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Grand Challenges for Engineering - National Academy of Engineering

Grades
9 to 12
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Grand Challenges for Engineering shares information on several engineering problems that are just waiting for 21st century solutions. Engineering challenge information is presented...more
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Grand Challenges for Engineering shares information on several engineering problems that are just waiting for 21st century solutions. Engineering challenge information is presented and followed by a moderated response forum. Anyone may submit ideas, and no registration is required. Share your name and location on the planet, and your comments may be featured in the forum. There are video clips, interactives, ready to go activities, and more. Information about world needs and next steps towards solutions are available. These topics can be controversial, so preview before you share with the class.

tag(s): carbon (15), critical thinking (112), engineering (120), mars (26), medicine (55), nuclear energy (19), problem solving (225), scientific method (47), STEM (265)

In the Classroom

Use Grand Challenges for Engineering topics as class conversation starters in science, biology, and engineering classes and an inspiration to make STEM a possible career choice. Stimulate a rich discussion by previewing the topic to students at the beginning of a week and discussing at the end of the week. Share the videos on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Encourage them to research the idea outside of class, and provide this website as a major source. Have students summarize the concept and the new things that they have learned through the discussion on an exit slip before they leave for the week. Challenge your students to think of other Grand Challenges that we face. In a gifted program these challenges could serve as themes for extended investigations or individual projects.
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Squishy Circuits - AnnMarie Thomas

Grades
2 to 10
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Squishy Circuits takes the fear out of electrical engineering and replaces it with fun! Using two different home-made play dough recipes, this scientist devised a way to teach her toddler...more
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Squishy Circuits takes the fear out of electrical engineering and replaces it with fun! Using two different home-made play dough recipes, this scientist devised a way to teach her toddler about electronics. Turning her kitchen into an electrical engineering lab was easier than you may think. Two different play dough recipes provide conductors and resistors. Demonstrate how electricity moves by attaching the play dough to a battery pack and using LED lights. All ages will love "playing" with electronics. Watch the short video explanation of how this project started, and see a great demonstration by the creator of the project. Directions are available video video or as a PDF.

tag(s): circuits (20), electricity (59)

In the Classroom

Budgets are tight and times are tough, but using these activities, we can still keep the lights on electrical engineering. Have students make the play dough in lab or make it in advance for them. Color the recipes with different food colors so that you can easily identify which recipe is which. Explain how the battery packs and indicator lights work, and then let them play with the play dough and the battery packs. Please advise students of safety hazards and caution them against putting sensors directly against the battery pack. Once they have had time to play, have them identify different circuit parts using correct electrical terminology. Challenge students to create more and use their imaginations to try different situations and scenarios. Have different groups share their findings with the class, and allow the groups to share ideas to reach even further.
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Stem Career - Rich Feller

Grades
7 to 12
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What is STEM? With so much emphasis on pursuing STEM, find great resources here about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Find articles, surveys, and other information...more
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What is STEM? With so much emphasis on pursuing STEM, find great resources here about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Find articles, surveys, and other information about STEM careers. Find information geared towards students, teachers, counselors, and parents about pursuing STEM careers. Search through STEM disciplines, degree profiles, or other information.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): careers (139), college (46), STEM (265)

In the Classroom

Share some of the infographics on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Allow time for students to search careers to report to the rest of the class using conventional or multimedia posters and other products. Use an online poster creator, such as Padlet, reviewed here. Include the skills required for the job, the education needed, and what that person does. Challenge students to create an advertisement for a STEM career they might enjoy.

