Discover Engineering in Central Texas

Grade Level:  Early Elementary School, 1^st-4^th  

Related classroom topics:  Manufacturing engineering, industries, technology

Supplies Needed: 

For a classroom of 20-30 students:   

·        20-30 large sugar cookies

·        2-3 cans of frosting

·        Assorted sprinkles

·        Gel writers

·        M&M’s, chocolate chips, etc…

·        Tablecloths to cover each work station

Procedure: 

1.      Show students a technology presentation showing how it helps create amusement parks, farms, and space adventures.  Discuss how understanding and knowing technology is important to being an engineer.

2.      Set up stations around the room at different tables.  Suggested stations:  frosting, sprinkles, gel writing, chocolate chips, M&M’s.

3.      Give each student a sugar cookie.

4.      Have the children start a manufacturing floor.

5.      Let the children pass through each station, carefully handling the cookie and decorating it.

6.      While they are going through each station explain to them the importance the process, and how to carefully handle the cookie so not to damage/break it.

7.      After they complete and eat their cookies explain how things like a circuit board for a toy go through a manufacturing process to be created.

Extensions: 

Use the Intel Book:  One Digital Day to supplement the presentation on technology.  The book has pictures of how technology plays a part in many industries.

Related topics you could discuss:  Space equipment, circuit boards, and manufacturing products

Hints/Tips:  Tie the process back to engineering using visuals.  Keep the kids interested by being very energetic. 

Original Experiment Submitter:  Tammie Hertel from Arizona