Collaborative, Creative, Future-Focused Education

In A Closer Look, students learn about the classification system and explore different types of small single-cell organisms using a microscope. Their challenge is to use a small lens to create a microscope using a camera from an electronic device such as a cell phone or tablet. The microscope is used to gather data after a disaster.

Objectives:

• Learn about the scientific classification system of organisms.
• Use a microscope to identify cell parts in monerans and protists.
• Learn how antibiotics are used to fight bacteria.
• Learn how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
• Create a microscope.
• Use a microscope to identify organisms in water.

Essential Questions:

• How can we help disaster areas recover to healthy living conditions faster?

Career Connections:

• Agricultural and Food Scientists
• Biological Technicians
• Epidemiologists
• Food Preparation Workers
• Forensic Science Technicians
• Health and Safety Engineers
• Health Educators and Community Health Workers
• Microbiologists

In Ahead of the Game, students learn how athletes have increased in size, strength, and speed; how equipment protects them; and how new equipment is needed to continue to protect them. They use the engineering design process to create a vehicle to safely transport and protect an egg during a crash.

Objectives:

• Learn about the increase in size and strength of athletes at all levels.
• Explore the size increase in athletes.
• Learn about inertia and momentum.
• Learn how Newton’s laws affect athletes.
• Use the engineering design process to create a vehicle to safely transport and protect an egg during a crash.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best way to absorb the energy of contact in sports?

Career Connections:

• Athletes and Sports Competitors
• Athletic Trainers
• Health and Safety Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Medical Scientists

In Artificial Ecosystems, students explore the environmental impact on plant growth cycles using different growth methods for a scientific research company. The company does small-scale experiments using terrariums to conduct research for companies that are interested in long-term space exploration.

Objectives:

• Design and build an ecosystem.
• Measure changes in an ecosystem.
• Conduct a seed growth analysis experiment.
• Explore how photosynthesis releases oxygen.
• Explain how soil composition affects plant growth.
• Identify changes in experiments over time.

Essential Questions:

• What changes in the number of organisms covering Earth affect our environment?

Career Connections:

• Agricultural Scientists
• Agricultural Workers
• Conservationists
• Foresters
• Grounds Maintenance Workers

In Beyond Earth, students examine the bodies of our solar system and their interactions with one another. Students also determine the needs of a permanent Mars colony, construct a scale model of a Mars colony, and use evidence to justify their decisions.

Objectives:

• Explore relative distances between bodies in our solar system.
• Examine the role of gravity in the motion of planets and moons.
• Construct a model of the relative distances between the Sun and planets in our solar system.
• Determine the path a rocket must follow to get from Earth to Mars.
• Build a model of a Mars colony.
• Evaluate Mars colony designs.
• Construct a model shelter for a Mars colony.
• Construct a model oxygen production system for a Mars colony.
• Construct a model water facility for a Mars colony.
• Construct a model food production system for a Mars colony.
• Evaluate other students’ Mars colony models.

Essential Questions:

• What is necessary for us to arrive at and establish a permanent colony on Mars?

Career Connections:

• Aerospace Engineers
• Electricians
• Environmental Protection Specialists
• Farmers
• HVAC Technicians
• Mechanical Engineers
• Ranchers

In Bio Research, students assist in the design of a store’s new outlet by helping the owner make decisions about genetically modified produce. Students research biotechnology, evaluate sources of information for validity, and make recommendations for the store justified by valid evidence that he or she has collected.

Objectives:

• Develop a preliminary layout for the Produce Aisle.
• Build a model of a DNA molecule.
• Model the use of a restriction enzyme to create recombinant DNA.
• Model mitosis and list the major events of each phase.
• Model meiosis and list the major events of each phase.
• Use Punnett squares to predict possible offspring in a cross.
• Compare actual random numbers to predicted outcomes and explain the difference.
• Distinguish between natural and artificial selection.

Essential Questions:

• How should genetically modified organisms be labeled and displayed in a store?

Career Connections:

• Farmers
• Food Scientists
• Forensic Science Technicians
• Genetic Counselors
• Medical Scientists
• Ranchers
• Sales Managers

In Body Blueprint, students learn about the levels of organization in living organisms. They study the body’s systems and how they work together to keep a person alive. The engineering challenge involves building a model of a human’s lung and diaphragm system and then using this knowledge to determine design requirements for an artificial human lung.