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Marshmallow Challenge - Tom Wujec

Grades
K to 12
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Even though the site says the "challenge is coming soon" just click the video and it will come up in YouTube. The Download works perfectly. Use a marshmallow challenge to ...more
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Even though the site says the "challenge is coming soon" just click the video and it will come up in YouTube. The Download works perfectly. Use a marshmallow challenge to motivate your students! The concept of this project is to have teams of people work together to create a free standing structure that supports a marshmallow. Sounds overly simple? Well, not always. The given materials for each team are simple, inexpensive, and require creative thinking and problem solving skills to use! All in all this adds up to a fun, interesting, and entertaining activity for young to older students, business people, and any group that needs to learn how to work and think together. Spaghetti, string, marshmallows and masking tape are all the supplies that you will need. Have fun with this, your students are sure to do so! The site recommends giving your class one hour to complete the project and activities. They also mention this project would work for smaller groups (4 students) up to larger groups (800), divided into groups of 2 or 4 and working together. There is a typo in the opening paragraph of the site. However the activity content was worth looking over the typo.

tag(s): creativity (91), design (79), engineering (120), problem solving (225), structures (18)

In the Classroom

This engineering challenge would be great during a unit on structures. However, in ANY classroom it would be a solid and creative way to teach design process, group skills, and creative problem solving. This activity is so versatile that it could be use in any grade, even at the college or business level. Of course in younger elementary grades, more instruction would be necessary and possibly some parent volunteers. Its lessons are multiple, from fluency, flexibility, possibility thinking, and promoting originality. In science classes, try including this activity in a lesson on gravity or forces. Prior to implementing this lesson, watch the TED talks video link for yourself. (These links are available at this site.) It is a worthwhile investment of seven minutes, and download and read the adobe acrobat file on the project. It may be a good idea, depending on the age of your students to create a short PowerPoint with the rules and instructions. Also, a visual timer and musical timer would be a great idea for this challenge. Use a site such as the Online Countdown Timer (reviewed here). Show the timer on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) so students are aware of how much time remains. The materials are best given to teams in a small brown bag so that there is an element of surprise and suspense during the instructional period. Another idea is to share this with your administrators, it would make a great challenge for a interactive faculty meeting especially if team building and thinking skills are trying to be built by the administration between faculty members.
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CIESE Tele-Collaborative Classroom Projects - The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education

Grades
1 to 12
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This site provides several collaborative science and engineering projects with various start dates. Projects are available for a full range of grade levels. The target grade level is...more
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This site provides several collaborative science and engineering projects with various start dates. Projects are available for a full range of grade levels. The target grade level is listed with the project. Some projects at the time of this review included: The Global Sun (grades 5-8), Bucket Buddies (grades 1-5), Human Genetics (grades 6-12), Home Lighting in Developing Countries (grades 9-12), and several others.

tag(s): animals (284), engineering (120), genetics (76), light (51), plants (147), scientists (63), sun (70), water (101)

In the Classroom

Use these collaborative projects to teach students more about science and engineering. Even though some of the start dates have passed, teachers can still access the information and lessons. Many projects offer the future dates. If you choose to participate during the time frame or not, you can use the materials to collaborate with a class in the same school or in another state.

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Women @ NASA - NASA

Grades
6 to 12
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This website includes a stunning collection of over thirty videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA's mission in many different ways. The stated goal for the site is ...more
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This website includes a stunning collection of over thirty videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA's mission in many different ways. The stated goal for the site is "we hope that these stories will inspire girls everywhere to reach for the stars, and explore the myriad of opportunities available to them through pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics." Each story includes a biography, story, and video about the woman highlighted. Stories include information about their background, academic degrees, current work, and future goals with NASA. The site includes a blog, Twitter feeds, and a Facebook page which you can subscribe to. The videos reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): careers (139), scientists (63), space (214), STEM (265), women (138)

In the Classroom

Share this site with students when researching careers or space exploration. This is a perfect site for Women's History Month! There is plenty of information on the site for students to use as a model for researching career information. Challenge students to trace the life events of one of the women using an animated timeline tool like Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here. Describe events, display images, and embed videos at different points with this timeline tool. Be sure students share the location where their researched woman is originally from.

