Egg Carton Helicopter

Take the paper helicopter to the next level by adding an egg carton cockpit ...
IDEAS Engineering Journal - Virtual Edition

IDEAS Engineering Journal – Virtual Edition

The IDEAS Engineering Journal is meant to be used to engineer improvements to an existing design. Have you built a glider or a wobble head rattle writer or ANYTHING? Use this journal to brainstorm modifications, ...
Inspired by a ... Cards

Inspired by a … Cards

Design prompts from RAFT ...
Instructables

Instructables

Instructables is a place that lets you explore, document, and share your creations ...
Instructables Cork Launcher

Instructables Cork Launcher

A simple trigger-release launcher that fires at least 10 feet ...
Instructables Rubber Band Helicopters

Instructables Rubber Band Helicopters

Use physics to create a helicopter capable of flying over 20 feet high ...
Instructables Zipline Racers

Instructables Zipline Racers

These self-propelled racers will have students exploring variables for weeks! ...

Kid President: How to Be an Inventor

https://youtu.be/yqRB4cIcPjk ...
NC State Engineering Design Process

NC State Engineering Design Process

One of our favorite versions of the Engineering Design Process, especially the part of failure! ...
Quirky

Quirky

Quirky enables everyday problem solvers to turn their inventions into successful products ...
RAFT

RAFT

Resource Area for Teaching Idea Sheets - a collection of more than 700 searchable ideas. All use easy-to-find cheap materials ...
RAFT Flingy Thingy

RAFT Flingy Thingy

Turn a plastic ruler into a catapult ...
RAFT Puff Rocket

RAFT Puff Rocket

Launch straw rockets off your puff rocket launcher made from a squeeze-able bottle ...
photo of a journal made with the STEMAZing hack

STEMAZing Journal Hack

Make graph paper STEMAZing journals that require no staples or tape using an old bookbinding trick ...
Toys From Trash

Toys From Trash

#STEMontheCheap at its best! Toys from Trash is an incredible collection of projects made with inexpensive materials. You will have to consider the minds-on ways you will use these projects to engage students but most ...
Toys From Trash Ball Bounce

Toys From Trash Ball Bounce

Turn a water bottle into a ball launcher with some simple supplies ...
Toys From Trash YouTube Channel

Toys From Trash YouTube Channel

Our core belief is that children learn by doing - by touching, feeling, cutting, sticking -- pulling things apart, putting things together. We believe that this hands-on science helps them relate to curriculum and get ...
Treasures for Teachers of Tucson

Treasures for Teachers of Tucson

Our resource center has a wide variety of unique and useful materials you might spend days or weeks trying to find.  Whether it’s plastic bottle caps and fabric scraps or golf balls and office supplies, ...
Wheels and So Much More from Kelvin Educational

Wheels and So Much More from Kelvin Educational

A great STEM supply company. We used the Front Dragster Wheels (Stock #990168) for our balloon powered cars. These are great because bamboo skewers found at Walmart fit right into them ...
Wobble Walkers

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), ...

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