Project Based Learning

Project-Based learning allows students to become invested in their own learning. Research shows that students have different learning styles and that those who are engaged and provided a varied approach to their learning, aside from just using textbooks, are often eager and ready to learn more, ask important questions, and develop some critical thinking skills! If educators are able to provide a learning environment where students can more actively participate in their own interests and learning in an engaging, challenging and stimulating manner, we can see some exciting results!

Over the years many different terms have been used to explain this active and creative learning style - Experiential  Learning, Hands-on Learning, Problem-Based Learning, or Inquiry Learning. This video shares with you some examples of students and teachers involved in active project based learning activities.

Think about one lesson that you do with your students and think of how you could open it up to a more project-based learning activity! More tangible, hands-on LEARNING and more FUN for everyone!!

PTC-ProDesktop CAD Program

PTC ProDesktop is an introductory CAD program. CAD stand for Computer Aided Design.

All types of engineers, designers and architects use CAD programs to help them with their design work these days. You don't need to be a great artist any more to work in these fields, although it is helpful if you can "think visually" - or, picture your ideas in 3-D.
Even jewelry and cake designers use CAD programs for their work...have you ever seen that TV show - "Ace of Cakes?" They definitely use a CAD program for all of those fancy designs that they create!
Spend some time with this program and learn some of the basic tools of how it works.

Design Squad - Collective Collaboration

In this episode of Design Squad the teams are presented with a challenge to create a better peanut butter making machine for a community in the poverty stricken country of Haiti. When they first learn about the challenge the teams are shown a short video of how peanut butter is made in Haiti. You will see that these Haitians live in very primitive and limited conditions. The teams are then given certain criteria that they must understand for creating their final project - their device must use only manual power - no electricity, and be made with parts that can easily be replaced and repaired in Haiti.

As you watch the video you'll see the challenges and difficulties that each team has in their process. You should start to recognize the steps of the Engineering Design Process as you follow along. Keep that in mind because after watching this video you will being completing a short project using the video and the Engineering Design Process!

Design Squad Engineer

The field of engineering can be many things.
Designing new products, coming up with new materials for these products, and testing things out....to name just one aspect in the many fields of engineering.

This video shows us the work of a design engineer, Connie Yang, an MIT graduate who loves being outdoors and doing different outdoor sports. Connie is currently working on designing new style tents for the NEMO Company.

I'm sure her work is quite difficult, but it actually looks kind of fun in this video. Makes you think that being an engineer could be quite stimulating, creative, challenging and fun!!

Check it out!

Kite Power?!

Saul Griffith unveils the invention his new company Makani Power has been working on: giant kite turbines that create surprising amounts of clean, renewable energy.
A TED video

Honda Cog Commerical

Stop Motion Animations