Mechanical Engineering Activities

Levitating Objects

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Students understand the generation of static electricity through the interaction of hair rubbing against a balloon. The generation of electricity can then be observed through the attractive and repulsive forces that can make light objects appear to levitate.

 

Find the Best Pinwheel

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Students create three different wind turbine blade designs to understand how the shape of the blades can affect the amount of energy generated from the wind. Students will learn the basic components that make up a wind turbine and the effect of aerodynamics has on the efficiency of generating electricity from wind.

 

Gear Up Your Candy

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Students understand the importance of gears through building and designing simple candy models. By varying the size and amount of teeth (represented by the candy) of the gears, students can understand how different ratios can generate different amounts of work.

Levitating Objects

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Students understand the generation of static electricity through the interaction of hair rubbing against a balloon. The generation of electricity can then be observed through the attractive and repulsive forces that can make light objects appear to levitate.

 

Lift a Load Using Liquids

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Hydraulic lifts are a useful tool commonly used in construction sites, mechanic shops, and even desk chairs. Through this simple model, students will understand the mechanics of how a hydraulic lift works. They will be able to test how much weight the simple model can lift and create alternative designs to optimize the model to lift heavier loads.

 

Density Simulation

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Using this simulation, have students use the principle of density to make 3 boats of different material and density to see how they float.  Use coins to place in the boat and test the floating capabilities.

Levitating Objects

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Students understand the generation of static electricity through the interaction of hair rubbing against a balloon. The generation of electricity can then be observed through the attractive and repulsive forces that can make light objects appear to levitate.

 

FreeCAD

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Students download a free CAD software where they can generate a gear of their choice. Students will understand how mechanical engineers utilized computer animation software to design components that can later be built through use of 3D printing.

 

Build a Hydraulic Elevator

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Students utilize basic building materials to design and build a hydraulic elevator. This project will demonstrate the importance of design to understand how multiple components can work together to perform the desired task.