Abilities of Technological Design (5-12)

* Identify a problem or design an opportunity. Students should be able to identify new problems or needs and to change and improve current designs.  * Propose designs and choose between alternative solutions.  * Implement a proposed solution. Computer software may be used.  * Evaluate the solution and its consequences.  * Communicate the problem, design, and solution.  (NSES, 1996)

One of the most spectacular learning tools we have ever seen! The name of this extraordinary learning tool is called Launchball and has been produced by the Science Museum of London. Students love this intuitive interactive. Once they get to the site, have students select "Play the Levels", they don't need a code (they will for saving their work), then have them do the "Warm Up". This will teach them all they need to know to explore this incredible virtual world of electricity, heat, magnetism, forces, motion, and the conducting power of copper. Just incredible!

The name of this clever "learning tool" is called Build Your Bridge. Designing and building a bridge to withstand earthquakes is no easy challenge. Explore the science, technology and people involved in the bridge with these interactive learning modules and simulations! Take on the challenge facing bridge designers and de sign a bridge that can withstand a Maximum Seismic Event—then test your bridge to see how it fares! Produced by NewBayBridge.org

Living in Space: Design a Space Station is a “learning tool” produced by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.  Students explore the idea of living in space and consider what humans need in order to live, work and thrive in space.  Students must design a space station and consider how they will breathe, eat, produce power, etc.

This "learning tool" is called The Journey of the Trieste.  This visual lesson gives a detailed account of the legendary descent to the deepest point of the sea, almost seven miles below the surface. PBS continues to be a leader in science education. This comes to us from the PBS series called The Savage Sea. Flash is required.

A little quirky and very fun to work with I Wish Fly on the Sky is a "learning tool" that helps kids learn about flight. Follow the adventures of a little wizard named Toby as she learns what it takes to fly. When you get to the site, just click the start button under "English". This clever tool was developed by the Science Museum of Tokyo.  Shockwave is required.

Many students are interested in engines and how they work. Matt Keveney has turned his talent and enthusiasm for engines into a wonderful web site that allows students to easily see how the major engine types work. The name of this "learning tool" is Animated Engines.

This is a tremendous "learning tool" called Medieval Levers. In this clever and textured interactive student are introduced to a medieval, first class lever called a Trebuchet. After a brief introduction, students are asked to build and test their own! This interactive was produced by Wonderville and the groundbreaking pioneers of science education at  Science Alberta.

Spectacular web site called Making the Modern World comes to us from the Science Museum. This learning tool brings you powerful stories about science and invention from the eighteenth century to today. It explains the development and the global spread of modern industrial society and its effects on all our lives. The site expands upon the permanent landmark gallery at the Science Museum.