Engineering, Computers, and Modeling Activities

Fly a drone to monitor a volcano in this board game that teaches engineering practices.

Measure the speed of a flying UAV (drone).

Measure and calculate the height (altitude) of a flying UAV (drone).

Students learn basic maneuvers with a UAV, flying forward and back, left and right.

Students begin to learn basics of flying UAVs/drones. This simple initial flight includes a take-off, hovering at different heights, and landing.

Students learn basic aviation terminology and practice flying with a mock flight simulator in preparation for flying a UAV or "drone".

Students test a glider's launch design, payload, and atmospheric wind conditions that could favorably or negatively impact the pilot's intention to provide rescue supplies to a mountain community in need.  

Students plan a disaster relief mission employing a UAV (drone) by filling in a comic book-like storyboard of engineering design steps.

This activity uses stacks of blocks to demonstrate how a parallel-processing computer can complete calculations more quickly than a single, serial processor.

Students will fly their UAVs over a scale-model town that has been struck with a disaster, surveying the damage via a camera on the UAV.

Students deliver a payload (representing disaster relief aid) using a UAV (drone) after designing a skyhook to carry and release the payload.

Students use a UAV to pick up and carry a small payload, retrieving it from the far side of the room. Students design a "sky hook" to grab the payload.

Students test the battery life for UAVs ("drones") in preparation for more advanced "missions" and challenges.

Students test the ability of a UAV ("drone") to lift and carry a weight. The weight simulates a payload, such as sensors or supplies, transported by the UAV.