Fall 2009 Engineering Elective
We're exploring how structures and simple-to-complex machines work. Students will work in groups to design and build various creations that each require a different set of movable and/or structural elements. We hope to hear from a structural engineer as well as get out to look at some buildings, bridges, and other structures around town.
- September 10—Build an 18" tower using newspaper, coffee stirrers, tape, and string to hold a tennis ball then basketball in the wind.
- September 15—Build a pendulum or sling shot out of cardboard, tape, string, tongue depressors, skewers, golf balls, elastic bands, and plastic cups. Shoot a ping pong ball into a cup on the floor, then off a ramp into a vertical cup.
- September 17—Continue enhancing last week's project by incorporating a remote triggering device.
- September 22—Learn about basic machines: the inclined plane, the wedge, the wheel and axle, the screw, the lever, gear, and pulley. In groups, make a cotton ball-hurling catapult using a cup, rubber bands, tongue depressors, tape, string, plastic spoon, and paper clips.
- September 24—
- September 29—
- October 1—
- October 6—No Engineering - Fall Field Trips
- October 8—No Engineering - Fall Field Trips
- October 13—
- October 15—
- October 20—
- October 22—Build the tallest and most delicious birthday cake using sugar, flour, eggs, butter, vanilla, etc. Special points for making the "Happy Birthday Kirsten" letters twirl around and hum the Spanish version of the Happy Birthday song.
- October 27—No Engineering - Parent Teacher Conferences
- October 29—
- November 3—
- November 5—
- November 10—
- November 12—
- November 17—
- November 19—
- November 24—
Winter 2007-08 Engineering Elective:
We're exploring the building process using toothpicks, marshmallows, and glue. We have just a few meetings this term, but hope to get out to look at some bridges around town and hear from a structural engineer.
* November 26—Introduction, begin preliminary structure
* December 3—Create bridge or tower with toothpicks and marshmallows
* December 10—Bridge and tower building
* December 17—Bridge and tower testing
* January 7—Begin larger bridge project with companies, design requirements, economic restrictions
* January 14—Begin bridge design
* February 4—Complete bridge design
* February 11—Begin bridge building with glue and toothpicks
* February 18—Mid-Winter Break
* February 25—Continue building
* March 3—Play Practice
* March 10—Continue building
* March 17—Complete bridges
* March 20—Second term presentations, bridge testing
