Tetrahedron Forcebuster

Tetrahedron Forcebuster

Civil engineers rely on triangles for many constructions. it is the strongest shape. The tetrahedron is a shape with four triangular faces (think of the pyramids of egypt). Test how well triangle power can resist pushing and pulling forces. Ask an adult to help you thread the sewing needle and supervise as you use it. Connect the straws tightly. They should be rigid, not loose. it is helpful if all straws meeting at one vertex have a different color. That's...
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Build a Shaduf

Build a Shaduf

From Engineering

Ancient farmers used a long wooden lever called a shaduf to lift water from rivers to irrigate crops and for other uses. This simple tool was incredibly effective at making it easier to move water. In this activity, you'll harness the power of a lever as you design and build a working model of a simple shaduf.

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Wind Can Do Work

Wind Can Do Work

From Renewable Energy

Use your engineering skills to design a windmill, then test how powerful the wind can be!

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Waterwheel

Waterwheel

From Wheels Make the World Go Round

Try this hands-on activity to learn more about wheels!

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Lift It!

Lift It!

From Levers Lessen the Load

Learn more about levers with this hands-on activity!

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Reviews

Leslie Brunell, PhD, PE, Associate Teaching Professor, Stevens Institute of Technology
"Canals and Dams introduces the young reader to engineering in a unique, creative and thorough manner. This book describes the origins of water supply systems, the evolution of canals, and the complexity associated with dams in a way that can be easily understood, introducing fundamental concepts such as gravity, forces, and the flow of water. Engineering is all about innovation and creativity. Supplementing a STEM classroom with this text will certainly encourage children to further explore engineering."

Marla Conn, Educational Consultant
"This title is wonderful! Canals and Dams supports all of the Reading Informational Text ELA Common Core State Standards. The content is well organized and interesting. The illustrations are age appropriate, engaging, and support the text. The activities are fun, thought provoking, and reinforce the ideas and concepts taught. Right on!"

Detailed Book Description

Canals and Dams: Investigate Feats of Engineering invites children ages 9 and up to explore the innovation and physical science behind the amazing waterways and barriers our world depends on. Trivia and fun facts illustrate engineering ingenuity and achievements from ancient aqueducts to the Suez Canal and the Hoover Dam. Readers will discover that engineers and builders alike put their lives on the line to advance civilization, experiencing triumphs and tragedies in building big. Through dazzling success and heartbreaking failure, they developed increasingly sophisticated tools and building methods.

Activities and projects encourage children to explore the engineering process and to try, try again through trial and error. They'll engage in hands-on explorations of buoyancy, Newton's third law of motion, and forces that push and pull structures. They'll create a paper-cup zip line, build an arch, and simulate a tsunami, while experimenting with gravity, hydroponics, and velocity. In Canals and Dams: Investigate Feats of Engineering, children will gain an appreciation for the important field of engineering as they develop their own building skills.

Available In:
Hardcover, $21.95
9781619301696
Paperback, $16.95
9781619301658
Includes: Table of Contents | Timeline | Charts | Glossary | Resources | Index
Specs: 8 x 10 size | black and white interior | 128 pages
Subject: Science
Content Focus: Engineering & Technology

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Timeline

Introduction
Water Tamers

Chapter 1
Engineering and Thinking Big

Chapter 2
Building Big: The Physics of Canals

Chapter 3
Amazing Canals

Chapter 4
Canal Catastrophes

Chapter 5
Building Big: The Physics of Dams

Chapter 6
Amazing Dams

Chapter 7
Dam Disasters

Glossary
Resources
Index