Engage Activities: Warm-Ups
Lowe's Let's Build Something Together Challenge:
Gotta Regatta Raingutter Race. We challenge your team to make the fastest ferry for a Ping-Pong passenger! Design and build a boat that travels across a container of water.
Lowe's Let's Build Something Together Challenge:
Pop-Fly Launcher. We challenge you to send two Ping—Pong balls far enough for a partner to catch it.
Lowe's Let's Build Something Together Challenge:
Touch Down Lander. We challenge you to design and build a shock-absorbing system out of paper, straws, and minimarshmallows that will protect two Ping-Pong ball passengers when they land.
Puff Mobile
Students will use simple materials (straws, Lifesavers, copier paper, paper clips, tape) to construct and race cars, using only their breath for propulsion.
End Effector
Students will use simple materials (styrofoam cups, tape, thread) to build an end effector similar to the one on the International Space Station’s robotic arm. Students will design and construct a grapple fixture that will enable the end effector to pick up an object.
Skimmer
Students use simple materials (cardstock paper, straws, paper clips, tape) construct paper sailboats and test the effect of different sail shapes, sizes, and construction methods
NSTA 2012 Area Conference in Atlanta session "SECME: Raising Results with Racecars and Rockets" (Phys) (Informal Education) B305, GWCC
Brief Abstract
Erich Landstrom (erich.landstrom(at)palmbeachschools(dot)org),
Seminole Ridge Community High School, Loxahatchee, Fla.
SECME isn’t a curriculum—you can easily integrate our
turn-key, standards-aligned activities and competitions from
our nonprofit engineering program with your classroom
teaching.
Scaffolding for Water Bottle Rockets
Challenge: Design an air-powered rocket that can hit a distant target.
During this 5Elesson, students will build a paper rocket and investigate how nose cone variation influences distance of flight.
Soda Straw Rockets Leader Notes and Activity Sheet Download PDF (976K) - Design Squad
Soda Straw Rockets - NASA Leader Notes (NRC Standards version)
Soda Straw Rockets - NASA Leader Notes and Student handout
Scaffolding for Mousetrap Powered Racecars
Roving on the Moon
Challenge: Build a car that can scramble across the floor. Design and build a rover out of cardboard; figure out how to use rubber bands to spin the wheels; and improve their design based on testing results. Design Squad Event Guide PDF for "Roving on the Moon" Leader Notes and Activity Sheet Download PDF (980K)
NASA Leader Notes and Student handout
www.nasa.gov/pdf/418009main_OTM_Roving.pdf
On Target Challenge: modify a paper cup so it can zip down a line and drop a marble onto a target.
http://pbskids.org/designsquad/pdf/parentseducators/DS_NASA_07OnTarget_CS.pdf (student guide, 2 page)
http://pbskids.org/designsquad/pdf/parentseducators/DS_NASA_07OnTarget_LN_CS.pdf (leader guide, 5 pages)
Pop Fly
Challenge: Invent a way to send a Ping-Pong ball flying high enough to catch it. Take some paint stirrers, a wooden spool or piece of PVC pipe, and tape. Now, add your foot. Ready, set, launch!
Akin to Bridge Building
Paper Table
Challenge: Design and build a table out of newspaper tubes. Make it at least eight inches tall and strong enough to hold a heavy book.
Akin to Bridge Building
Touch Down
Challenge: Create a platform that can safely cushion "astronauts" when they land on a table near you.
Akin to Bridge Building
High Rise
Challenge: Build a tower that can support a tennis ball at least 18 inches off the ground while withstanding the wind from a fan.
Akin to Mousetrap Vehicles
Rubber Band Car
Challenge: Build a car that goes really fast and really far (at least four feet, that is). Your power source is a rubber band, and your car can only have two wheels.
http://www.pbs.org/parents/fetch/activities/act/index.html
These easy, hands-on activities are great for seven- to eleven-year olds. It's science, engineering, problem solving, and fun all rolled into one. Each activity has step-by-step instructions and age-appropriate explanations of the main idea.
