CIESE - Curriculum: K-12 CIESE Engineering Projects

Engineering Projects

What Can I Build On?

The ability of buildings to withstand earthquakes is dependent on maintaining structural integrity on the substrate in which the building is constructed. This lesson will challenge students to design and test building design modifications capable of withstanding liquefaction.

Recommended for Grades 6 - 12

Designing an Earthquake-resistant Structure

In this activity students will take part in an engineering design experience that allows them to observe how sudden acceleration as experienced during a seismic event can lead to structural failure and discover what building characteristics most affect stability

Recommended for Grades 6 -12

Using Boiling Water to Create Clean Water

The goal is for students to figure out how to collect the steam from boiling "polluted" water and then let it condense in a new container to create pure, clean water.

Recommended for Grades 6-12

Design a Travel Bag

Students will use the engineering design process to generate research questions, brainstorm ideas, design, build, and test a prototype travel bag for their stowaway adventure.

Recommended for Grades 5-8

Design a Pump (Coming Soon!)

Students design and test a simple hand pump to remove water from an area flooded by a Tsunami.

Recommended for Grades 6-12

Whichever Way the Wind Blows

In this lesson students will solve the problem: How can we tell which way the wind is blowing? They will design and construct a windsocks to gather data about wind direction.

Recommended for Grades 1-5

Ant Day Care Center

In this lesson students will solve the problem: How can we house ants in a structure where we will be able to observe/study them? Students will use the Engineering Design Process to create a suitable container/habitat for keeping and observing ants for one day.

Recommended for Grades 1-5

Mini-Squares of Life

Students will design and construct a device, a "mini-square marker," that they will use in a school yard investigation. This leson complements the project lesson "Field Trip to Our Scquare."

Recommended for Grades 1-5

Erosion – Can You Fight It?

How much energy is involved with waves and erosion? Can humans stop erosion of the shoreline? Should we? Is it cost effective? Students design a seawall to protect a major costal highway.

Recommended for Grades 6-12

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Young students design, build, and test a solution that will prevent bunnies from getting into a vegetable garden. Based on the book Muncha, Muncha, Muncha by Candace Fleming.

Recommended for Grades P-2

Scratch My Back

Young students design, build, and test out a device to scratch their backs. This lesson is based on the book Big Smelly Bear by Britta Teckentrup.

Recommended for Grades P-2

Classroom Projects