Parents & Educators: Activity Guide

Activity Guide

This Activity Guide offers five hands-on challenges that bring engineering to life for kids aged 9 through 12. They offer anyone running afterschool programs, workshops, or events engaging, effective ways to get kids thinking like engineers. The challenges are versatile–they don't require much facilitation, use modest amounts of readily available materials, give kids many ways to succeed, and are manageable with large numbers of kids. Use them for ongoing programs AND events.

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You may download the entire DESIGN SQUAD Activity Guide (3.5M) or in the following sections:

Front and Back Covers

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Activity Guide Introductory Material

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Contents:

  • Introducing the Design Process
  • Talking to Kids about Engineering
  • Fit Design Squad into any Program
  • Web Resources
  • Hosting a Design Squad Event
  • Sources for Material

Content Standards

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The challenges in this guide correspond to the ITEA National Study of Technology Content Standards and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Science and Technology/Engineering Standards.

Challenge 1: Watercraft

Leader Notes - Download PDF (724K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (508K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (736k)
Find out if you can build an unsinkable boat out of straws and plastic wrap.

Challenge 2: Paper Table

Leader Notes - Download PDF (716K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (492K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (720K)
See how strong a table you can build out of paper.

Challenge 3: Zip Line

Leader Notes - Download PDF (692K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (500K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (724K)
Test how quickly you can get a Ping Pong ball to the bottom of a zip line string.

Challenge 4: Paddle Power

Leader Notes - Download PDF (676K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (492K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (724K)
Check out how fast a boat can paddle itself across a container of water.

Challenge 5: Helping Hand

Leader Notes - Download PDF (700K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (500K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (728k)
See how many objects you can grab with a homemade "bionic" arm.