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Engineering Bones - Teach Engineering

Grades
5 to 8
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This lesson plan about engineering bones uses inexpensive materials and is engaging for students to complete. Beyond teaching about biology and health, this can also help students understand...more
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This lesson plan about engineering bones uses inexpensive materials and is engaging for students to complete. Beyond teaching about biology and health, this can also help students understand some of the problems with being disabled, especially disabled people who have lost limbs in the armed services or through tragic accidents. While teaching science concepts or health topics, students are developing a greater awareness and appreciation for differences in people.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): body systems (40), engineering (120), medicine (55), science fairs (19)

In the Classroom

Try using this lesson plan as part of a health unit on accidents and amputations. Or, in biology class talk about the mechanics of the muscles in the leg and the advances that medicine has taken to help create better prosthetic devices. Link scientific inquiry to "real" problems. Consider inviting a guest who works with amputees to meet with your class via Skype as part of this lesson.

This would also make a great extension activity for those students who love science and work well independently. Gifted students would enjoy the challenges of this very complete lesson package. If your school participates in a science fair, this would be an ideal project. Thinking about an after school science club? This would be a perfect activity to engage both male and female middle schoolers.
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Fold It - UW Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Grades
9 to 12
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Use this (site) project to apply puzzle-solving skills to determine how proteins are folded. Proteins are fascinating, but their structures are difficult to comprehend. Why study the...more
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Use this (site) project to apply puzzle-solving skills to determine how proteins are folded. Proteins are fascinating, but their structures are difficult to comprehend. Why study the folding of proteins? The folding determines how they function and has implications for human health and how we live with materials and the environment. Bring out thinking processes with this downloadable interactive. Each protein becomes a puzzle. Players manipulate the protein into the form that provides the most efficiency. Researchers are tapping into the potential of the human brain to identify patterns. Understand the formation and breakdown of proteins through game play. Identify the four structures in proteins and their role in the functions and specificity of proteins. Download is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. You need to registerfor the free download.There is an option to "join" for a fee. However, this is necessary only if you wish to comment on the site. As a "real world" connection showing the impact of this "game," see this article about the discoveries about HIV/AIDS that resulted from Fold It.

tag(s): atoms (42), hiv/aids (16), molecules (42)

In the Classroom

Allow students time to manipulate this site and learn the structures of proteins prior to the discussion of the content of the unit. Brainstorm what students have learned to develop notes or major content points. Identify the specific proteins and functions and determine why certain proteins have specific shapes. Identify the roles of proteins in the bodies of all living organisms. Connect these proteins with proteins in the diet and discuss the importance. Determine protein sources that are more beneficial for the human body. Think you have found the best way to fold the proteins? Register on the site and discuss the pattern.

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Re-Energy - GreenLearning

Grades
7 to 12
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Integrate clean air technology into your physical science units. Re-Energy.ca highlights five basic forms of renewable energy; solar electricity and heat, wind power and energy, and...more
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Integrate clean air technology into your physical science units. Re-Energy.ca highlights five basic forms of renewable energy; solar electricity and heat, wind power and energy, and biomass energy. All the necessary background information needed to better understand renewable energy and with a list of valuable links, resources and videos. Included are detailed construction plans for renewable energy models such as a solar oven or wind turbine. The site also addresses larger environmental issues such as global climate change and is dedicated to educating the public on ways to reduce the consumption of natural resources.

tag(s): climate change (88), design (79), electricity (59), energy (130), engineering (120), heat (15), natural resources (38), sustainability (44)

In the Classroom

The projects outlined are in simple steps to show students how to create their own renewable energy technologies. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get hands on experience with engineering, design, and sustainable energy technologies. It also could be a resource for science fair projects.

If you live in Canada, you can participate in a solar oven design challenge. Teachers from other countries may want to have their class host an on-line collaborative project to compare and contrast the performance of their home made solar ovens

The website provides a unit plan meant to be completed in 11 class periods. You can download free complete lesson plans with detailed instructions. A student planning worksheet outlines research procedures, project guidelines, timeline for completion dates and evaluation criteria they are expected to meet.
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Science IQ - Science IQ. com