Objectives:

• Complete a personal health assessment.
• Identify and observe the levels of organization in a human body.
• Use a digital microscope to capture a photomicrograph of human cells.
• Identify cellular structures from a photomicrograph of a slide.
• Construct a model that mimics the function of the respiratory system and muscle system.
• Design for a mechanical replacement for a human organ.

Essential Questions:

• How can pollution affect my health?

Career Connections:

• Firefighters
• Medical Assistants
• Medical Lab Technicians
• Nurse Anesthetists
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
• Respiratory Therapists

In Building Bridges, students work as civil engineers for the Plan-it Span-it bridge construction company while exploring types of bridges and the roles civil engineers play in the design and construction of bridges and other projects. Students work through the stages of the engineering design process as they design, plan, construct, and test a model balsa bridge using given specifications. Students also learn how to use equipment designed specifically for building the model as well as techniques to improve the design.

Objectives:

• Learn about types of bridges.
• Brainstorm possible bridge designs and sketch those designs.
• Select a final bridge design for proposal and create detailed drawings.
• Identify the forces of compression, tension, and torsion.
• Distinguish between static and dynamic forces in relation to load on a bridge.
• Create a detailed technical drawing of a selected bridge design.
• Test the bridge to failure and record relevant data.
• Propose possible improvements to the bridge design.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best bridge design for spanning a distance?

Career Connections:

• Architects
• Civil Engineers
• Construction Workers
• Contractors

In Communications, students learn the essential elements of a communications system, create a simple communications system, complete several types of drafting sketches, learn about fiber-optic transmission systems, and engineer a communications system.

Objectives:

• Learn the essential parts of a communications system.
• Define communication and graphic communication.
• Complete a communication activity.
• Learn how graphic communication is used to convey ideas.
• List the components of a graphic communications system.
• Complete sketches: orthographic, isometric, and oblique.
• Complete a time line of printing history.
• Use a printing process to print a design.
• Learn how telecommunications systems function.
• Develop a working communications system.
• Transmit a message using your communications system.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best way to transmit a signal in a communications system?

Career Connections:

• Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians
• Computer Network Architects
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Line Installers and Repairers
• Technicians
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers

In Contraptions, students explore how simple machines are used to accomplish work. Students conduct an experiment to see how energy and work are conserved when using simple machines. Working together, students explore the six classical simple machines, the use of simple machines throughout history, modern applications of these ancient devices, and how the mechanical advantage of these machines affects the effort required to perform a task. The Expedition culminates with the Siege Machine Challenge in which students engineer a siege machine that is made up of two or more simple machines.

Objectives:

• Identify the six simple machines.
• Explore the concept of work.
• Experiment with an inclined plane to see how simple machines conserve energy.
• Explore the uses of inclined planes, wedges, and screws.
• Conduct experiments to see how these machines change the effort required to do work.
• Calculate the mechanical advantage of a TETRIX® PRIME Thumbscrew.
• Use interpolation and extrapolation to predict the effort required to lift a load.
• Draw conclusions about the relationship between lever arm length, effort force, and mechanical advantage.
• Investigate how wheel and axles accomplish work.
• Conduct a pulley experiment with several different pulley systems.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best way to use simple machines to make work easier?

Career Connections:

• Automotive Designers
• Construction Workers
• Kinesiologists
• Mechanical Engineers
• Playground Engineers
• Tool Fabricators

In Creative Composites, students learn about the different types and uses of composites as well as create and test various composites to determine their resistance to deflection. Students design and create a composite material that they think best resists deflection and provides the lightest weight.

Objectives:

• Explore the history of composites.
• Learn advantages and disadvantages of using composites.
• Create a lamination composite.
• Create a hand layup composite.
• Create a random arrangement composite.
• Create a sandwich composite.
• Perform deflection testing of each sample composite.

Essential Questions:

• What materials are best combined to create a strong, yet lightweight, composite beam?

Career Connections:

• Chemical Technicians
• Chemists and Materials Scientists
• Industrial Engineering Technicians
• Material Engineers
• Metal and Plastic Machine Workers
• Woodworkers

In Cultivating Our Future, students investigate factors that affect agricultural food production in America. They explore the concept of sustainable farming, how technology has changed agriculture in the US, and modern trends related to urban farming. Students start a radish garden and make observations of the garden at different stages of growth. They also engineer and test a greenhouse that meets certain construction requirements.

