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Little Forces, Big Moves! 

Kindergarteners step into the shoes of a mechanical engineer as they explore forces and motion! Using push/pull factors, kindergarteners will learn about Newton’s second law of motion by creating ramps and examining factors that impact speed. Students will act as mechanical engineers, using the engineering design process to build critical thinking skills and spark creativity through hands-on activities. This lesson taps into the joy of experimentation while grounding students in real science and engineering practices. 

• Class set of materials needed:  Hotwheels cars (or similar), 2 foot long cardboard rectangles, 3 ramp supports (a book, a block, a box, etc: different heights), masking tape, recording sheet (provided in advance), pencils or crayons.

Let’s Talk About Sound

In this playful and powerful lesson, first-graders become electrical engineers-in-training, delving into the concepts of sounds and sound waves. Students will explore vibrations and sound waves to craft a new form of communication, experiment with different materials and test how tension and length affect sound clarity. Along the way, they’ll learn how engineers design systems to help people communicate across distances. Using the engineering design process, students will test, tweak and redesign their invention to create the clearest connection possible. With each whisper down the wire, they’re not just playing — they’re learning the science behind sound and the engineering behind communication. 

• Class set of materials needed: 3 types of cups (plastic, dixie, styrofoam, etc), tape, string.

Lift Off! The Weight of Flight

In this hands-on lesson, 2nd graders become aerospace engineers as they design, build, and test their own paper airplanes. Students explore how engineers use the forces of flight—lift, thrust, drag, and gravity—to make aircraft fly. Through materials design testing and flights, students discover how simple changes in materials can impact performance, while sparking curiosity about the science and engineering behind real airplanes.

• Class set of materials needed: 3 types of paper (cardstock, construction, tissue, printer, etc).  1 scale, and flight recording sheet (provided in advance).

Loopy Flight Challenge

In this exciting lesson, students take on the role of aerospace engineers as they design and launch hoop gliders—simple yet powerful models that reveal the science behind flight! By experimenting with different designs, students see how the forces of thrust, drag, lift, and gravity work together to create motion. This hands-on activity builds curiosity about aerospace engineering while giving students a fun way to explore how engineers solve real-world challenges of flight.

• Class set of materials needed: (per student or per student pair) 1 plastic straw, 1 indez card or strip of cardstock, cut into a strip 1.5” wide, tape, scissors, ruler, recording sheet (provided in advance).

Zip Line Rescue

There’s a daring rescue in progress, and only fourth-grade engineers can save the day! In this fast-paced, hands-on lesson, students design and test a working zip line system to safely transport a passenger to safety. Using the engineering design process, students explore force, gravity, energy transfer and friction as they build prototypes, refine their designs and problem-solve like real mechanical engineers. It’s a thrilling challenge where physics meets imagination — and every second counts!

• Class set of materials needed: (Per student team of 3-4 students) String or yarn (8–10 ft length for the zip line), paper or plastic cup, binder clips, toy, or small weights, tape (masking or scotch), straws (cut into 2-inch segments), rubber bands, scissors.

Tall Towers

Think paper isn't strong? Think again! In this structural showdown, students become civil engineers, using paper and tape to build the tallest tower strong enough to withstand the forces of nature. As they brainstorm, build and test their creations, students work through the engineering design process — learning that smart shapes, clever folds, and a lot of teamwork can turn simple materials into mighty structures. It’s a high-stakes, high-rise challenge where every inch counts!

• Class set of materials needed: Paper, tape, object weighing about .5lbs such as a box of baking soda or a can of soup (for testing weight-bearing structures).

Catapults- Mechanical Engineering

Step into the shoes of a Mechanical Engineer, and explore how machines transfer energy by making and testing tabletop catapults. Investigate how potential energy, kinetic energy, force, and motion work together to launch a projectile!  Through hands-on experimentation, students adjust variables such as arm length, counterweight mass, and release angle to improve distance and accuracy. The lesson blends history with modern engineering and emphasizes energy transfer, simple machines, and mechanical advantage, while reinforcing the engineering design cycle.

• Class set of materials needed:  (Per student) 6 craft sticks, 1 spoon, 3 rubber bands, foil (for launching), catapult handout (provided in advance).

AI - Computer Science & Engineering (class set of laptops required) 

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly shaping everyday life... but how does AI actually work?  In this lesson, students explore how modern AI systems, specifically Large Language Models (LLMs), use probability, data, and pattern recognition to generate 'answers'. Through a guided activity (class set of Chromebooks required), students will examine how AI makes 'decisions', determine its limitations and accuracy, and discuss why ethical considerations are a critical part of Computer Science & Engineering. Students will look at applications of AI and practice responsible engineering decision-making throughout this hands-on lesson.

• Class set of materials needed: Class set of laptops.  Pre-activity handout and lesson handout provided in advance.

Bridges - Civil/Structural Engineering 

In this hands-on civil and structural engineering lesson, students explore how engineers design bridges to safely support loads while withstanding forces such as tension, compression, and bending. Students begin by examining real-world bridge types and analyzing how forces act on different structures. Working in teams, they then construct model bridges to maximize strength and efficiency. Students test their bridges under increasing loads, collect and analyze data, and iterate on their designs to improve performance. This NGSS-aligned lesson emphasizes problem-solving, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making while giving students an authentic engineering design experience that connects physics concepts to real-world infrastructure.  

• Class set of materials needed: (Per student) 20-30 Popsicle sticks, Adhesive of choice: Hot glue, super glue, or tape. Binder clips, to act as clamps while constructing. Bridges handout (provided before lesson). Weight, around 1lb (for load-bearing testing).