Presentations

Questions to be answered:

• How do we get a rocket to lift off, ascend, and orbit earth?
• What physics are involved in rocket motion?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn about what it takes to get a rocket through three main stages: lift off, ascent, and orbit.  The principles of Newton’s second law, acceleration and air resistance will be discussed.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of getting to orbit, students will have to find the best recipe to get their alka seltzer rockets to a specified height.  This activity involves mixing water and alka seltzer, access to floor space, and loud popping noises.  It can also be done effectively at STEM fairs and tabling events with adequate floor space.

Questions to be answered:

• What are the different types of bridges?
• How do engineers use forces to design safe structures?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn about different types of bridges and how engineers ensure that they are structurally safe.  The presentation will discuss load distribution with free body diagrams, trusses, and design considerations.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of structures, students will design their own bridges to withstand specific design criteria and hold the most weight.  This activity requires table space and can be done effectively at science fairs and tabling events.

Questions to be answered:

• How do we keep people safe on roller coasters while maintaining the fun?
• What forces are at work in roller coasters?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn about how roller coasters are designed with ultimate fun and safety in mind.  This presentation discusses forces such as normal force, gravity, and centripetal force, and the engineering design process.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of roller coaster safety, students will design their own roller coaster within design criteria.  This presentation requires some open space for the construction of the coasters.

Questions to be answered:

• How are forest fires different from regular fires?
• How do engineers combat forest fires through the design of flame resistance materials and water dispersal vehicles?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn about the ways engineers fight fires.  This discusses direct and indirect methods of attack, thermal conductivity, and flame retardant materials.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of thermal conductivity, students will have to protect a piece of chocolate from a simulated fire.  They will construct a barrier out of a mix of insulation and conductive materials for this task. 

Questions to be answered:

• What challenges arise in the movement of materials to natural disaster sites?
• How do engineers respond to these disasters?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn how engineers can respond to natural disasters to help support the people impacted.  This discusses necessary supplies, navigating difficult environments and transportation methods.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of thermal conductivity, students will have to protect a piece of chocolate from a simulated fire.  They will construct a barrier out of a mix of insulation and conductive materials for this task. 

Questions to be answered:

• What is industrial engineering?
• How do we optimize systems through engineering controls?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn about how industrial engineers optimize systems and improve efficiency.  This will all be demonstrated through the example of hospital management to ensure patient care and employee shifts.  Throughout the example, the students will receive different scenarios for work systems and discuss the benefits and pitfalls of each to determine the best system at which the hospital can run.  A virtual option for this presentation is available.

Questions to be answered:

• How do atoms interact with radiation?
• How do we design safe reactors for high energy production?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn about how nuclear reactors produce energy to power our lives.  This will discuss a detailed breakdown of atoms, nuclear fusion and fission, radiation, and energy production.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of energy production, students will construct their own nuclear reactors out of soda and various types of candy to demonstrate the structure of a reactor.

Questions to be answered:

• What physics are involved when something is in free fall?
• How do engineers design parachutes to counteract the effects of gravity?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn how to safely land people on the ground through the physics of parachutes.  This will discuss Newton’s laws, drag force, air resistance, and the history of parachutes.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of parachute technology, students will have to build their own parachute to safely land a person on the ground from various heights. This activity will require some floor space for testing of the parachutes.

Questions to be answered:

• What makes water unsafe to drink?
• How do engineers treat dirty water to remove dirt and pathogens from water before it is distributed to the public?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn about how even clear looking water can be unsafe to drink.  This will discuss  water treatment methods through coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, membranes, and disinfection.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of water treatment, the students will make their own gravity filters with sand, pebbles, coffee filters and more.  They will then test the clarity of the water with a turbidity test to measure their success.  This activity requires access to water and electrical outlets.

Questions to be answered:

• How can wind be used to generate energy?
• What can engineers do to make wind turbines more efficient?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn how wind is harnessed to produce energy to power our lives.  They will discuss power production, efficiency, blade design and environmental advantages.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of wind energy, the students will construct their own wind turbines to try to produce the most energy from an artificial wind source.  This activity requires some classroom space and electrical outlets.

Questions to be answered:

• How can chromatography be used to analyze trace evidence?
• How are engineers involved in analyzing fingerprints?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn about how engineers help solve crimes through chromatography and fingerprint analysis.  They will discuss solubility, electrical charge and pattern identification.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of engineering in forensics, students will do their own chromatography and fingerprint tests to determine who stole the tuba from the band room.  This presentation requires access to water and students observing their own fingerprints.

Questions to be answered:

• How do we keep people safe on roller coasters while maintaining the fun?
• What forces are at work in roller coasters?

Presentation Description:

In this presentation, students will learn about how roller coasters are designed with ultimate fun and safety in mind.  This presentation discusses forces such as normal force, gravity, and centripetal force, and the engineering design process.

Hands-On Activity Description:

Following the discussion of roller coaster safety, students will design their own roller coaster within design criteria.  This presentation requires some open space for the construction of the coasters.