Grades
8 to 12
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This website features answers to new science questions everyday. If the simple answer is not enough for you, there are helpful links, and suggested additional reading if you would like...more
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This website features answers to new science questions everyday. If the simple answer is not enough for you, there are helpful links, and suggested additional reading if you would like a greater understanding of the concept. Even more information is available through using the categorized science facts found on the left side of the screen. Questions are also searchable by keyword. Subjects include: physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, mathematics, geology, engineering, and medicine.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): area (52), carbon (15), carbon footprint (5), chemicals (39), coal (6), earthquakes (45), energy (130), engineering (120), fossil fuels (9), fossils (39), glaciers (17), machines (14), matter (46), moon (71), natural resources (38), ozone (7), ph (2), planets (112), prime numbers (26), pythagorean theorem (18), questioning (32), space (214), square roots (15), stars (68), sun (70), volume (34)

In the Classroom

Try using this site's questions on a weekly or daily basis in science or math class to start discussions and provoke student thinking. Allow students to view the question on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then brainstorm possible answers. Once enough thoughts have been seeded, share the real answers. Or, allow students to work at the answer as the lesson continues for a few days and reveal the correct answer as a finale to the lesson.

This site could also be used as a learning station for the question of the day or the week.

Comments

This is a great resource to begin a class. It really helps students to apply science to the natural world. Gia, , Grades: 7 - 12

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NASA Missions A-Z - NASA

Grades
5 to 12
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Find information about all of the oldest and latest NASA missions alphabetically or by topic at this site. Choose any link to go to the specific project page. Each page ...more
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Find information about all of the oldest and latest NASA missions alphabetically or by topic at this site. Choose any link to go to the specific project page. Each page provides details about the mission including a mission overview and images.

tag(s): careers (139), nasa (29), space (214), STEM (265)

In the Classroom

This site is perfect for anyone interested in NASA and space science. Share with students who have an interest in space exploration or engineering. Have students choose a mission and share information through a multimedia report using an online tool like Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here.

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The Great Stem Cell Debate - TIME

Grades
9 to 12
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The conduct and funding of stem cell research raises an interesting set of scientific and ethical issues. The website details political decisions, the science of stem cell research,...more
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The conduct and funding of stem cell research raises an interesting set of scientific and ethical issues. The website details political decisions, the science of stem cell research, and both sides of the argument. Teachers interested in discussing the controversy in science or other classes will appreciate this special section from TIME which outlines the key issues as well as the potential this line of research holds.

tag(s): dna (44), engineering (120)

In the Classroom

Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of ethics. As a class, go through some of the information provided that details how stem cell research works, and afterward use the information provided as a spring board to create a classroom debate. Teachers can also use this information to create a lively class debate in politics, biology, and philosophy classes. Because the websites provides so many different perspectives, it is applicable in all of the aforementioned subjects.

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eGFI Magazine Online - American Society for Engineering Education

Grades
K to 12
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eGFI Online Magazine is great nonfiction reading in science and math. It is completely portable as it is online. It can be shared to your Delicious or Diigo site or ...more
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eGFI Online Magazine is great nonfiction reading in science and math. It is completely portable as it is online. It can be shared to your Delicious or Diigo site or other social networking sites. Use this site to enhance cross curricular teaching and learning of reading and interpreting nonfiction text. Plus, this is current and exciting stuff to read for students who are even vaguely interested in science. There are also video links throughout the magazine connecting the text to different, relevant videos. There are lesson plans and activities for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Some of the recent entries (at the time of this review) included the topics of velocity, Earth Day, robots, sports physics,

tag(s): engineering (120), tornadoes (15), watersheds (8)

In the Classroom

Share the link to this magazine with your students via your delicious or diigo links that can be posted on your wiki or website. Then have students sign up for an article to read on their own time using your wiki as a sign up location. Then have students share what they have read in class discussion or on an online discussion board or blog post. Modify learning and challenge students to create a multimedia presentation to share their topic. Have your students create an interactive online infographic using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here.
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Do As the Romans: Construct an Aqueduct! - Teach Engineering

