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Aerodynamics: Flight - “Aerodynamics: From Paper Airplanes to 747’s”
- Alex Toy, ‘04
ASTRONOMY
- Benjamin Feigenberg, '06
Composite
Materials - Dan Beswick, '06. Kyle Eudailey ’06, Team
Environment-“Water Treatment” – Elaine Kim, ‘06
Freezing Point Depression - Rachel Puda, ‘05
Game Theory - Rachel Puda, ‘05
Physics of 3D - Parallax, Projections and Perception – Laura
Ellis ’07 & Maribeth Rubin ‘07
Roller Coaster - “Engineering Excitement: The Science Behind Roller Coasters”
- Adam Cickay, ’04 and Nicholas Mitchell, ’04 Team
Ski
Jump Physics – Jorge Viamontes, Physics Graduate Student
2002-2003 Optics and the Mind Ever wondered if your pet saw color the same way you
did? In this module we start by looking at light as part of the visible
spectrum. Motivated by the "color" white, we investigate color addition
and subtraction, and the anatomy of the eye. Finally we look at
engineering applications of human perception such as color printing and
color TV. Tons of demonstrations (3 overhead projectors needed). Geometric Optics (10-12 grade)
Why is the sky blue and sunsets red? How does the F117-Nighthawk fly through the sky undetected? From fiber optics to fresnel lenses, this module explores basic geometric optics and discusses everyday applications.
The fact that paper, fabrics, and laundry detergent glow under a blacklight is no coincidence of nature; these everyday products have been specifically engineered to do just that! This module introduces luminescence in terms of glowsticks, Wintogreen Lifesavers, and glow in the dark stars. We explore both natural and engineered fluorescents with applications to forensics and counterfeit detection. Great sequel to Optics and the Mind. (very visual, dark room desired)
This module introduces students to the many ways that polymers influence our lives. Hands on demonstrations and experiments let students see the various properties of polymers. Emphasis on polymer applications and engineering.
The module will be about composite materials. These are products that are made from two different materials that combine to give superior properties, such as strength and heat resistance. This module will incorporate several everyday examples of composite materials and discuss not only what they are made of, but also how and why two materials are chosen. Many demonstrations will be performed in addition to an experiment to be performed by entire class.
The engineering of a soda can. Why does a can have the shape it does?
Through observing and evaluating the design and history of an object as
simple as a soda can, students will learn fundamental engineering concepts
such as stress, pressure, and thermal expansion while also being made
aware of human considerations such as safety and budget. The module will
integrate hands-on experiments such as pressurizing and crushing a can,
collection and interpretation of data, and visual aids demonstrating
concepts encountered in all fields of engineering. Environment: From Rainfall to Your Faucet: The
Water Purification Process Clean, safe drinking water doesn't fall out of the sky and into your water
glass, nor is it produced magically from your faucet. This module will
demonstrate and explain typical treatment processes, which are used to
turn reservoir water into drinkable water. It will also focus on the
possible impact of water pollution on the availability of cheap, safe
drinking water. Aerodynamics - Flight - Aerodynamics: From Paper
Airplanes to 747's Almost everyone has flown a paper airplane at some time in his life. But
what keeps the plane up and allows it to glide? This module will
investigate this question and teach the basics of aerodynamics such as
Bernoulli's Principle, lift, drag and thrust. Paper airplanes will be used
as a model for demonstrations and to explain what keeps a Boeing 747 up in
the air. Students will have the chance to fly and build paper airplanes of
their own. DNA Technology With DNA technology paving the way for genomic exploration, this module
serves to introduce students to a technique used commonly in labs today.
PCR, the Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a process which amplifies regions
of DNA for experimentation. While describing the protocol of this process,
the basics will also be covered such as DNA structure, replication
mechanisms, and significance of its presence in the human body.
DNA-related topics may vary depending upon the level of the class. This is
great module to teach students about one of the most promising fields in
our future! Bridge Design: The Bridges We Cross Since ancient times, people have used bridges to overcome physical
boundaries, increasing communication and expanding a sense of community.
This module explores aesthetics, structure, and consequences of bridge
design. Following a brief introduction and discussion, students will
exercise their creativity and decision-making skills by building their own
bridges in small teams with limited materials. Bow and Arrow - Engineering Archery Bows In this study, students are introduced to the science and engineering
encountered in the design of an effective bow. Students are shown that a
flexible elastic rod without a string can effectively launch a marble, and
that a tight string anchored to fixed supports can do the same. The
bow/string combination takes advantage of these two phenomena. Roller Coaster - Engineering Excitement: The Science
Behind Roller Coasters This lesson explores the scientific principles that make roller coasters
so thrilling. Students learn how coasters run without engine power, how
riders "lose their stomach" on a sharp dip, and how they cars make it
around a loop. Scientific topics include inertia, gravity, energy, and
motion. This lesson is adaptable for elementary, middle and high school
levels and includes a host of entertaining demonstrations and hands-on
activities. Students will see how engineers turn science into fun while
designing a roller coaster. Astronomy - What's in space? What's in space? What does it tell us about our universe? A close look at black holes, stars, nebulas, and galaxies with the help of telescopes (like the Hubble Telescope and colored overheads from up-to-date images from on-line sites) and the images that they give us. Visual images of space and hands on demonstrations will let students grasp conceptually what's beyond planet earth. Spring 2001 Optics Why must the sky be blue for sunsets to be red? Why is
your face reflected up side down when looking at a metal spoon? This
module discusses selected topics from the electromagnetic spectrum, the
role of human perception, polarization by scattering, and ray diagrams for
mirrors along with other topics. Finally we look to engineering
applications such as color printing and why some car headlights use
Fresnel Lens. Polymers This module introduces students to the many ways that
polymers influence our lives. Hands on demonstrations and experiments let
students see the various properties of polymers. Emphasis on polymer
applications and engineering. Composite Materials- Cool Stuff The module will be about composite materials. These are
products that are made from two different materials that combine to give
superior properties, such as strength and heat resistance. This module
will incorporate several everyday examples of composite materials and
discuss not only what they are made of, but also how and why two materials
are chosen. Many demonstrations will be performed in addition to an
experiment to be performed by entire class. Liquid Crystals and LCD's Another Phase that Matters: Liquid Crystals and
LCD's Soda Can--Design and Mechanics The engineering of a soda can. Why does a can have the
shape it does? Through observing and evaluating the design and history of
an object as simple as a soda can, students will learn fundamental
engineering concepts such as stress, pressure, and thermal expansion while
also being made aware of human considerations such as safety and budget.
