Engineering and Science Activities
This page serves as a directory of ready-to-use activities and curricula for informal science educators to engage students with engineering and science.
- Virtual Tour of the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
The United States Department of Energy has created a virtual tour of it's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL). With a special welcome from Director Dr. Allison A. Campbell, interviews of other female scientists, and detailed explanations of the equipment found at the EMSL. Walk the halls and explore the day in the life of a scientist!
- Nanotube Balloons (NISEnet)
A large display made of baloons that can be used to draw visitors to a program on nanotechnology. The model can be pre-constructed by museum staff, or visitors can belp to build it. The baloon structure is an intriguing hook for programs related to carbon.
- NSBE Activity Library
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), offers a list of ready to use informal science and engineering activities that are fun and aim to positively impact communities.
- Children's Engineering Educators, LLC
CEE is a member based organization of experienced elementary school teachers who believe that hands-on learning, involved with children's engineering, and technology education develops critical thinking skills and encourages children of all learning abilities to develop essential knowledge in this rapidly changing world. Click on the link to find design briefs and ready to use activities that bring the T and E to STEM education.
- SciGirls Connect
The PBS Kids series SciGirls has grown into a far-reaching transmedia enterprise, serving girls, families and educators in both English and Spanish. Based on the best practices in STEM education for girls, SciGirls’ videos, online resources, hands-on activities and professional development work together to address a singular but powerful goal: to inspire, enable, and maximize STEM learning and participation for all girls, encouraging greater interest in STEM careers.
- Fetch
Part game show, part reality TV, and part Spoof, FETCH! features real kids, real challenges and real science. Download "real world" activities on the go!
- ZOOM
Activities for kids, by kids. ZOOM is a daily interactive television series that challenges elementary age students to "turn off the TV and do it!" The ZOOM website offers directions to all of the activities from the show.
- Tri-IT
Tri-IT provides unique opportunities for high school girls to participate in interactive technology experiences. The curriculum includes research-based strategies to engage girls in IT, math, and science.
- Design Squad Nation
Design Squad offers ideas for science and engineering activities in an informal setting. Includes plans for building a machine out of cardboard and designing a mini alarm. Design Squad is also a TV program with episodes that can be viewed online.
- Computer Science Unplugged
CS Unplugged is a free resourece that teaches computer science through fun engaging activities, suitable for people of all ages.
- Agilent Technologies
Agilent After School kits include hands-on life, physical and earth-science experiments that have been designed as complete "programs-in-a-box."
- Rocket Launch
AAAS ScienceNetLinks activity created for students to explore the design considerations of rocket models.
- Make a Mission
AAAS ScienceNetLinks provides a lesson on technology that teaches students how humans collect scientific data and information on a faraway terrestrial planets and the constraints of designing a spacecraft to carry this data.
- Leonardo's Machines
This lesson highlights some of Leonardo da Vinci's futuristic inventions, introducing the elements of machines. Leonardo provides an interesting context in which students can begin to develop their ideas about the uniqueness of humans in the natural world.
- How To Smile
SMILE is a national partnership among science and technology centers, museums, community-based organizations, and out-of-school educators that collects the best educational materials on the web and creates learning activities, tools, and services – all designed especially for those who teach school-aged kids in non-classroom settings.
- NASA BEST (Beginning, Science, Engineering, Technology)
The NASA's BEST Activities Guides have been designed to bring the principles of engineering alive to younger audiences. The activities can be used as in-school curriculum or after-school clubs; as a set or individually.
- Discovery Engineering
Discovery Engineering is designed to provide an accessible introduction to engineering. Includes games, an idea center, FAQs, downlads, links, and a section about the different careers in engineering.
- NASA Science and Engineering Activities
NASA has developed a variety of activities to engage students of all ages in hands-on exploration of science and engineering. Girls RISEnet has selected activities that are particularly relevant to informal science organizations.
- Engineer’s Corner
Welcome to the Minority Scientists Network page for professional engineers and engineering students (9-12). You will appreciate this site focused on funding opportunities, engineers and their careers, and engineering articles.
- Interactive Bridge Building
Take the opportunity to experience one of the greatest engineering feats of ancient times: Xerxes’ bridge over the Hellespont. Phoenician and Egyptian engineers built this marvel in 480 B.C. – and this site allows students to build their own bridge to cross the Hellespont!
- TryEngineering
TryEngineering.org – a resource for students, their parents, their teachers, and their school counselors – is a portal about engineering and engineering careers that is designed to help young people understand better what engineering means and how an engineering career can be made part of their future.
- TryNano
This is a resource for anyone interested in learning about Nanoscience and Nanotechnology – technical fields that focus on matter at the nanoscale: dimensions that are roughly 1 to 100 nanometers (1nm = 10-9m).
- Try Science
TryScience.org is designed for you to experience the excitement of contemporary science and technology through on and off line interactivity with science centers worldwide.
- A Sightseer ’s Guide to Engineering
A Sightseer's Guide to Engineering takes you to engineering creations across the United States. Find fun and stimulating destinations while learning how engineering improves our quality of life and helps make our economy go. Photos and maps included.
- The Science Inside Alcohol
The Science Inside project has an interactive science and health curriculum for middle school students and their families on how alcohol affects their bodies.
- Calculation Nation!
Challenge opponents from anywhere in the world while investigating significant mathematical content and practicing fundamental skills. “Dig It” challenges players to place fractions on a number line while digging for gemstones. “Drop Zone” continues the fraction challenge by having players add fractions to collect more tokens than their opponents. Other games include "Square Off", "Factor Dazzle", "Faction Feud", and more!
- Dynamic Paper
Need a pentagon pyramid that’s six inches tall? Or a number line that goes from -18 to 32 by 5’s? Or a set of pattern block where all shapes have one-inch sides? You can create all those things and more with this tool. Place the images you want, and then export it as a PDF activity sheet for your students or as a JPEG image for use in other applications or on the web.
- Earthquakes
Thinkfinity has earthquake resources from National Geographic and the American Association for the Advancement of Science to help your kids learn about the causes of earthquakes and natural hazards around the world.
- Science NetLinks
Are your students up for a challenge? Do they think they can build it better? Why not engage them in the process of testing and evaluating designs? Try the following lessons: Build a Better Pencil (K-2); Systems, Up, Up and Away! (3-5); Buoyant Boats (3-5); and Designing a Space Station (9-12).
- Images of Science
Explore how doing science involves many different kinds of work and engages men and women of all ages and backgrounds (3-5).
- Digital Workshops
Learn how to be a better parent, teacher or caregiver to the “digital natives” in your life and gain the knowledge and skills for understanding, analyzing and participating in our technology-infused world.
- LifeWorks
Use this interactive web site from the Science Education Office at the National Institutes of Health to explore over 100 health and medical science careers. Includes a career finder tool, interviews with professionals who share why they chose their career, what their typical workday involves, what they like best/least about their work, and what their career goals are.