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Engineering for Kids - DIY for Kids
Engineering for Kids
Do-it-Yourself Projects, Hands-on Electricity, Physics, Architecture, and Technology
Beyond the obvious math and science learning, engineering brings an understanding of how the world works - how buildings stand up, how machines move, and how people make and use technology. Through hands-on projects, kids gain the confidence and know-how to tackle all kinds of "do-it-yourself" tasks.
Kids start developing their engineering skills the first time they stack two blocks. Young children love to develop their design skills with building toys, or even by taping recycled containers together. By age 9 or 10, most kids can handle more complicated and skilled engineering - simple wiring, carpentry, and sculpture.
It doesn't take much money to provide kids with everything they need: scrap lumber salvaged from a lumber yard, an inexpensive hammer and some nails add up to hours of engineering fun for just a few dollars.
Here are links for learning engineering techniques big and small.
Engineering for Kids Articles on BigLearning.org
Book: Amazing DaVinci Inventions
Toys to Make: Whirligigs and Tops
Book Review: A Kids' Guide to Building Forts
Book Review: Constructions for Children
Toy Review: Ultimate Rocket Kit
More Engineering for Kids Resources
Concepts
Concepts
These pages will help kids learn about science and engineering concepts:
Building Big (engineering skyscrapers, tunnels, bridges, etc.): (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/index.html)
How Stuff Works site: (http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/) (Note: Some content on this site may not be OK for kids - for example, how weapons work.)
Franklin Institute's guide to engineering simple machines: (http://www.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/spotlight3.html)
Projects
These pages have project ideas and instructions.
Zoom Science Projects (Engineering Category: http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/
Future Scientists and Engineers of America: http://www.fsea.org/
Hey Kids! (simple projects): http://www.new-sng.com/experiments.cfm
Design Challenges from the Tech Museum: http://www.thetech.org/learning/challenge/design/
Toys kids can build: http://www.build-it-yourself.com.
Article on how to have a "Take-it-Apart" party: http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr342.shtml.
On-line Simulations
Roller Coaster: http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/
Sodaplay (design and race online machines): http://sodaplay.com/
Tips and Techniques
Model bridge design tips: http://abcdpittsburgh.org/kids/kids.htm.
Glue types and when to use each type: http://members.rogers.com/andrews7624/GG/glues.html.
Balsa wood: http://www.zimsweb.com/balsa.
Woodworking, tools, metalwork: http://mysite.freeserve.com/designandtech/searchtesistant.html
Woodworking tips: http://www.woodzone.com/tips.htm
Recognizing electrical components: http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/handouts/elcomponents.html
Styrofoam craft techniques: http://www.dow.com/craft/about/tips.htm
Animated knot-tying: http://www.mistral.co.uk/42brghtn/knots/42ktmenu.html