The goal of engineering is to solve practical problems through the development or use of technologies, based on the scientific knowledge gained through investigation. Lessons are structured to have students use their existing knowledge, and research areas where they need more information, to complete design challenges that correspond to the Massachusetts State Learning Standards. Students will most often work in teams, to simulate real life research and development teams.
Technology/Engineering, Grades 3–5
1. Materials and Tools Central Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve problems and invent.
1.1 Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property, e.g., strength, hardness, and flexibility.
1.2 Identify and explain the appropriate materials and tools (e.g., hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, screws, nails, and other mechanical fasteners) to construct a given prototype safely.
1.3 Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines, e.g., hand can opener that includes multiple gears, wheel, wedge, gear, and lever.
2. Engineering Design Central Concept: Engineering design requires creative thinking and strategies to solve practical problems generated by needs and wants.
2.1 Identify a problem that reflects the need for shelter, storage, or convenience.
2.2 Describe different ways in which a problem can be represented, e.g., sketches, diagrams, graphic organizers, and lists.
2.3 Identify relevant design features (e.g., size, shape, weight) for building a prototype of a solution to a given problem.
2.4 Compare natural systems with mechanical systems that are designed to serve similar purposes, e.g., a bird’s wings as compared to an airplane’s wings.
Technology/Engineering, Grades 6–8
1. Materials, Tools, and Machines Central Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines enable us to solve problems, invent, and construct.
1.1 Given a design task, identify appropriate materials (e.g., wood, paper, plastic, aggregates, ceramics, metals, solvents, adhesives) based on specific properties and characteristics (e.g., strength, hardness, and flexibility).
1.2 Identify and explain appropriate measuring tools, hand tools, and power tools used to hold, lift, carry, fasten, and separate, and explain their safe and proper use.
1.3 Identify and explain the safe and proper use of measuring tools, hand tools, and machines (e.g., band saw, drill press, sander, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, screws, nails, and other mechanical fasteners) needed to construct a prototype of an
2. Engineering Design Central Concept: Engineering design is an iterative process that involves modeling and optimizing to develop technological solutions to problems within given constraints.
2.1 Identify and explain the steps of the engineering design process, i.e., identify the need or problem, research the problem, develop possible solutions, select the best possible solution(s), construct a prototype, test and evaluate, communicate the solution(s), and redesign. 2.2 Demonstrate methods of representing solutions to a design problem, e.g., sketches, orthographic projections, multiview drawings.
2.3 Describe and explain the purpose of a given prototype.
2.4 Identify appropriate materials, tools, and machines needed to construct a prototype of a given engineering design.
2.5 Explain how such design features as size, shape, weight, function, and cost limitations would affect the construction of a given prototype.
2.6 Identify the five elements of a universal systems model: goal, inputs, processes, outputs, and feedback.
3. Communication Technologies Central Concept: Ideas can be communicated though engineering drawings, written reports, and pictures.
3.1 Identify and explain the components of a communication system, i.e., source, encoder, transmitter, receiver, decoder, storage, retrieval, and destination.
3.2 Identify and explain the appropriate tools, machines, and electronic devices (e.g., drawing tools, computer aided design, and cameras) used to produce and/or reproduce design solutions (e.g., engineering drawings, prototypes, and reports).
3.3 Identify and compare communication technologies and systems, i.e., audio, visual, printed, and mass communication.
3.4 Identify and explain how symbols and icons (e.g., international symbols and graphics) are used to communicate a message.
4. Manufacturing Technologies Central Concept: Manufacturing is the process of converting raw materials (primary process) into physical goods (secondary process), involving multiple industrial processes (e.g., assembly, multiple stages of production, quality control).
4.1 Describe and explain the manufacturing systems of custom and mass production.
4.2 Explain and give examples of the impacts of interchangeable parts, components of mass-produced products, and the use of automation, e.g., robotics.
4.3 Describe a manufacturing organization, e.g., corporate structure, research and development, production, marketing, quality control, distribution.
4.4 Explain basic processes in manufacturing systems, e.g., cutting, shaping, assembling, joining, finishing, quality control, and safety.
5. Construction Technologies Central Concept: Construction technology involves building structures in order to contain, shelter, manufacture, transport, communicate, and provide recreation.
5.1 Describe and explain parts of a structure, e.g., foundation, flooring, decking, wall, roofing systems.
5.2 Identify and describe three major types of bridges (e.g., arch, beam, and suspension) and their appropriate uses (e.g., site, span, resources, and load).
5.3 Explain how the forces of tension, compression, torsion, bending, and shear affect the performance of bridges.
5.4 Describe and explain the effects of loads and structural shapes on bridges.
6. Transportation Technologies Central Concept: Transportation technologies are systems and devices that move goods and people from one place to another across or through land, air, water, or space.
6.1 Identify and compare examples of transportation systems and devices that operate on or in each of the following: land, air, water, and space.
6.2 Given a transportation problem, explain a possible solution using the universal systems model.
6.3 Identify and describe three subsystems of a transportation vehicle or device, i.e., structural, propulsion, guidance, suspension, control, and support.
6.4 Identify and explain lift, drag, friction, thrust, and gravity in a vehicle or device, e.g., cars, boats, airplanes, rockets.
7. Bio-engineering Technologies Central Concept: Bio-engineering technologies explore the production of mechanical devices, products, biological substances, and organisms to improve health and/or contribute improvements to our daily lives.
