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The Physics Behind Tensegrity Structures - STEM Building & Research Activity
By Innovations in Technology
This project lets students learn about the physics and math behind tensegrity structures as they research and create one with their team. After introducing the lesson with a short video (link included in resources), students work with their team to create a basic tensegrity structure following a short tutorial. Then, utilizing the knowledge gained from this, they build a second tensegrity structure of their choice, utilizing the principles and design ideas of tensegrity. As they work through both builds, they record their information on the included Engineering Design Process Planning Sheet with their team. Next, students present their project to the class and explain their design choices. Finally, students reflect on and summarize their learning with short answers to questions about the experience and what they learned.
This lesson was created for 7th and 8th grade, but could also be used successfully in upper elementary grades or high school as well.
Files included (non-editable, .pdf files):
• Teacher & Student Resources
• Student Instructions, Expectations and Grading Rubric
• Team Sign Up Sheet
• Engineering Design Process Planning Sheet
• Reflection Questions
Related Products
⭐ The Physics of Amusement Park Rides
⭐ The Physics of Bridges
⭐ The Physics of Geodesic Domes - STEM Design and Construction Project
⭐ The Physics of Windmills
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Web Design - The Website Project
By Reece's Tech Shop by Scott Reece
This is a website design lesson wrapped around Simple Machines. I wanted my students to get the feel of WEB DESIGN without having to pay hosting fees...so, we used PowerPoint. I went through the process of setting up a PP as the website. We talk about links, images, web directory, etc. but we did it for FREE in PowerPoint. Once you activate the slideshow, it "feels" like a website. The kids loved it!
It is written for Simple Machines, but it could easily be rewritten for any topic in any class!
The directions for PowerPoint are on pages 3-4.
Transportation Career Simulation - Design an Ideal Mode of Transportation
By Innovations in Technology
Learning about Transportation Careers gives students an introduction to what individuals in this career field do on the job. This is perfect for a technology, business or marketing class, or a class that focuses on careers. Students learn about the career as they research information and create a short PowerPoint presentation. Next, they apply their knowledge to learn more about logistics as they choose a product and understand how it would be transported and stored. Finally, they use Sketchup (a free CAD download) to create an “ideal” form of transportation and justify their choices for the design. This project was created for grades 7-8 but could easily be adapted for older students.
This lesson is great for distance learning/remote learning. You can upload it to your school's learning management system (Google Classroom, Edmodo, Canvas, etc.) or share with students via Google Drive.
Files Included with this Lesson
• Teacher & Student Notes and Resources
• Introduction to Transportation Careers Project
• Understanding Logistics Project
• “Ideal” Transportation Design Project
• Project Samples
Related Products
⭐ Exploring Careers: Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
⭐ Real World Math - How Math is Used in Transportation Careers
Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!
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The Physics of Geodesic Domes - STEM Design and Construction Project
By Innovations in Technology
This project lets students learn about the physics and math behind geodesic domes as they research and create one with their team. After introducing the lesson with a short video (link included in resources), students work with their team to design and build a geodesic dome. First, students create the model using Sketchup (free downloadable CAD software available at: http://www.sketchup.com/download?sketchup=make). Then, using their design, they build the structure to scale with their team. Next, students present their project to the class and explain their design choices. Finally, students reflect on and summarize their learning with short answers to questions about the experience and what they learned.
This lesson was created for 7th and 8th grade, but could also be used successfully in upper elementary grades or high school as well.
Files included:
• Teacher & Student Resources
• Student Instructions, Expectations and Grading Rubric for Sketchup CAD drawing
• Student Instructions, Expectations and Grading Rubric for building project
• Team Sign Up Sheet
• Reflection Questions
Related Products
⭐ The Physics Behind Tensegrity Structures - STEM Building & Research Activity
⭐ The Physics of Amusement Park Rides
⭐ The Physics of Bridges
⭐ The Physics of Windmills
Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!
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Manufacturing Career Simulation - Product Designer / Industrial Designer
By Innovations in Technology
Learning about Industrial/Product Design (Manufacturing) Careers gives students an introduction to what individuals in this career field do on the job. This is perfect for a technology, business or marketing class, or a class that focuses on careers. Students learn about the career by viewing a short, teacher-led PowerPoint. Next, they learn more about patents and trademarks as they research these topics on the Internet to answer provided questions. Finally, students work in teams to develop a unique product of their own and build a prototype of the product. The project was created for grades 7-8 but could easily be adapted for older students.
This lesson is great for distance learning/remote learning. You can upload it to your school's learning management system (Google Classroom, Canvas, etc.) or share with students via Google Drive.
Files Included with this Lesson
• Teacher & Student Notes and Resources
• Introduction to Industrial/Product Design (Manufacturing Careers) PowerPoint
• Learning about Patents and Trademarks Student Handout
• Learning about Patents and Trademarks Answer Key
• Design a New Product Project Expectations, Instructions & Rubric
• Design Worksheet
• Team Sign Up Sheet
• Project Samples
Related Products
⭐ Exploring Careers: Manufacturing
⭐ Real World Math Skills - How Math is Used in Manufacturing Careers
Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!
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Google Earth - Exploring Architectural Landmarks in the Ukraine
By Innovations in Technology
In this lesson, students learn more about famous structures and landmarks in Ukraine and the individuals who created them. Students choose the landmarks they will research and then create a presentation using Google Earth to showcase their information along with pictures, videos and maps. Included with the lesson are student expectations, grading rubric and a tutorial for Google Earth (a free, Web 2.0 tool that does not require download). For classrooms with limited technology, this lesson can be completed with students working in pairs or small groups. The completed presentations can be shared with the rest of the class if the teacher chooses.
This is a great activity for a social studies or history class, or for a technology class. This lesson was designed for middle school (grades 6-8) but could be used in upper elementary grades or high school as well.
Materials Required:
· Computers with Internet access for each student (or pair of students)
· Access to Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides (optional – students can use Web 2.0 tools instead)
Files included:
· Teacher & Student Resources
· Student Instructions, Expectations and Grading Rubric
· Google Earth Getting Started Tutorial
Approximate Lesson Duration:
· Introduction to the Lesson: Video (link included), overview of the project - .5 - 1 (50 minute) class period
· Research and Google Earth Project: 2-4 (50 minute) class periods
· Presentation of projects to class (optional): Time will vary based on how many presentations are shown and time for discussion
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