| Activity | Challenge | Grade Level |
Source | Time | Special Materials |
| Arch: Can you figure out the key to the keystone? | Arches & Compression | 3-4, 5-6 | ZOOM | 45 min. | n/a |
| *Column: Can you stand on paper cups without crushing them? | Forces & Loads | 3-4, 5-6 | ZOOM | 30 min. | n/a |
| Shapes of Strength: Using only paper, straws, tape, and paper clips, create structures that can support the weight of at least one textbook. | Shapes & Strength | 3-4, 5-6 | Teach Engineering | 40 min. | n/a |
| *Strongest Shape: Test four paper shapes. Which is the strongest? | Shapes & Strength | 3-4, 5-6 | ZOOM | 30 min. | n/a |
| *Under Pressure: How great is the water pressure? | Water Pressure | 3-4, 5-6 | Building Big | 45 min. | n/a |
| Under Pressure: Support a book with a sheet of paper? Give your paper a workout and make it stronger! | Shapes & Strength | 3-4, 5-6 | FETCH! | 45 min. | n/a |
| Arch Bridge: How do the abutments support an arch bridge? | Arches & Compression | 5-6, 7-8 | NOVA | 45 min. | n/a |
| Bridge Types: Tensile & Compressive Forces - Locate compressive and tensile forces acting on various types of bridges. | Forces & Loads | 5-6, 7-8 | Teach Engineering | 45 min. | Per group: 10 ft. string, 11 ft rope |
| *Columns: Can a toilet paper tube support your weight? | Forces & Loads | 5-6, 7-8 | Building Big | 30 min. | Toilet paper tubes, collected in advance |
| Critical Load: Learn how to reinforce the design of a structure to hold more weight. | Forces & Loads | 5-6, 7-8 | Try Engineering | 45 min. | n/a |
| Hang In There: What’s the strongest cable? | Forces & Loads | 5-6, 7-8 | Building Big | 30 min. | n/a |
| Load It Up! Test the maximum load that bridge piers can withstand. | Forces & Loads | 5-6, 7-8 | Teach Engineering | 45 min. | Per group: scale. Per team: modeling clay pieces (2x2x 3 in); high-density h foam, about 11 ft. .x 1-2-in. thick |
| Shake It Up! Engineering for Seismic Waves: Design and build shake tables to test the ability of buildings to withstand earthquakes. | Stability | 5-6, 7-8 | Teach Engineering | 2 hour | For leader: a shake table, using a variable speed drill (instructions for building included); Per group of builders: shoebox, wooden board (sized to fit in the bottom of shoebox with room to move in all directions), 10 marbles, hot glue gun |
| Shallow & Deep Foundations: Students investigate the differences between shallow and deep foundations. | Stability | 5-6, 7-8 | Teach Engineering | 1 hour | Per group: wood working tools: drill, drill bits, and a saw, and a scale. Per group of builders: cardboard box (12x12x12 in.); potting or top soil (about 2 gallons); rocks or pebbles (10 cups); sand (about 1.25 gallons); wood block (2x2x1 in. deep); ½-in at least 12.5 in. long. |
| Shapes That Make Structures Strong: Study the various shapes engineers choose to make structures strong. | Shapes & Strength | 5-6, 7-8 | Teacher’s Domain | 3 45-min. sessions | n/a |
| *Straw Shapes: Which shape is more stable, a triangle or square? | Shapes & Strength | 5-6, 7-8 | Building Big | 30 min. | n/a |
| The Squeeze is On: Learn about the force of compression and how it acts on structural components. | Forces & Loads | 5-6, 7-8 | Teach Engineering | 100 min. | Per group: Several cinder blocks (or uniform text books, piece of wood |
| Tug-Push-Twist-O’War: Hold a tug-push-twist-o'war to find out which materials can best withstand different forces. | Forces & Loads | 5-6, 7-8 | Building Big | 30 min. | Each team will pick 3 samples of 6 materials: yarn, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, clay, sponges, erasers, rubber bands, paper-towel tubes, pencils, cardboard, aluminum foil, straws, tiles, or cloth |
*Indicates whether an activity is suitable for a community event. Activities considered appropriate for a large-scale community event are attention-grabbing but simple; use inexpensive materials; require minimal instruction, supervision, and cleanup; and can be modified to take place over a short period of time (about 15-20 minutes).
