Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
Introduction to Engineering: 1.A.VI
Mechanical Engineering
Grade Level
1
Sessions
Session I: What do mechanical engineers do? – 20 minutes
Session II: Making an engine – 40 minutes
Session III: Testing the engine – 30 minutes
N/A
Whole class
N/A
Skills of Inquiry
1. Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
2. Tell about why and what would happen if?
6. Discuss observations with others.
Technology/Engineering
1. Materials and Tools
1.3 Identify and describe the safe and proper use of tools and materials to
construct simple structures
01.SC.IS.01
01.SC.IS.02
01.SC.IS.06
01.SC.TE.03
Engine, mechanical engineer
Seasonality
Instructional Mode(s)
Team Size
MA Frameworks
WPS Benchmarks
Key Words
Summary
This lesson will teach students about mechanical engineering. Each student will
get to make their own engine (using a rubber band) and then test it out using a
car body made out of cardboard.
Learning Objectives
Massachusetts Frameworks for Grades Pre K-2
Skills of Inquiry
1. Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
2. Tell about why and what would happen if?
6. Discuss observations with others.
Technology/Engineering
1. Materials and Tools
1.3 Identify and describe the safe and proper use of tools and materials to
construct simple structures.
2002 Worcester Public Schools (WPS) Benchmarks for Grade 1
-1-
Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
01.SC.IS.01 Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in the
environment.
01.SC.IS.02 Tell about why and what would happen if?
01.SC.IS.06 Discuss observations with others.
01.SC.TE.03 Identify and describe the safe and proper use of tools and materials
(e.g., glue, scissors, tape, ruler, paper, toothpicks, straws, spools) to construct
simple structure.
Additional Learning Objectives
1. Know what mechanical engineers make/ what their job entails.
2. Know what an engine is.
Required Background Knowledge
1. Introduction to engineering – Sparky’s Engineer 1.A.I
Essential Questions
1. What is a mechanical engineer?
2. What do mechanical engineers do/make?
3. What is an engine?
Introduction / Motivation
Ask students if they can remember what a mechanical engineer is. See if any of
the students can give examples of what mechanical engineers do.
Procedure
Session I: What do mechanical engineers do? – 20 minutes
Instructor preparation:
1. Print out the pictures of the car, train, and motorcycle found in the
attachment section.
2. Print out one “What is a Mechanical Engineer?” handout for each student.
The instructor will:
1. Show the attached pictures of a car, a train, and a motorcycle. For each
picture have the students identify what the object is and what it is used for.
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Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
Explain that a mechanical engineer designed all of these objects.
Mechanical engineers also help design boats, and robots.
2. Distribute the “What is a Mechanical Engineer?” handout to the students
and instruct them to complete it.
3. Review the worksheet with the students.
Session II: Making an engine – 25 minutes
Instructor preparation:
1. Photocopy attached take home letter for parents along with the “Wheels”
and “Template B: Chassis” templates following the letter. Send home in
advance so that students can collect materials.
2. Photocopy Template “A” onto printer paper for each student.
3. Ensure that all students have 4 cutout wheels, 2 unsharpened pencils, a
rubber band, a 5”x7” piece of thin cardboard, and corrugated cardboard
cut out as shown in Template B.
The instructor will:
1. Distribute the pencils, rubber band, cardboard wheels, thin cardboard,
Template “A” photocopy, and precut corrugated cardboard.
2. Have students cut around the large dotted black line of Template “A.” This
will help make it easier to glue onto the thinner cardboard.
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Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
3. Have the students glue Template “A” to the thinner cardboard using a
minimal amount of glue. The students can choose to have the template
on the top or bottom, depending on if they want the box to show.
4. Instruct the students to cut out the shape of the car once the glue is dry
along the solid line.
5. Use a hole punch to punch out the 4 rectangles on the sides of the car.
This is where the pencils will be held. It is important that when the pencils
are inserted through these holes the pencils are lose and can rotate freely.
