Resources

The following websites provide additional information about the science and engineering concepts explored in the program boxes. If you are looking to expand your knowledge, many of the sites offer activities to extend and further explore the concepts introduced in the program boxes. 

Power It Up

An introduction to circuits, this site provides information and visual aids of working and parallel circuits:

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter04.html

Another helpful tool, this site discusses circuit diagrams as well as series and parallel circuits:

http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/text/kids/Problem_Board/problems/electricity/circuits2.html

Design Time

An introduction to the engineering design process, this site helps define each step and facilitate critical thinking in design challenges:

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/plantgrowth/reference/Eng_Design_5-12.html

The major steps of the engineering design process and the purpose of prototypes are discussed here:

http://www.teachengineering.org/design_proc.php

Make It Green

This site is a great resource that defines a “green” product and the certification programs related to green building:

http://www.globalgreen.org/greenurbanism/whatmakesgreen/

Walk through the basic steps of green building material and product selection:

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/greenbuilding/materials/

The EPA site is a great resource to understand green building, water efficiency, clean energy, and other choices that can lessen our impact on the Earth:

http://www.epa.gov/gateway/learn/greenliving.html

ThrillBuilders

This site introduces physics concepts (force and distance) and touches on most of the simple machines discussed in the leader's guide:

http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season7/simplemachines/facts.cfm

Engineers to the Rescue

Check out PBS's NOVA website for online stability simulations of bridges:

www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/

Make your own topographic map using clay, floss, rulers, toothpicks, pencils, and paper:

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/topomap-clay/en/

See how rubber band cars influence the design of potential hybrid vehicles:

www.hybridcars.com/types-systems/wind-hybrids-lessons-toy-cars-25372.html