Objectives:

• Explore the concept of sustainable farming.
• Determine the amount of land available on Earth that is suitable for agriculture.
• Plant a glove garden.
• Compare traditional and organic farming practices.
• Describe how the cycling of Earth’s materials produces soil.
• Complete an activity to determine the amount of usable farmland on Earth.
• Explore how technology has changed agriculture in the US.
• Explore modern trends related to urban farming.
• Engineer a greenhouse that meets specific requirements.
• Conduct an experiment with your model greenhouse to determine its effectiveness.
• Explore the role Earth’s water cycle plays in irrigating farmland.
• Conduct a case study on how irrigation has affected certain areas of the world.
• Graph and analyze experimental data.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best way to increase the quantity and quality of America’s food supply?

Career Connections:

• Biologists
• Farmers
• Florists
• Genetic Engineers
• Ranchers
• Urban Planners
• Veterinarians

In Design Time, students participate in a contest for the Time Town Clock Shop. Students use the engineering design process to develop a new clock and then create a plan to market it to potential customers. They learn the four key components of a marketing program: products, promotion, price, and distribution. After completing the marketing plan, students share it with a public audience.

Objectives:

• Explore time technologies.
• Plan a clock design.
• Determine a suggested selling price.
• Use a peer review process.
• Calculate costs and selling price.
• Create a clock prototype.
• Calculate actual cost and suggest a selling price.
• Identify the ideal customer.
• Project possible profits from clock sales.
• Decide what promotion method works best for the clock.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best way to bring a technology to market?

Career Connections:

• Advertising Managers
• Craft Artists
• Graphic Designers
• Marketing Managers
• Promotions Managers
• Retail Entrepreneurs
• Sales Managers

In Dragster Design, students follow given specifications to design, build, and test a CO2 dragster. Students test different axle materials to determine the axle with the least friction in an attempt to create the fastest dragster.

Objectives:

• Explore the design process.
• Identify the design constraints.
• Create design alternatives.
• Finalize the dragster design.
• Transfer design to body blank.
• Create the final shape of the dragster.
• Verify the dragster meets all specifications.
• Assemble the dragster.
• Verify all constraints are met.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best material to use for a CO2 dragster axle to reduce friction and produce the fastest dragster?

Career Connections:

• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
• Electromechanical Technicians
• Mechanical Engineering Technicians
• Mechanical Engineers

In Electric Tech, students participate in a training program for a stage lighting company that invents new types of lights. Students learn about the basics of electricity; different ways to wire an electric circuit; and how electrical properties of a circuit, such as voltage, current, and resistance, are related to one another. They complete their training by engineering a new light circuit for the company.

Objectives:

• Generate static electricity.
• Use a Van de Graaff generator to experiment with static electricity.
• Draw a wiring schematic.
• Build a motor circuit.
• Measure voltage, resistance, and current.
• Use schematic symbols to create a wiring schematic of a motor circuit.
• Learn about and measure voltage, resistance, and current.
• Determine the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance.
• Conduct an experiment to measure voltage, current, and resistance for various lengths of wire.
• Determine how Ohm’s law relates voltage, current, and resistance.
• Calculate the cost of electricity.
• Design a stage light circuit based on given specifications and requirements.
• Use the engineering design process to create a light circuit that meets the design requirements.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best way to wire a circuit?

Career Connections:

• Circuit Design Engineers
• Electrical Drafters
• Electrical Engineers
• Electricians
• Electromechanical Technicians

In Engineering Rockets, students work with a partner to compete in one of three rocket engineering challenges: soaring to the highest altitude, carrying a payload to the highest altitude, or achieving the longest flight time. He or she follows the engineering design process to design and build a rocket that meets the given challenge constraints and specifications. During the design process, students apply knowledge gained about aerodynamics and the forces that act on rockets. While competing in the challenge, students use properties of triangles to calculate rocket apogee. After the competition, they evaluate the rocket’s performance and make design improvements. 

