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Fifth Grade, Mechanical Engineering Projects, Lessons, Activities (54 results)

If you're interested in object motion and enjoy building things or taking mechanical things apart to see how they work, then it sounds like you'd be interested in mechanical engineering.

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Ball Launcher Challenge
Science Fair Project Idea
Engineering Design Process
Try your hand at this engineering challenge. Can you build a "launcher" device to launch a ball as far as possible and a "receiver" to catch it? Building a receiver provides an extra twist to a traditional catapult project. Add to the challenge by using a limited set of materials to build your machine and calculate a score based on your throw distance and materials used. Read more
Build a Mini Trebuchet
STEM Activity
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449 reviews
You probably know what a catapult is. In the Middle Ages armies would use them to hurl stones at castle walls. But did you know about an even bigger type of medieval siege weapon called a trebuchet? Try this project to build a miniature version! Read more
Build a Rubber Band-Powered Car
STEM Activity
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568 reviews
Admit it, you've probably launched a rubber band at least once—pulled one end back, and let it go flying. Did you ever suspect that rubber bands could also be a fun way to learn about physics and engineering? Find out in this project where you'll build a rubber band-powered car. Read more
Build a Wind-Powered Car
STEM Activity
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348 reviews
Is that a sailboat or a sail...car? Design and build a toy car powered by the wind in this fun engineering project! Read more
Make Cardboard Automata
STEM Activity
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101 reviews
Have you ever wondered how to create art with moving parts using nothing but cardboard, a few skewers, and some craft supplies? In this fun STEM activity, you will build an automaton, a machine that makes parts appear and disappear, move up and down, spin in circles, or all of these together. The instructions will show you how to build a moving caterpillar, but you can use your imagination to build any other animal or object you want! Read more
Ping Pong Pickup Challenge
Science Fair Project Idea
Engineering Design Process
In this engineering challenge, you will build a device that can pick up a ping pong ball from a distance and return it to a start line. The farther away the ball is, and the fewer materials you use to build your device, the higher your score. You can see how other students have tackled this and other annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenges. Read more
Protect Your 'Eggstronaut': Build an Egg-Drop Lander
STEM Activity
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154 reviews
The egg-drop project is a classic and time-honored tradition in many science classes. The goal is usually to build a device that can protect an egg when dropped from a high location. This activity puts a twist on the classic project, motivated by real-world advances in space exploration. Can you build a reusable egg-drop lander that can survive repeated falls from the same height? Try this activity and find out Read more
Build a Rubber Band Paddle Boat
STEM Activity
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Build your own bathtub or pool toy from simple craft materials in this fun activity! You will build a rubber-band-powered boat that can zip across the surface of the water after you wind up the rubber band. Read more
Lift a Load Using Hydraulics
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Can you lift a car? No? You say you are not strong enough? True, our bodies are not built to lift heavy loads like cars. Fortunately, our brains are smart enough to harness the power of fluids, like water and oil, to create hydraulic lifts. By pushing a button on a hydraulic lift, a mechanic can easily raise a car with one finger. Lifts can also be used to raise lots of other heavy loads - even such massive things as steel girders to construct a skyscraper! In this mechanical engineering… Read more
Volleyball Machine Challenge
Science Fair Project Idea
Engineering Design Process
Can you build a volleyball machine? It will need one part to launch a ping pong ball over a net and another to return the ball. How many back-and-forth volleys can you get before the ball touches the ground? Looking for inspiration? You can see how other students have tackled this and other annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenges. Teachers, lesson plan versions of this challenge are available. