Engineering workshop materials

Investigating Electrical Energy

Year: 5-7

Time required: 60 minutes

This workshop is designed to give students some hands-on experience in building and testing electrical circuits. Students use 'clip circuit' kits, which are safe and easy to use. This workshop develops science inquiry skills through the students' observation and collection of relevant data, and through questions relating to simple cause-and-effect relationships.

Guide for the Investigating Electrical Energy workshop (PDF file, 929.84 KB)

Presentation for the Investigating Electrical Energy workshop (PDF file, 1485.52 KB)

Alternative Energy

Year: 5-7

Time required: 60 minutes

This workshop is designed to give students a background to energy and its role in our society, including 'traditional' sources of energy. The workshop also introduces different types of alternative energy available, and how they are used to generate power. Students then use solar panels, and investigate how different environmental variables affect their energy output. This workshop develops science inquiry skills through the students' observation and collection of relevant data, and through questions relating to simple cause-and-effect relationships.

Guide for the Alternative Energy workshop (PDF file, 489.58 KB)

Presentation for the Alternative Energy workshop (PDF file, 469.47 KB)

Crystal Clear: effective water filtration for the modern engineer

Year: 8-10 science extension classes and year 11-12 chemistry, biology and engineering technology classes.

Time required: 70 minutes

This workshop is designed to demonstrate the complexity of water treatment and the role of the water cycle in maintaining life on earth. Students bench test water treatment methods to investigate their efficiency. This workshop develops science inquiry skills through the use of testing methods, collection and analysis of experimental data and evaluating evidence.

Teacher worksheet for the Crystal Clear workshop (PDF file, 793.57 KB)

Student worksheet for the Crystal Clear workshop (PDF file, 474.19 KB)

Successful Suspension: bridges that work, and why

Year: 8-10 science extension and year 11-12 physics and engineering technology classes.

Time required: 70 minutes

This workshop is designed to teach how bridges are designed to withstand loads and forces. Students build model bridges to investigate how the structure of different bridge types is designed to cope with the loads placed on the bridge. It develops science inquiry skills using model building, observing and measuring, analysing results and developing explanations.

Teacher worksheet for the Successful Suspension workshop (PDF file, 985.16 KB)

Student worksheet for the Successful Suspension workshop (PDF file, 1708.54 KB)

Using Force for Good

Year: 11-12 physics and engineering technology classes

Time required: 70 minutes

This workshop provides an introduction to the world of engineering through the principles of forces, equilibrium, moments and couples. Students physically model moments and couples and then compare their data to data collated using formulae. The workshop develops science inquiry skills using model building, observing and measuring, analysing results and developing explanations.

Teacher worksheet for the Using Force for Good workshop (PDF file, 578.43 KB)

Student worksheet for the Using Force for Good workshop (PDF file, 626.57 KB)

Activity sheet for the Using Force for Good workshop (PDF file, 30.59 KB)

Sun Boost

Year: 9-10 science classes

Time required: 70 minutes

This workshop introduces students to problem solving, solar energy generation and its importance in saving lives following natural disasters. Students investigate how the properties of light influence power generation.The workshop develops science inquiry skills by using specialist equipment, observing and measuring, analysing results and developing explanations.

Student worksheet for the Sun Boost workshop (PDF file, 967.93 KB)

Harden Up!

Year: 11-12 Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology and Design and construction classes.

Time required: 70 minutes

This workshop introduces students to the basic engineering principles of concrete construction and utilise those principles to make concrete beams. All workshop materials and equipment are supplied.

Teacher worksheet for the Harden Up workshop (PDF file, 922.01 KB)

Student worksheet for the Harden Up workshop (PDF file, 566.92 KB)