If not, the car will not move when put together.
Pencils go
through these
holes to act as
axels for the car
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Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
6. Punch holes in the center of the wheels. A sharpened pencil can be used
to make the hole as well.
7. Bend the 4 sides of the car on the dashed lines. Staple the corrugated
cardboard on top of the thinner cardboard. This is done to make the car
sturdier and not bend.
.
8. Insert the pencils through the holes and attach the wheels to the
ends of the pencils. Use tape to hold the wheels upright and in
place if necessary.
-5-
Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
9. Cut the rubber band in half and staple it to the front of the car. Use
tape to secure the rubber band to the rear pencil. Wind the pencil
up, put the car on the floor and let it go! This works better on the
carpet instead of hard floors or desks due to friction.
Session III: Testing the engine – 30 minutes
The instructor will:
1. Let the students have a contest to see whose car will go the farthest.
-6-
Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
Materials List
Materials per class
Pictures of car, train, and
motorcycle
Tape (scotch or masking)
Stapler
Amount
One
Office supply store
Office supply store
Materials per student
“What is a Mechanical
Engineer” worksheet
Template “A”
Thin cardboard for
Template “A”
Corrugated cardboard for
Template “B”
Rubber band (the longer
and more pliable the better)
Unsharpened pencil
Location
Attachment section
Amount
Location
1 per student
Attachment section
1 per student
1 per student
Attachment section
Around the house (cereal box)
1 per student
Around the house (corrugated cardboard box)
1 per student
Office supply store
2 per student
Office supply store
Vocabulary with Definitions
1. Engine – a machine that makes objects move.
2. Mechanical Engineer – a person who helps design cars, engines in trains,
cars, boats, and airplanes. They also design things like toys, machine
parts, and appliances.
Assessment / Evaluation of Students
The instructor may assess the students in any/all of the following manners:
1. Check to see if the students have followed directions and assembled their
engines properly.
2. Ask the students what mechanical engineers do.
Lesson Extensions
None
Attachments
1. Car picture
2. Train picture
3. Motorcycle picture
4. “What is a Mechanical Engineer?” handout
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Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
5. Wheel template
6. Template “A”
7. Template “B”
8. Take home slip to gather materials
Troubleshooting Tips
None
Safety Issues
Children must be supervised
Additional Resources
None
References for Images Used
Car
http://www.wallpaper.net.au/wallpaper/automotive/Bugatti%20Veyron%202%20%20800x600.jpg
Train
http://www.bransonreynolds.com/uploads/Train-D-S-N-G-M-1-a-178.jpg
Motorcycle
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Victory-Hammer.jpg
Road, Robot, Boat, CD’s, Couch, Train, Car, and House
Microsoft Word – Clip Art
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What Is a Mechanical Engineer?
Name: __________________________________
Directions: Below are 8 objects. Circle the ones that
mechanical engineers help make.
Road
Robot
Boat
CD’s
Couch
Train
Car
House
1 ½”
Template “A”
1 ½”
1 ½”
4 ½”
4”
2”
½”
1”
½”
1 ½”
1 ½”
Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
Date__________________________________
Dear Parents,
As part of our Technology/Engineering curriculum, students are learning about
mechanical engineers. Students will be using the engineering design process to design,
construct, and test a model car.
We ask that you please have your child bring in 2 unsharpened pencils, a rubber band,
and a 5”x7” rectangle from a cereal box or similar cardboard box. We also ask that you
use the 2 attached templates to cut out cardboard pieces for your child to make their car.
Please cut out 4 wheels and the shape provided in the template using corrugated (thicker)
cardboard. If you could help your child gather these materials and then have your child
bring them to school on ____________________________________it would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Attachments:
1) Wheels
2) Chassis
Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
Wheels
2”
2”
2”
2”
Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation
Template “B”
Chassis
1 ½”
6”
1 ½”
1 ½”
4 ½”
4”
6”