| Science/ Engineering Concept |
Definition |
Projects or activities that displayed concept |
Massachusetts curriculum frameworks application: Science and Technology/ Engineering |
| Inclined Plane* |
A flat surface that is at an angle so one end is higher than the other. Less force and energy are needed to move things up or down at an angle than straight up or down. |
~Three ramps activity
~Treasure Hunt Island |
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| Motion of Objects section of Physical Sciences, Grades 6-8. |
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| Lever* |
| A straight platform resting on a fixed point, the fulcrum, so when one end of the platform moves, the opposite end moves an object more easily. |
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| Lifting of weights using levers |
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| Simple Machines Technology/Engineering section, Grades 3-5 |
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| Gear |
| A circle with teeth around the edges that rotates. When combined with other gears, it can change motion by increasing or decreasing speed, torque and force or changing direction. |
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| ~Inclined ramps activity ~Map Driving activity ~Treasure Hunt Island |
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| Technology/Engineering section, Grades 3-5 |
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| Energy Transformation |
| When one form of energy transforms into a different form, creating motion or change. |
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| All activities and projects using motors to transform electrical energy into mechanical energy |
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| Forms of Energy section of Physical Sciences, Grades 3-5. |
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| Friction* |
| The force that creates resistance when two surfaces in contact move relative to one another. |
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| All activities involving movement on a surface |
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| ~Motion of Objects section of Physical Science, Grades 6-8 ~Identify and explain friction in Technology/Engineering section, Grades 6-8 |
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| Programming |
| A way of using code to give instructions to a system so that it carries out operations in the manner and order in which you tell it. |
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| All activities that have been programmed |
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| Using symbols to communicate a message in Technology/ Engineering section, Grades 6-8 |
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| Robotic Autonomy vs. Remote Control |
| The difference between an object's operating itself by either reading programmed instructions or by organizing input that it collects and an object's requiring ongoing instructions from a source other than itself in order to operate. |
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| All activities that have been programmed |
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| Using symbols to communicate a message in Technology/Engineering section, Grades 6-8 |
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| Analysis of Structure
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| The process of assessing the structure of an object and developing structural changes that would make the object more efficient or effective. |
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| All activities involving building |
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| Engineering Design Process of Technology/ Engineering section, Grades PreK-10 |
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| Power vs. Speed |
| Power and speed levels change through alteration of gear ratios. |
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| ~Three ramps activity ~Treasure Hunt Island |
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| Technology/Engineering section, Grades 3-5 |
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| Sensors |
| Equipment that registers an input from the environment and transmits a signal to a central processor. |
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~Light that turns on in tunnel
~Car reversing direction when it hits wall |
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| Accuracy of Movement
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| Ability to create and manipulate a robot that moves as you intend it to. |
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~Map driving
~Obstacle course |
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| Manipulating Hypotheses and Solutions |
| Ability to generate, test, and revise predictions and proposed solutions. |
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| Steps of the engineering design method Technology/Engineering section, Grades 6-8 |
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| Present Data Graphically |
| Use of graphs, sketches, diagrams, graphic organizers, etc. to show someone your ideas or results. |
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| Journals kept every session |
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| Graphic representation of a problem. Technology/Engineering section, Grades 3-5, 6-8 |
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| Communicate Process and Results Verbally |
| Ability to explain to someone else your design process. |
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| Student to student and student to teacher dialogue about their processes |
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| Steps of the engineering design method Technology/Engineering section, Grades 6-8 |
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| Material Properties |
| Qualities of a material, e.g. smoothness, density, weight, strength, or flexibility, that affect why and when you would use it. |
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| ~Stationary robot design ~Island design |
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| Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property Technology/Engineering design method Grades 3-5, 6-8 |
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| Design Features |
Characteristics of a finished product, e.g. size, weight, shape, etc., that affect the ease and effectiveness of its use. |
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| Identify relevant design features Technology/Engineering section Grades 3-5, 6-8 Identify properties of a material vs. those of an object Technology/Engineering section Grades 3-5 |
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*These topics were also addressed in last year's after-school class. Some activities are drawn from previous curriculum.