Teaching Materials (1-4 of 4)

1. Model Rockets and Composite Materials: Design, Build, Launch

   Teaching Materials | 27 May 2021 | Contributor(s):: Amber Genau

   Students will gain experience with polymer matrix fiber composites, composite production, and the tradeoffs inherent in the engineering design process by designing, building and launching their own model rocket.  Composite materials are created via hand layup and vacuum assisted resin...

2. Materials Matching Mixer Activity

   Teaching Materials | 29 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Amber Genau

   This materials-themed ice breaker activity is great for the first day of a camp program to get students thinking about basic material properties, as well as talking to each other and speaking out loud in front of the group.  The name of a common engineering material (steel, rubber, concrete,...

3. Pineapple Packaging Design Challenge

   Teaching Materials | 29 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Amber Genau

   This activity asks students to work in teams to consider the pros and cons of different materials as a container for cut pineapple (metal can plastic jar, glass jar).  It reinforces the differences between different categories of material, weighing conflicting factors to reach a design...

4. Engineering Communication with Tinker Toys

   Teaching Materials | 29 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Amber Genau

   This resource describes three variations on an engineering communication activity using Tinker Toys.  In the main activity, small groups of students are given a bag of Tinker Toys and instructed to build anything they like.  They are then asked to write down building instructions for...