Grab your hard hat and tool belt for this lesson, exploring engineering and computer science with the scientific method.

Short Description: This is an inquiry investigation, geared toward student use of outdoor schoolyard sites. Its focus is to have students applying what they've learned about the scientific method and experimental design, gathering quantitative evidence to support hypotheses.

This activity is a lab investigation where students gather data which compares 2 types of bubble gum, while learning to use the scientific method to collect qualitative and quantitative data using SI units.

This activity can be used as an introduction to using the scientific method. It is relevant at all intermediate and high school levels( 6-12). Paper towels are used to introduce the basic steps of the scientific method and how it can be used to determine which type of paper towel is the most absorbent. Students will then use the scientific method to evaluate another property of the paper towel (e.g., strength, softness, etc).

This activity can be used as an introduction to using the scientific method. It is relevant at all intermediate and high school levels( 6-12). Paper towels are used to introduce the basic steps of the scientific method and how it can be used to determine which type of paper towel is the most absorbent. Students will then use the scientific method to evaluate another property of the paper towel (e.g., strength, softness, etc).

This activity can be used as an introduction to using the scientific method. It is relevant at all intermediate and high school levels( 6-12). Paper towels are used to introduce the basic steps of the scientific method and how it can be used to determine which type of paper towel is the most absorbent. Students will then use the scientific method to evaluate another property of the paper towel (e.g., strength, softness, etc).

This activity can be used as an introduction to using the scientific method. It is relevant at all intermediate and high school levels( 6-12). Paper towels are used to introduce the basic steps of the scientific method and how it can be used to determine which type of paper towel is the most absorbent. Students will then use the scientific method to evaluate another property of the paper towel (e.g., strength, softness, etc).

This activity is a lab investigation where students collect and analyze data on towers built with various components and compare the two.

This activity is to dispel the misconception that there is one single structured scientific method used by all scientists, and tackle some ethical issues raised in life. This is accomplished using the popular movie "Awakenings" and student observations and reflections.

How scientists and engineers follow similar methods to obtain their results. Scientists study how nature works, engineers create new things or products. When performing experiments  both disciplines sometimes use the other method to complete their work

In this activity, students act as engineers to determine which type of insulation would conserve the most energy.

This article details an investigation designed and carried out by fourth-grade students about bird behavior in cold weather.

Students explore how pendulums work and why they are useful in everyday applications. In a hands-on activity, they experiment with string length, pendulum weight and angle of release. In an associated literacy activity, students explore the mechanical concept of rhythm, based on the principle of oscillation, in a broader biological and cultural context in dance and sports, poetry and other literary forms, and communication in general.

Students are introduced to the engineering design process, focusing on the concept of brainstorming design alternatives. They learn that engineering is about designing creative ways to improve existing artifacts, technologies or processes, or developing new inventions that benefit society. Students come to realize that they can be engineers and use the design process themselves to create tomorrow's innovations.

Today's science standards encourage inquiry based activities and the best inquiry based activities result when an scientist and teacher collaborate. This activity was created by Dr. Alex Hastings, one of the scientists who helped discover Titanoboa, a large snake that existed 60 million years ago in South America. In this activity students will use the measurement of a Titanoboa vertebrae to estimate the size of the snake and the temperature that must have existed back then to allow the snake to get to such a large size.

Engineers design and implement many creative techniques for managing stormwater at its sources in order to improve and restore the hydrology and water quality of developed sites to pre-development conditions. Through the two lessons in this unit, students are introduced to green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) technologies, including green roofs and vegetative walls, bioretention or rain gardens, bioswales, planter boxes, permeable pavement, urban tree canopies, rainwater harvesting, downspout disconnection, green streets and alleys, and green parking. Student teams take on the role of stormwater engineers through five associated activities. They first model the water cycle, and then measure transpiration rates and compare native plant species. They investigate the differences in infiltration rates and storage capacities between several types of planting media before designing their own media mixes to meet design criteria. Then they design and test their own pervious pavement mix combinations. In the culminating activity, teams bring together all the concepts as well as many of the materials from the previous activities in order to create and install personal rain gardens. The unit prepares the students and teachers to take on the design and installation of bigger rain garden projects to manage stormwater at their school campuses, homes and communities.

Lesson length: 1-2 hoursGrade level: 6-8Students practice using the scientific method as they engineer methods to fix damaged mountain roads. Using engineering design thinking, students assess the problem(s), develop strategies for addressing them, budget for repairs, and create and test prototype solutions.This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1657263. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.