Objectives: 

• Identify the forces on a rocket. 
• Construct an altitude scope. 
• Learn how the sum of the forces on a rocket affect its motion. 
• Use math to determine rocket altitude. 
• Conduct a propulsion experiment on the launch range. 
• Explore the aerodynamics of rockets. 
• Learn about rocket recovery systems. 
• Design a rocket that will compete in the engineering challenge. 

Essential Questions: 

• How are models useful in the engineering design process? 

Career Connections: 

• Aerodynamic Engineer 
• Physicists 
• Propulsion Engineers 
• Rocket Scientists 
• Technologists 

In Everyday Electricity, students explore the basics of electricity and electrical circuits. They learn about charged particles and use a Van de Graaff generator to investigate the fundamentals of static electricity. Students learn about basic circuit schematics, wire a simple circuit, and wire series and parallel circuits to investigate how voltage, current, and resistance behave. Using Watt’s law, students calculate the power and work required to keep electricity flowing through the circuit. The investigations culminate with a circuit engineering activity in which students must design a circuit that meets certain requirements and specifications.

Objectives:

• Learn how electricity is generated.
• Explore the source of electricity for your location.
• Learn the relationship between magnetism and electricity.
• Learn about the electrical transmission and distribution system.
• Learn how the electrical grid is interconnected.
• Learn how transformers work.
• Identify load ratings on electrical outlets.
• Calculate the load on an electrical circuit.
• Identify types of breakers.
• Identify a branch circuit.
• Calculate the load on a branch circuit.
• Identify wire amperage capacity.
• Learn how to wire a 120-volt duplex receptacle.

Essential Questions:

• What is the most efficient way to transmit electricity?

Career Connections:

• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Construction Laborers and Helpers
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Electrical and Electronics Technicians
• Electricians
• Line Installers and Repairers

In Flight Dynamics, students work as an assistant for a student competition company. Students use aerodynamic principles to design and build a motorized paper airplane for a flight competition. Utilizing data from experiments and trial flights, they create the best possible plane and then design a fair competition based on the results.

Objectives:

• Explore basic aerodynamics.
• Learn the important parts of a plane.
• Analyze paper planes.
• Explore the forces that act on a plane.
• Experiment with wing design.
• Design paper plane experiments.
• Analyze data collected from experiments.
• Conduct test flights.
• Design a fun contest based on plane capabilities.
• Participate in at least two competitions.

Essential Questions:

• How can aircraft be designed for most efficient flight?

Career Connections:

• Aerospace Engineers
• Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians
• Mechanical Engineers
• Pilots

In Fueling the Future, students explore energy terminology; learn about the sources and types of energy; and determine the characteristics of renewable, nonrenewable, and perpetual energy. Students investigate several sources of alternative energy, explore combustion engines, perform a fermentation experiment, and develop ideas for sustainable fuel sources to be used on a hypothetical island.

Objectives: 

• Learn about the sources and types of energy. 
• Discover the meanings of energy terms. 
• Learn about the types of energy. 
• Learn about traditional energy. 
• Learn about the internal combustion engine. 
• Complete a biomass activity. 
• Explore nontraditional energy sources. 
• Complete a geothermal heat pump activity. 
• Complete a wind power activity. 
• Explore solar power as an energy source. 
• Explore photovoltaic solar power. 
• Explore direct solar heating. 
• Create a plan for a self-sustaining power system to power an island. 

Essential Questions: 

• What fuels can be used to replace fossil fuels as the major source of energy? 

Career Connections: 

• Architects 
• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 
• Electrical Engineers 
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers 
• Mechanical Engineers 
• Small Engine Mechanics 
• Solar Photovoltaic Installers 
• Wind Turbine Technicians 

In Future Footprints, students explore environmental issues and examine cases with disastrous outcomes. Considering the need for alternative available energy sources, students experiment with methods that could be used in the absence of current solutions. They complete activities and conduct experiments related to green living and living without electricity and consider what they can do to become more environmentally responsible.

Objectives:

• Explore general environmental issues.
• Explore the basics of electricity supplies.
• Examine everyday electricity usage.
• Experiment with green technology.
• Explain how electricity is transported.
• Identify alternatives for electrical devices.
• Build and test a solar water heater.
• Examine problems caused by fossil fuels.
• Experiment with clean water solutions.
• Analyze pollution data.
• Explain acids and bases.
• Build and test a water filtration and distillation system.
• Design and build a roundhouse that uses geothermal practices.
• Conduct a designed experiment using a model.