7.1 Explain examples of adaptive or assistive devices, e.g., prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, grab bars, hearing aids, lifts, braces. 7.2 Describe and explain adaptive and assistive bio-engineered products, e.g., food, bio-fuels, irradiation, integrated pest management.
Technology/Engineering, Grades 3–5
1. Materials and Tools Central Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve problems and invent.
1.1 Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property, e.g., strength, hardness, and flexibility.
1.2 Identify and explain the appropriate materials and tools (e.g., hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, screws, nails, and other mechanical fasteners) to construct a given prototype safely.
1.3 Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines, e.g., hand can opener that includes multiple gears, wheel, wedge, gear, and lever.
2. Engineering Design Central Concept: Engineering design requires creative thinking and strategies to solve practical problems generated by needs and wants.
2.1 Identify a problem that reflects the need for shelter, storage, or convenience.
2.2 Describe different ways in which a problem can be represented, e.g., sketches, diagrams, graphic organizers, and lists.
2.3 Identify relevant design features (e.g., size, shape, weight) for building a prototype of a solution to a given problem.
2.4 Compare natural systems with mechanical systems that are designed to serve similar purposes, e.g., a bird’s wings as compared to an airplane’s wings.
Technology/Engineering, Grades 6–8
1. Materials, Tools, and Machines Central Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines enable us to solve problems, invent, and construct.
1.1 Given a design task, identify appropriate materials (e.g., wood, paper, plastic, aggregates, ceramics, metals, solvents, adhesives) based on specific properties and characteristics (e.g., strength, hardness, and flexibility).
1.2 Identify and explain appropriate measuring tools, hand tools, and power tools used to hold, lift, carry, fasten, and separate, and explain their safe and proper use.
1.3 Identify and explain the safe and proper use of measuring tools, hand tools, and machines (e.g., band saw, drill press, sander, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, screws, nails, and other mechanical fasteners) needed to construct a prototype of an
2. Engineering Design Central Concept: Engineering design is an iterative process that involves modeling and optimizing to develop technological solutions to problems within given constraints.
2.1 Identify and explain the steps of the engineering design process, i.e., identify the need or problem, research the problem, develop possible solutions, select the best possible solution(s), construct a prototype, test and evaluate, communicate the solution(s), and redesign. 2.2 Demonstrate methods of representing solutions to a design problem, e.g., sketches, orthographic projections, multiview drawings.
2.3 Describe and explain the purpose of a given prototype.
2.4 Identify appropriate materials, tools, and machines needed to construct a prototype of a given engineering design.
2.5 Explain how such design features as size, shape, weight, function, and cost limitations would affect the construction of a given prototype.
2.6 Identify the five elements of a universal systems model: goal, inputs, processes, outputs, and feedback.
3. Communication Technologies Central Concept: Ideas can be communicated though engineering drawings, written reports, and pictures.
3.1 Identify and explain the components of a communication system, i.e., source, encoder, transmitter, receiver, decoder, storage, retrieval, and destination.
3.2 Identify and explain the appropriate tools, machines, and electronic devices (e.g., drawing tools, computer aided design, and cameras) used to produce and/or reproduce design solutions (e.g., engineering drawings, prototypes, and reports).
3.3 Identify and compare communication technologies and systems, i.e., audio, visual, printed, and mass communication.
3.4 Identify and explain how symbols and icons (e.g., international symbols and graphics) are used to communicate a message.
4. Manufacturing Technologies Central Concept: Manufacturing is the process of converting raw materials (primary process) into physical goods (secondary process), involving multiple industrial processes (e.g., assembly, multiple stages of production, quality control).
4.1 Describe and explain the manufacturing systems of custom and mass production.
4.2 Explain and give examples of the impacts of interchangeable parts, components of mass-produced products, and the use of automation, e.g., robotics.
4.3 Describe a manufacturing organization, e.g., corporate structure, research and development, production, marketing, quality control, distribution.
4.4 Explain basic processes in manufacturing systems, e.g., cutting, shaping, assembling, joining, finishing, quality control, and safety.
5. Construction Technologies Central Concept: Construction technology involves building structures in order to contain, shelter, manufacture, transport, communicate, and provide recreation.
5.1 Describe and explain parts of a structure, e.g., foundation, flooring, decking, wall, roofing systems.
5.2 Identify and describe three major types of bridges (e.g., arch, beam, and suspension) and their appropriate uses (e.g., site, span, resources, and load).
5.3 Explain how the forces of tension, compression, torsion, bending, and shear affect the performance of bridges.
5.4 Describe and explain the effects of loads and structural shapes on bridges.
6. Transportation Technologies Central Concept: Transportation technologies are systems and devices that move goods and people from one place to another across or through land, air, water, or space.
6.1 Identify and compare examples of transportation systems and devices that operate on or in each of the following: land, air, water, and space.
6.2 Given a transportation problem, explain a possible solution using the universal systems model.
6.3 Identify and describe three subsystems of a transportation vehicle or device, i.e., structural, propulsion, guidance, suspension, control, and support.
6.4 Identify and explain lift, drag, friction, thrust, and gravity in a vehicle or device, e.g., cars, boats, airplanes, rockets.
7. Bio-engineering Technologies Central Concept: Bio-engineering technologies explore the production of mechanical devices, products, biological substances, and organisms to improve health and/or contribute improvements to our daily lives.
7.1 Explain examples of adaptive or assistive devices, e.g., prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, grab bars, hearing aids, lifts, braces. 7.2 Describe and explain adaptive and assistive bio-engineered products, e.g., food, bio-fuels, irradiation, integrated pest management.