The Invent2Make Program resources include project kits that teachers can incorporate into their lesson plans to reinforce STEM learning through hands-on projects.
Kit Overview
The following kits are available for check-out from the Invent2Make Lending Library:
Colors of the Rainbow
Students learn the science of light and colors and how we see colors as the mind interprets them. Using a prism, they explore the colors of the rainbow and the frequencies of light as well as the many legends of how rainbows are created. They also experiment with the basic colors and how the three basic colors combine to make all other colors. Using a spinning top as their palette, they combine colors to create the colors of the rainbow. For their innovation challenge, they design a unique top, learning that tops do not have to be round, but just symmetrical around the center axis.
Rockin’ with Newton’s Cradle
Newton’s Laws of Motion can be easily demonstrated through Newton’s Cradle: force, energy, conservation of momentum, opposing forces, and inertia. Students will assemble a Newton’s Cradle and demonstrate these principles of physics. They subsequently research the many versions of Newton’s Cradle and design and build their unique cradle.
Eureka! I have it
What Archimedes discovered was the theory of buoyancy. Students explore this theory by using water and a calibrated cylinder to determine the weight and volume of different sample materials. Using this data, they determine the sample density and identify the material. They are challenged to determine whether pennies are copper and nickels are nickel. For their innovation challenge, students research more than 160 stories of the great flood that almost destroyed the earth. Then, they design and build a prototype of the vessel that saved humanity and demonstrate its buoyancy.
Blowing in the Wind
Students learn how sailboats can travel into the wind and the similarities between a sail and an airplane wing. They assemble and test a land sailor and then design their unique land sailor and set off on a simulated sailboat race.
Breathe Safely
In this NASA-inspired project students explore the safety considerations and safeguards required to assure astronaut safety in space. Using Tinkercad circuits, students install sensors into an “astronaut helmet” and program an Arduino to detect contamination in the air supply as well as light radiation. They innovate by designing and installing a proximity sensor to detect on-coming space debris while venturing outside the spacecraft.
Let it Glide
The spacecraft Challenger’s return to Earth after space flight was the ultimate glider. Optimizing the glider flight parameters of angle of attack, center of gravity, center of pressure, dihedral angle of the wings, design of the rear stabilizer, and launch velocity, students strive to achieve maximum stable flight from the glider they assembled. Using the data from this experimentation, they choose an airfoil design and design and build replacement wings that will achieve longer flights.
Spacecraft Safety
Landing a space capsule on the surface of the moon was a daunting initial challenge of landing astronauts safely on the surface of the moon and eventually on Mars. In this project, students will complete the design of their team’s space capsule including the goal of landing safely without damage to the contents. Their innovation challenge will be to design an ejection module to be inserted into their space capsule and subsequently landing it safely to earth.
Gaining Traction on Mars
Students explore the history of rovers on the moon and planets. They research the challenges NASA overcame to extend space exploration beyond the immediate area of landing. After assembling their rover, the team experiments by traversing on a simulated Mars surface. A major challenge of the NASA rover program has been the design of the wheels. The team’s challenge will be to assist NASA in the innovative design of wheels, including the gears that drive them, to overcome the obstacles of Mars exploration.
How to Measure the Moon
For this challenge, the students equip their rover with a solar cell and various sensors to measure data on the Moon’s environment. Using block visual coding, they program their Arduino to record this data on an SD card providing a data log of their journey across the simulated Moon surface. For the innovation challenge, they design and add a chemical sensor to their rover to detect carbon and the potential for life on the Moon.
Kits in Development
These kits are under active development.
- Composting – Nature’s Fertilizer
- Scholastic Football Helmet Challenge
- Solar Groovy