Education Item
Teamwork in Cookie Design Packaging
Youth work in small teams to develop cookie packaging during an engineering activity in an afterschool program. See how the educator supports youth in working together as a team.
Education Item
Using Math in Cookie Package Design
This engineering activity integrates math into a cookie package design challenge. See how you can encourage youth to use their mathematical knowledge to inform their design decisions.
Education Item
Designing Unique Balloon-Powered Vehicles
Engineers think innovatively to envision multiple possible solutions to open-ended problems. Youth apply this practice as they design unique balloon-powered vehicles.
Education Item
Balance Criteria and Constraints that Require Trade-offs
Engineers make trade-offs to balance competing factors as they solve problems. As youth create enrichment toys for zoo animals, they balance the animals’ safety with keeping them engaged.
Education Item
Using Museum Experiences to Inform Marble Ramp Design
Youth explore hands-on museum exhibits to learn about force and motion and then apply their scientific knowledge as they engineer their own marble ramps.
Education Item
Designing Enrichment Toys for Zoo Animals
Engineers design solutions to specific, real-world problems. Sometimes these solutions involve a specific client or need. Here, youth design a toy to engage a particular zoo animal in play.
Education Item
Iteration with Balloon-Powered Vehicle
Engineers test their designs to see how well they work. Then they use their observations and data to test their design, then test it again. The educator in this video explains how to test balloon-powered cars and encourages youth to improve their designs.
Education Item
Engage in Iteration
See how youth test their packaging designs to see if they can protect an egg, and how Denise and Jaimie organize the activity to challenge them to improve designs.
Education Item
Learning To Fail
See how staff help youth learn from their failed attempts to build a grape smasher and help them revise and improve the designs.