Roger Bacon (1214-1294)
This is a biographical sketch of Roger Bacon. Roger Bacon was an English scholastic philosopher who was also considered a scientist because he insisted on observing things for himself instead of relying on what other people had written. Bacon's writings included treatises on optics (then called perspective), mathematics, chemistry, arithmetic, astronomy, the tides, and the reformation of the calendar. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
This website is an intermediate on-line textbook on the fundamentals of flight. Initially, this resource examines different kinds of flight. Specifically gliding and true flight are explored. Further topics in the principles of flight will cover aeronautics, the movement of fluids, water and liquids, movement of air, measurements, properties of flight, air moving objects, and forces in flight. This resource also provides fundamentals of flight references. Copyright 2005 International Technology
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
This activity introduces students to the concept of drag in relationship to a sailboat. Students will design and make a sailboat. The materials needed are clean Styrofoam tray (trays that meats are sold on in the grocery store), wooden skewers (used for shish kabobs), small piece of a clean sheet, scissors, fan, large container of water, and pen. This would be a suitable activity for small groups. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
This activity introduces students to the dynamics of a propeller. Students will design and make a propeller. The materials needed are pencil with an eraser, scissors, sticky tape, thin cardboard, straight pin, and ice cream stick. Students may work individually or in groups. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
Science identifies speed as a ratio (distance over time). When combined with human innovation, speed can be applied exponentially. Speed is COSI's (Center of Science and Industry) newest traveling exhibit that examines the way in which speed impacts our lives. Speed has become blended and blurred into complex human desires to fall faster, to drop farther, and to climb higher. This website will demonstrate how speed touches our world. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Electricity
This document examines the mysterious force of electricity. The reading will focus on the physical properties of electricity and discuss topics such as (1) The Atom of Carbon, (2) Static electricity, (3) Magnets are special, (4) Magnetic fields can produce electricity, (5) Batteries produce electricity, (6) Electricity travels in circuits, (7) Secondary energy source, (8) Making electricity, (9) Moving electricity from power plants to homes, (10) Fuels that make electricity, (11) Fossil fuel pow
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
This is a biographical sketch of Otto Schott. Otto Schott is considered a leading pioneer in modern glass chemistry due to his creation of a variety of high quality glass for the optics industry. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Energy consumption
This document examines energy consumption. The reading will explore energy consumption or energy usage in the United States and discuss specific topics such as (1) Who uses energy?, (2) Homes and commerce, (3) Heating and Cooling, (4) Lighting, (5) Appliances, (6) Appliance efficiency ratings, (7) Payback period, (8) Industrial sector, (9) Petroleum refining, (10) Steel manufacturing, (11) Aluminum Manufacturing, (12) Paper manufacturing, (13) Chemical Manufacturing, (14) Cement Manufacturing, (
Wind
This document examine wind power as an energy resource. The reading will define wind and discuss topics such as (1) The history of wind machines, (2) Today's windmills, and (3) Types of wind machines. This resource is structured as an informational handout to supplement your energy activities or to generate discussion questions. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
In this activity, students explore the nature and impact of friction. Students will observe, predict and record an object's motion over smooth, slippery and rough surfaces. These tasks will include an introduction to basic statics and dynamics in engineering through a discussion of forces and friction and a hands-on activity. Learners conduct 2 demonstrations using marbles and coins to learn about friction. Forces, simple vectors and free body diagrams which depict the forces can be discussed wi
Measuring maze
This activity will allow students to apply measuring skills. Students will draw a series of lines of given lengths and directions that will end with a 45 degree angle. The supplies needed are 8 1/2x11 paper and a ruler. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
This resource is the first of 5 worksheets on reading a measurement ruler. The Step-by-Step handout allows the learner to practice drawing and identifying measurements by inch, quarter, and half of an inch. Each completed tasks will be indicated by the check placed in the boxes by the learners. In this activity, there are 21 tasks to check off and 1 question to answer. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Biomass : energy from wood, garbage, and agricultural waste
This resource explores the non-renewable resource of Biomass. As a organic material, biomass stores sunlight in the form of chemical energy. Biomass fuels include wood, wood waste, straw, manure, sugar cane, and many other byproducts from a variety of agricultural processes. Other focal topics will include types of biomass and the carbon cycle. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Testing materials for thermal conductivity
Students will recognize the significant causes of heat loss in the home. Students will realize the importance of using proper insulation with a high R-value to reduce heat transfer. The differences in conduction among several materials will be observed. This activity is for use with the fact sheet: Energy conservation in the whole. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
In this activity, students will understand the following (1) gravity is the force of attraction that causes objects to fall toward the center of the earth, (2) air resistance, or air friction, can slow down the acceleration of a falling object, (3) the area 'fronting the wind' affects the amount of air resistance a falling object encounters, (4) terminal speed is the speed at which the downward pull of gravity is balanced by the equal and upward opposing force of air resistance for a falling obj
Three forces on a glider
A glider is a special kind of aircraft that has no engine. Paper airplanes are the most obvious example, but gliders come a wide range of sizes. Toy gliders, made of balsa wood or Styrofoam, are an excellent way for students to study the basics of aerodynamics. This resource discussed the historical applications of the glider design, its comparison to powered air vehicles, and its ability to generate lift. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
The windmill (VM1)
This project requires designing blades for a windmill to be used in lifting weights. The activity involves assembly of the basic windmill as well as construction of, and adjustments to, the blades for optimum performance. Provides knowledge of static and dynamic friction, aerodynamics, and power calculations. Requires an understanding of horsepower and the difference between power and energy. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
The objective of this project is to launch a rocket powered by air and water for the longest flight duration. Parachutes can be used to extend the flying time and modeling software is available. Concepts related to this activity involve basics of aerodynamics and rocket propulsion. Copyright 2005 International Technology Education Association
Measuring (Const)
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to measuring with both the Standard Ruler and the Metric Ruler. Six attached worksheets will give students practice on measuring. A PowerPoint slide show is provided to introduce the pieces of a ruler. Working with their partners, students will complete worksheets representing equal portions of the inch (i.e. 1/4 and 3/4, or 1/8, 3/8, 5/8, and 7/8). This lesson provides background information for teachers and instructional procedures. Copyright
Measurement fundamentals
This lesson is from a variety of online tutorials developed for the Virtual Machine Shop. This module explores the subject of measurement. Linear and angular measurement is discussed and the inch and metric systems of measurement are compared. The uniqueness of the machine shop fraction is reviewed and examples of pronunciation are given. Animations and sound clips are provided to enhance the user experience. Users will have access to library, menu, previous, and next links to navigate throughou