Grades
6 to 8
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This site challenges your group to act as chief water engineers, creating an aqueduct for the ancient Roman city of Aqueductis. You have the choice of five different structures to ...more
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This site challenges your group to act as chief water engineers, creating an aqueduct for the ancient Roman city of Aqueductis. You have the choice of five different structures to build the duct. When you put the items in the correct order, the city will receive water. Also, take a look at engineering.org/activities/view/cub_aqueducts_lesson01_activity1"> "Let's Build An Aqueduct!", that uses popcycle sticks to build the aqueduct. oth acBtivities have a materials list and you will need to download directions in PDF or Word format.

tag(s): problem solving (225), romans (34), rome (21), water (101)

In the Classroom

For a whole group activity, share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. This site would be great to use with small groups of students. Have students work together and see how long it takes for them to get water to the city. Use the manual to help students identify and learn about the five different structures (covered trench, tunnel, pressurized pipe, wall, and arcade). Compare the ancient structures with the way we move water today, including modern day aqueducts. Have groups share their success stories by narrating a picture using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here.

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Shipwreck Challenge - Museum of Science, Boston

Grades
6 to 8
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Shipwreck Survival is a plan for a great "thinking outside the box" activity to engage your students and promote critical thinking and problem solving skills as part of the engineering...more
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Shipwreck Survival is a plan for a great "thinking outside the box" activity to engage your students and promote critical thinking and problem solving skills as part of the engineering design cycle. The activity itself takes approximately thirty minutes and utilizes every day, reusable items so it is inexpensive. There is a downloadable worksheet that you can print for your students, clear instructions, and great background information. It is an ideal small group or team activity. While this activity in real life would happen outside, the simulation can easily be done indoors with some imagination.

tag(s): creativity (91), problem solving (225)

In the Classroom

Set up this activity by talking about creative ways to solve problems and using one's imagination, connecting it to what scientists and engineers do. Have your students agree on what parts of the classroom will represent different parts of nature. For example, desks could be trees. Then group students into fours, give them a box of materials, and have them think and then create different survival gear. Debrief the class by having them show their designed gear, explain how and why it would work, and their thought process. Possibly have students summarize their design on a video. Share the videos on a site such as SchoolTube (reviewed here). Then, have other groups respond by suggesting improvements or alternative ideas.
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Lesson: Life After Trash - Teach Engineering

Grades
6 to 9
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Great for a foundations of science class or middle level environmental science class, use this activity to have students "get their hands dirty" solving real life problems with real...more
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Great for a foundations of science class or middle level environmental science class, use this activity to have students "get their hands dirty" solving real life problems with real life activities. Life After Trash is an excellent lesson for having students think beyond the obvious uses of everyday products. Concepts such as landfills, the three R's (reduce, reuse, and recycle), and basic environmental awareness are partnered with the skills of working in groups, critical thinking, and problem solving to create an interesting and fun classroom activity. There is little cost (if any) to doing the lab.

tag(s): critical thinking (112), engineering (120), problem solving (225)

In the Classroom

A week or so before conducting this simulation activity, ask students to bring in recyclables and clean trash from home. This will cut down on the amount of trash you need to collect, and it will add variety to the supplies. Set up the activity by talking about trash, where it comes from and where it goes. Discuss better alternatives for trash "disposal" such as recycling and reusing. Have students think of obvious reuses for materials and then explain that there are other alternatives to obvious uses. Introduce the activity and basic rules and safety to the students. Arrange them in groups of three or four and then allow them to "shop" the classroom "landfill" to create new things out of old trash. Follow up with discussion of group products, uses, and real life applications of this idea such as recycled art.

