Engineering
"The scientist seeks to understand what is; the engineer seeks to create what never was."
-Theodore Von Karman

Assembly Description

Join the Pacific Science Center crew as they build inventions! Through demonstrations and audience participation, students learn the steps engineers follow to design bridges, rockets and more!

Exhibit Description

  • Delve into the properties of physics as you construct an arch bridge and knock it down!
  • Design your own cars and bridges out of K'Nex.
  • Make lights glow and fans spin as you wire up an electrical circuit.
Engineering Lesson Choices

In each lesson, students will be asked to work in a cooperative group, with one or more other students.

Grades K-2

Machine Makeover
Become hands-on inventors, creating a Lego Duplo Toolo® machine to help solve everyday problems. As mechanical engineers, you design a machine that will lift beams or scoop rocks!

Super Structures
Build structures that will stand tall! Perform tests to discover what makes a strong and stable building using foam blocks, wooden dowels, and mini foundations.

Radical Robots
How can robots help us solve problems? Explore the world of robotics while becoming real robot programmers. Compurobots® will temporarily take over your classroom! Please move desks and chairs to the edges of the room prior to this lesson.

Grades 3-5

Material World
Receive a mystery substance that you can bounce, twist and stretch to the limit! Brainstorm creative ways people might use it. You will enjoy handling the mystery substance which is a non-Newtonian fluid that both flows and breaks. Overhead projector or document camera required.

Bridge the Gap
Will your bridge survive? Test the limits of a K'NEX® bridge and discover what makes it stronger.

Get In Gear
How does a mechanical engineer design an amusement park ride so that it spins the fastest? Explore the spinning, whirling world of gears. Overhead projector or document camera required.

Grades 5-8

Bridge the Gap
Reinforce your skills in building and analyzing structures. Test the limits of a K'NEX® bridge and discover what makes it stronger. Overhead projector or document camera required.

Enviro-Sleuths
Where should the town build the new mall? As environmental engineers, students determine water quality by testing pH and analyzing the presence of bioindicators. Student data is used to predict environmental impact on Yourtown, USA. Overhead projector or document camera required.

Wired Up
What is the best pathway for electricity? With the right connections, you can make bulbs light and motors run. Overhead projector or document camera required.

Web Links (These links will take you to activities outside Pacific Science Center's site)

For students and teachers:
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Call (206)443-2925 for registration and other information.
TDD: (206)443-2887