The module will integrate hands-on experiments such as pressurizing and
crushing a can, collection and interpretation of data, and visual aids
demonstrating concepts encountered in all fields of engineering. From Rainfall to Your Faucet: The Water Purification
Process Clean, safe drinking water doesn't fall out of the sky
and into your water glass, nor is it produced magically from your faucet.
This module will demonstrate and explain typical treatment processes,
which are used to turn reservoir water into drinkable water. It will also
focus on the possible impact of water pollution on the availability of
cheap, safe drinking water. Aerodynamics - Flight This presentation deals with the forces acting on an airplane in flight and how they arise. Topics include Bernoulli's Principle, lift, drag and thrust, and will be explained with the help of demonstrations. Spring 2000 Plastics - Could You Live a Day Without It? This module is about polymers and plastics. It will
include an explanation of the microstructure and the different types of
materials. specific examples with demonstrations and applications will be
given. Use of real-life stuff that the kids can relate to including the
use of models that make the concepts more tangible. In summary, A basic
discussion into the engineering aspect to show what role polymers play in
engineering processes. Bicycle Design for Everyday Riders and Racers **Composite Materials - Cool Stuff The module will be about composite materials. These are
products that are made from two different materials that combine to give
superior properties, such as strength and heat resistance. Examples such
as graphite shaft golf clubs, fiberglass, the Space Shuttle tile, and
bulletproof glass will be discussed. Many demonstrations will be done. Fiber Optics - How They Are Made and Why They Work
The module will deal with the science behind optical
fibers and how they are produced. The basic theory of how light is
reflected inside the fiber will be discussed (total internal
reflection/Braggs law). The processing of optical fibers will also be
discussed, including a brief introduction of the methods of Modified
Chemical Vapor Deposition, Vertical Axial Deposition and Sol-Gel
processing. Demonstration will include using a transmit light through a
fiber, and making a glass by sol-gel. Engineering of the Soda Can Why does a soda can have the shape and form that it
does? How strong is it, and how might it be made stronger using the same
amount of material? By understanding the evolution and design of a soda
can, students get an appreciation for engineering concepts such as stress,
pressure, thermal expansion, as well as for the safety, economic, and
human considerations in engineering design. Hands-on, qualitative
experiments include can pressurizing and crushing, as well as some simple
experiments designed to give students a feel for a variety of subjects
ranging from surface area/volume relations to the strength of materials.
**Another Phase that Matters - Molecules at Work!
Nearly all secondary school students have heard about
liquid crystal displays, or LCDs, because of their wristwatches or
calculators, but very few know what a liquid crystal is. The module will
introduce students to liquid crystals and how they are used in laptop
computers. They will have the opportunity to learn some basic properties
of matter, optics, and electricity. The students will learn how to apply
electricity to a real liquid crystal display that they can take home, to
create a series of letters and/or numbers. In addition, they will
fabricate their own liquid crystal sample and apply electricity to it they
will visually observe dramatic optical effects, which will be linked back
to the nature of the molecules. **Home insulation Insulating materials are used in many ways in daily
life. However, some materials are much better insulators than others
because they transfer heat much less effectively. This module presents the
basic principles of heat transfer, allows students to perform simple
experiments to measure heat transfer, and describes the difference between
heat and temperature. The module has been performed effectively at both
the middle and high school level. **Materials Processing (from Spaghetti to the Space
Shuttle) This demonstration will present an important aspect of
Materials Engineering -- Materials Processing. From the giant steel
columns and I-beams used in structural applications such as bridges to
lightweight advanced aluminum alloys used to carry cryogenic fuels for the
Space Shuttle to miniature chips used in fabricating semiconducting
devices prevalent in the electronic industry, Materials Processing plays a
central role., In fact, Materials Processing is vital to the economy and
the well-being of a nation. In this module, several examples of Materials
Processing will be highlighted, and one simple process, Extrusion, will be
discussed at some length. A demonstration of extrusion of Play-Doh will
illustrate the important parameters that designers use to successfully
"extrude" materials. The concept itself is as simple as "squeezing
tooth-paste out of a tube"!!!! Sports Equipment: Will discuss reasons for using hi-tech materials in sporting goods, such as lighter weight and increased stiffness. Lots of examples will be given, showing the multiple possibilities of using advanced materials in sports (i.e., graphite shafts in golf clubs, fiber glass in skis, different types of. polymers in basketball shoes, Kevlar in sail boats.)
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Copyright © 2003, Center for Advanced Materials Research |