What is the
Largest machine
Fastest racetrack
Coldest place
Emptiest space
Hottest spot
on earth?
It’s the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) that is scheduled to be “turned on” September 10, 2008. The LHC is a gigantic scientific instrument near Geneva, Switzerland that is 100m underground. It is a particle accelerator where two beams of subatomic particles called hadrons will travel in opposite […]

Middle school students struggle with differentiating between science and technology. “Engineers, architects, and others who engage in design and technology use scientific knowledge to solve practical problems. [Emphasis added] They also usually have to take human values and limitations into account.” This quote comes from Benchmarks Online, a publication of the American Association for the […]

Many kids and adults judge an amusement park’s fun factor by the thrill derived from its biggest and fastest roller coaster. What’s behind the thrills and chills? Ride designers use basic physics concepts involving force, motion, friction, direction, and speed to simulate danger as well as make the rides safe. According to the National Science […]

Even though the potential connection between today’s math classroom and the jobs of the future is frequently cited in speeches, reports, and news headlines, busy middle school students may not be paying attention. Here are five online resources that can help you make the connection more relevant, and a lot more engaging, to preteens. In […]

Professional groups representing engineers in many fields have developed web sites to introduce middle school students to career opportunities. All of the sites described here are noteworthy for their appealing graphics, kid-friendly approach, and access to the personal stories of young engineers. The importance of math and science learning is emphasized throughout.
The Engineering Alphabet
Links […]