Essential Questions:

• What can we do to become more environmentally responsible?

Career Connections:

• Actors
• Environmental Engineering Technicians
• Environmental Engineers
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
• Health and Safety Engineers
• Mining and Geological Engineers

In Get a Grip, students test potential polymers to be used in developing a prototype that will help rock wall climbers grip holds better. Observing chemical and physical changes as well as exploring characteristics of natural and synthetic polymers will provide opportunities for students to better understand the world of polymer science.

Objectives:

• Compare natural and synthetic materials.
• Identify chemical and physical reactions.
• Record stress points of materials.
• Complete an activity with PVA.
• Complete an activity with silicone.
• Decide the best material for a prototype.
• Imagine and plan a prototype.
• Make a prototype using a selected material.
• Suggest ways to improve a prototype.

Essential Questions:

• How do synthetic materials affect our lives?

Career Connections:

• Chemical Engineers
• Chemists
• Clothing Designers
• Entrepreneurs
• Professional Athletes

In Growing Up, students consider vertical farming as an option for providing fresh produce in their school. After exploring ecosystem-related and building subsystem standards, students design a possible vertical farm system for their school.

Objectives:

• Germinate seeds.
• Examine resource availability in ecosystems.
• Plant seeds in a medium.
• Explore interactions across ecosystems.
• Monitor plant growth.
• Experiment with capillary action in plants.
• Explore changes to an ecosystem.
• Experiment with flow rate.
• Explore biodiversity in an ecosystem.
• Explore different vertical farm systems.
• Design a vertical farm.

Essential Questions:

• How can growing crops indoors affect future food production?

Career Connections:

• Architects
• Chefs
• Dieticians
• Entrepreneurs
• Urban Farmers

In Innovating Solutions, students learn about the processes used to develop new ideas, inventions, and innovations including problem-solving models, the engineering design loop, and the Universal Systems Model of technology. Utilizing these processes and critical-thinking skills, students solve problems and challenges from simple brainteasers to an engineering design competition. They also explore the roles and relationships among the fields of science, technology, and engineering in developing new inventions and innovations.

Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the strategies and processes that drive invention and innovation.
• Invent a product that meets a need.
• Understand the difference between invention and innovation.
• Explore strategies to solve problems and engineer solutions.
• Understand the importance of criteria and constraints.
• Explore the roles technology has played throughout history, society, and other fields of study.
• Overcome several design challenges while building a TETRIX® PRIME vehicle.
• Solve an engineering problem with a vehicle’s chassis.
• Solve an engineering problem with a vehicle’s propulsion.
• Use systems thinking and the USM to break down an engineering project.

Essential Questions:

• How are the processes and strategies of invention or innovation useful for creating new products?

Career Connections:

• Engineers
• Inventors
• Maintenance Mechanics
• Project Managers
• Systems Developers
• Technicians and Technologists

In Looks Like Rain, students build instruments to measure changes in weather conditions. Using data from observations, students predict weather events with reasonable accuracy. Also, they develop a response system that can be used in extreme weather situations.

Objectives:

• Explore global weather.
• Record weather measurements over a seven-day period.
• Explore temperature-dependent events related to weather.
• Examine light intensity data.
• Explore relationships between temperature and weather.
• Determine a preferred temperature scale.
• Explore wind and ocean currents and relate them to weather events.
• Build an instrument to measure wind speed.
• Construct an anemometer and wind vane.
• Explore atmospheric pressure.
• Construct an instrument to measure changes in atmospheric pressure.
• Explore air mass system interactions.
• Examine the effect of weather fronts.
• Construct and calibrate a barometer and record changes in barometric pressure.
• Build a functional rain gauge.

Essential Questions:

• How can human behavior be affected by weather predictions?

Career Connections:

• Agricultural Managers
• Farmers
• Grounds Maintenance Specialists
• Hydrologists
• Meteorologists
• Ranchers

In Making Waves, students explore the properties of sound waves including frequency, wavelength, and amplitude; discover how the ear interprets sound; and experiment with a variety of waves. Students design and create a tunable music instrument with a unique sound.

Objectives:

• Explore basic sound waves.
• Experiment with a variety of waves.
• Explore different types of instruments.
• Experiment with acoustics.
• Create a working prototype of a tunable music instrument.
• Perform a musical selection using your tunable music instrument.

