Engineering Resources – Need Suggestions to

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  • July 1, 2015 at 12:38 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    DS11 has expressed an interest in engineering recently, specifically bridge building.  He isn’t interested in robotics (Lego robotics) or the computer engineering (we don’t do games like mine craft, etc.). He doesn’t mind using the computer if it’s to design something physical  does that make sense?

    I’m looking for resources – books, apps, online courses, toys, etc. to make a part of his plan for the coming year.  All ideas welcome! We have an app for computer and iPad called Simple Physics which he likes. We have some K’nex toys. I need more ideas!!

    July 1, 2015 at 1:18 pm
    RobinP
    Participant

    John, my mechanical engineering son, will be home for a few days today or tomorrow, Christie. I’ll ask him when he gets home.

    July 1, 2015 at 1:33 pm
    Tristan
    Participant

    The book that comes to mind is Bridges: Amazing Structures to Design, Build, & Test (From Kaleidoscope Books)

    I know there is a Knex Intro to Structures set for Bridges as well.

    July 1, 2015 at 4:24 pm
    Karen Smith
    Moderator

    David Macaulay’s book Building Big might be a possibility. It covers bridges, dams, tunnels, domes, and skyscrapers. There are videos produced by PBS that go with the book, too. We found them at the library.

    July 1, 2015 at 4:48 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    Thank you! I’ll look for the resources mentioned and await John’s suggestions, Robin.

    July 1, 2015 at 6:58 pm
    Katrina in AK
    Participant

    I second both Tristan and Karen’s suggestions.  The Building Big videos/DVDs from PBS are great. (Check the library.)  I used to teach a huge bridge building unit in my teacher life. We used the book that Tristan suggested and built all the bridges in the K’Nex kit she mentioned.

    Something else we did, which might be fun, was design, build and test toothpick bridges. The kids had a budget (I think $1,000,000) for everything, and they had to write checks at the “store” to buy supplies (toothpicks, string, glue, design paper), get permits, etc.  I did it with 4th graders, and they rose to the challenge of working within a budget and keeping an accurate check ledger.

    July 2, 2015 at 4:07 am
    albanyaloe
    Participant

    Hello Missceegee. Just a suggestion… has your son been introduced to Google Sketch Up.  I think he may love it.  It is a free software program. Lots of design potential.  Good for 3D construction.   There are also support videos on You Tube about it, just preview, You tube can be a bit dodge.

    There is another one called Powder (I think that’s what you call the latter one, I’ll check when my son is home next week and post again)

    HTH Lindy

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