Engineering - A New Chapter

For the 2017-2018 School Year my school started an Engineering Class!  Students in grades 5th-8th engage in Engineering Challenges twice a week.  I was asked to teach this class and, to be honest, I was slightly intimidated.  However, I have the full support of my administration and my MSUrbanSTEM Fellowship has been a huge source of resources and support.

​Below are some resources and activities I have collected this year so far.  I am still learning and growing so be sure to check back from time to time.
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5th Grade Challenges

  • Catapults
  • Cool Puppy! Challenge  
  • One STEM Chicago! Spaghetti Towers
  • Makey Makey Challenge 

6th Grade Challenges

  • Catapults
  • Cool Puppy! Challenge
  • One STEM Chicago! Spaghetti Towers
  • Hummingbird Kit Challenge

7th Grade Challenges

  • Air Pollution Detector
  • Project Birdman - Build a Bird Beak to Survive a Feeding Frenzy!
  • One STEM Chicago! Spaghetti Towers
  • Circuit Board Challenge - Build  a Circuit Quiz Board
  • Makey Makey Challenge

8th Grade Challenges

  • Bridge Challenge
  • One STEM Chicago! Spaghetti Towers
  • Makey Makey Challenge
  • Incubator Challenge
  • NASA Solar Pump Challenge

Resources - Below are resources and Websites I have found helpful this year.

  • Teach Engineering (https://www.teachengineering.org/)  This Resource has many ideas and complete lesson plans.  A must for any STEM teacher!
  • One STEM Chicago (https://sites.google.com/view/onestemchicago/home)  Chicago Public Schools started this initiative in 2015.  A good source for ideas of what district wide schools can do together.
  • Makey Makey kits (https://makeymakey.com/) This device has been a great find!  Students can turn any item that conducts electricity into a computer key!  
  • Hummingbird Kits (https://www.hummingbirdkit.com/) This device allows students to make simple robots out of everyday materials.