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Lesson Plan: Oil Spill Solutions - TryEngineering.org

Grades
8 to 12
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This classroom simulation of an oil spill encourages students to think about how engineers work to find fast but effective solutions to oil spills. There are PDF student handouts. ...more
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This classroom simulation of an oil spill encourages students to think about how engineers work to find fast but effective solutions to oil spills. There are PDF student handouts.

tag(s): environment (238), oil (24), oil spill (14)

In the Classroom

Introduce the concept by talking about current events such as the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Provide students with the student worksheets. Have the students work through the laboratory, and debrief by having students discuss their answers to questions. Have students relate their solutions to attempts to clean up real life oil spills. Enhance learning by having students create a class wiki using TWiki, reviewed here, to discuss oil spills and clean-up options. Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries - check out the TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through.
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Engineer Girl - National Science Foundation and Berkeley

Grades
5 to 12
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The title says it all: This is a guide to engineering for girls. Find answers to such questions as: "Why Should I Become An Engineer?" see descriptions of engineering careers, ...more
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The title says it all: This is a guide to engineering for girls. Find answers to such questions as: "Why Should I Become An Engineer?" see descriptions of engineering careers, meet inspiring women engineers, and Learn How to Become an Engineer.

tag(s): careers (139), engineering (120), STEM (265)

In the Classroom

Find and write about career opportunities as an exploration topic. Discover how many careers use engineering, math, and science and it is not just for boys anymore! Search for other possible engineering related careers and create interactive posters using Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here that informs others of the possibilities, or create using Sway, reviewed here to create interactive presentations across all devices. Have cooperative learning groups create multimedia presentations to share their findings such as an infomercial video using a tool such as Powtoon, reviewed here, or Clipchamp, reviewed here. Share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here. This resource is also terrific for girls spending the Take Your Child to Work Day at a STEM-related workplace. Have the young woman use her workplace visit experience and information from this site to share an interactive newsletter about a STEM career using a tool such as Sway, reviewed here.

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Gajitz Science - Gajitz

Grades
6 to 12
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See remarkable and astounding scientific discoveries and inventions on this amazing site. Categories of science include Earth and Nature, Energy and Power, Medical Marvels, New Materials,...more
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See remarkable and astounding scientific discoveries and inventions on this amazing site. Categories of science include Earth and Nature, Energy and Power, Medical Marvels, New Materials, Quantum Leaps, Space and Time, Science Fiction, and Weird Science. Young scientists will be amazed, engineers inspired, and even the disinterested will find accomplishments to make them curious. Even middle school girls will find something that they like about science on this site. There is some advertising, but the science images and information outweigh it.

tag(s): cells (81), engineering (120), inventors and inventions (71), medicine (55)

In the Classroom

Share selected discoveries or a science-in-real-life scenario at least weekly on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Watch the site for real world examples of your current unit or award extra credit to students who lurk on this site to find such connections. Just as your social studies colleagues assign students to write up a current event each week, you can assign students to write a blog post or brief explanation of a recent find on your class wiki. Be sure to include this link on your class web page for students to access both in and out of class, and be sure to include it in your emergency sub plans for students to find and explain an accomplishment of a real scientist found here. If you do a unit on science careers, this is a definite source for student projects. Why not have students create an interactive infographic using a tool like Genially, reviewed here, on a branch of science that interests them after exploring this site?

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Kikki's Workshop - Komatsu, Ltd.

Grades
K to 5
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Calling all builders - this site has it all! View interactives, videos, the "Great Picture Book of Construction Equipment," "Everything about Construction Equipment," Q and A, printables,...more
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Calling all builders - this site has it all! View interactives, videos, the "Great Picture Book of Construction Equipment," "Everything about Construction Equipment," Q and A, printables, and more. This site is full of great information about construction equipment, perfect for invention units, physics of simple machines, engineering, and more. There is also a link to learn more about anti-mine equipment, sure to spark some serious class discussion with older students.

tag(s): engineering (120), inventors and inventions (71), machines (14), simple machines (17)

In the Classroom

During a physics unit on simple machines, have students look at the various components of the heavy equipment and analyze which simple machines they see as PART of these huge machines. Doing a unit on inventions? Discuss how the inventions of these machines were designed specifically to meet a need. Use this site during a unit on engineering as you learn about how these machines are designed to accomplish a specific task. With older students, discuss the uses of the anti-mine equipment. Create a class "Construction Wiki" where all students contribute after researching specific equipment. Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries - check out the TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through. A wiki tool suggestion is PBWorks, reviewed here.
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