Essential Questions:

• How can I make a tunable music instrument with a unique sound?

Career Connections:

• Composers
• Music Directors
• Music Producers
• Musicians
• Sound Engineers
• Sound Technicians

In Mining Mechanics, students explore the theory of continental drift and how the geologic boundaries between plates result in uneven distribution of minerals on Earth. Students also work with a heavy hydraulic digger to determine a system that optimizes the moving of material for a mining operation.

Objectives:

• Explore continental drift.
• Identify regions on Earth where minerals are in higher concentration.
• Identify the geologic processes involved in mineral concentration.
• Identify convergent, divergent, and transform plate boundaries.
• Describe how mineral deposits are made in subduction zones.
• Learn how to use the heavy hydraulic digger.
• Experiment with different bucket types.
• Explore hydraulics.
• Experiment with different hydraulic arrangements in different soil types.
• Test to determine digging speed using different combinations on a soil type.
• Recommend the optimal bucket and hydraulic arrangement for the digger.

Essential Questions:

• What is the most efficient way to mine materials?

Career Connections:

• Geological Technicians
• Geoscientists
• Heavy Vehicle Technicians
• Material Moving Machine Operators
• Mining and Geological Engineers

In Optical Solutions, students use optical devices such as lenses and mirrors to manipulate light waves. Using knowledge of optics, students help plan, build, test, and improve a 3-D movie viewer for a smartphone or small mobile device.

Objectives:

• Investigate how light travels in waves.
• Experiment with mixing different colors of light.
• Explore how light interacts with objects.
• Conduct an investigation to determine how frequency and wavelength affect color.
• Determine how lenses refract light.
• Investigate how lenses can be used to correct vision problems.
• Refract light using converging and diverging lenses.
• Plan and test a laser security system.
• Predict the angle at which light will strike and reflect off a mirror.
• Investigate the applications of curved mirrors.
• Plan and build a prototype of a 3-D movie viewer.

Essential Questions:

• What are the most useful applications of optics?

Career Connections:

• Astronomers
• Ophthalmologists
• Optical Engineers
• Optometrists
• Photographers
• Photonics Researchers

In Rolling Robots, students work as robotics drive engineers for the Fleet Robots corporation. Students learn how and where robots are utilized, explore gear arrangements to change the speed of a robot, and assemble a robot with metal beams and plastic connector pieces.

Objectives:

• Identify tasks robots are best suited for.
• Identify various parts used to construct a robot.
• Assemble a base robot.
• Determine the speed of the robot.
• Determine the effect of adding gears to a driveline.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best way to arrange gears for proper movement of a robot?

Career Connections:

• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
• Electromechanical Technicians
• Mechanical Engineering Technicians
• Mechanical Engineers

In Safe Food, students work as assistants to a state health official to learn how the food in the food supply is tested and how to prioritize resources for food testing. Students learn about food chemistry by completing comparison studies of the six major nutrients and also investigate the digestive processes, both mechanical and chemical, in humans and how it works to deter foodborne illness. They discover how bacteria and other contaminants can cause food poisoning and learn safe food practices. The Expedition culminates with students developing new guidelines for the state health official.

Objectives:

• Evaluate safe food practices.
• Become familiar with food safety inspection forms.
• Complete a safety inspection form on a kitchen.
• Explore chromatography as a means to identify components.
• Use chromatography to determine the components of an unknown solution.
• Model the chemical structure of a macromolecule.
• Construct a model of glucose.
• Test for the presence of fat in different food samples.
• Construct a model of the human digestive system to compare the relative length of each part.
• Experiment with the effects of acid and enzymes in different combinations on various foods.
• Evaluate kitchens using an established evaluation form.

Essential Questions:

• How should the safety decisions about food and food supplies be prioritized?

Career Connections:

• Chefs
• Food Science Technicians
• Food Scientists
• Health Inspectors
• Kitchen Designers
• Sous Chefs
• Waiters/Waitresses

In Theme Park Physics, students explore the physics of amusement park rides, especially the role energy plays in causing these rides to be fun yet safe. They design roller coasters and other rides to determine the relationships between potential and kinetic energy.

