Engineering 101

Students sit on a linoleum floor with piles of newspapers which they are folding and rolling with pencils.
Phenomena: Galloping Gurdy

After learning about the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge “Galloping Gurdy”, students will be challenged to design and build durable structures.

Learning Goals:

  1. Students will understand some basics of engineering.
  2. Students will become familiar with 3D pens and how to use them.
Materials List

Handouts

Classroom Supplies

  • Computers with USB or power strips to plug in 10-15 3D pens
  • 10-15 3D pens and filament
  • Newspapers
  • Spaghetti noodles
  • String
  • Marshmallows (large)

Important Links

Lesson 3 of 4 / Time: 3 periods of 50 mins

This lesson is designed for three 50-minute sessions. The students will engage in multiple mini-engineering challenges to develop their understanding of structures and how to build models. The students will also learn to use the 3D pens to create a 3D object.

 

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

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