Objectives:

• Investigate the concepts of work and energy.
• Analyze the factors that affect potential energy.
• Conduct an experiment to measure potential energy for a model roller coaster with various starting heights.
• Analyze the factors that affect kinetic energy.
• Conduct an experiment to measure kinetic energy for a model roller coaster traveling at different velocities.
• Determine how energy is transferred between potential, kinetic, and unusable forms during a roller coaster ride.
• Explain how conservation of energy relates to a roller coaster train as it travels down the track.
• Differentiate between centripetal and centrifugal force.
• Design and build a roller coaster that meets specific requirements.

Essential Questions:

• What makes a ride fun, yet safe?

Career Connections:

• Amusement and Recreation Attendants
• Architectural Designers and Managers
• Electronic Engineers
• Health and Safety Engineers
• Maintenance Technicians
• Roller Coaster Designers

In Thermal Physics, students work as employees of a box manufacturing company to design and create a container that minimizes temperature change in order to ship a temperature-sensitive product. Students learn about temperature, heat, and the different ways heat is transferred. Students also conduct an investigation to discover how heat transfer is affected by the type of matter and the mass of a substance and determine the energy changes that occur based on the temperature differential.

Objectives:

• Determine the difference between heat and temperature.
• Identify differences in heat energy in different states of matter.
• Use a calorimeter to measure changes in the amount of energy.
• Determine the amount of heat energy in a substance.
• Identify the ways heat is transferred.
• Design and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of matter type, substance mass, and temperature change on the transfer of heat energy.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best design for a shipping container to minimize heat loss or gain?

Career Connections:

• Assemblers and Fabricators
• Industrial Designers
• Industrial Engineers
• Logisticians
• Quality Control Inspectors

In Tower Power, students work as civil engineers for the Tower Up construction company, exploring the purposes of towers and the roles civil engineers play in the design and construction of towers and other projects. They work through the stages of the engineering design process while designing, planning, constructing, and testing a model balsa wood tower using given specifications. Students also learn how to use equipment designed specifically for building their model as well as techniques to improve the design.

Objectives:

• Explore the civil engineering career.
• Learn about the types of towers.
• Find out what kinds of forces act on a tower.
• Brainstorm possible tower designs and sketch those designs.
• Select a final tower design for proposal and create detailed drawings.
• Construct a tower model.
• Learn to use the Structures Testing Instrument safely.
• Test the tower, evaluate results, and propose improvements to the design.
• Calculate the efficiency of your tower design using the data from your test.

Essential Questions:

• What is the best tower design for a cell phone tower?

Career Connections:

• Architects
• Civil Engineers
• Construction Workers
• Contractors

In Transportation Stations, students work as assistant logisticians. They explore how transportation technology has changed throughout history, determine how loads affect vehicle speed, and use logistics to participate in a challenge. Two different gear ratios are used to show differences in speed. The challenge enables students to test predicted and actual transportation times.

Objectives:

• Explore transportation technologies throughout history.
• Identify important historical events in transportation.
• Forecast trends in transportation.
• Conduct an activity relating load and time for a 2:1 gear ratio.
• Predict times for a 2:1 gear ratio.
• Explore vehicle subsystems.
• Examine the influence of government regulations on transportation.
• List process activities for various hubs or terminals.
• Plan a shipping log for the Shipping Challenge.
• Use the design process to design a future transportation technology.

Essential Questions:

• How can new transportation technologies affect product availability?

Career Connections:

• Aerospace Engineers
• Bus Drivers
• Logisticians
• Material Moving Machine Operators
• Mechanical Engineers
• Pilots
• Railroad Occupations
• Truck Drivers

In Urban Wind Farm, students work as assistants to an architect specializing in tall buildings. Students investigate how wind energy can be converted to electricity by designing wind farms for tall buildings. The project can be extended so students can design and build a site-specific installation using their wind generator.

Objectives:

• Analyze wind-availability data.
• Explore how wind is created.
• Measure outputs for a small-scale wind generator.
• Compare wind speed to output.
• Construct a wind generator.
• Measure wind speed and voltage output.
• Compare series and parallel circuits.
• Record voltage output of series and parallel wind generators.
• Provide and receive feedback using peer review.
• Use feedback to make design improvements.
• Design a site-specific installation that uses wind as a power source.
• Use the engineering design process to create a site-specific installation.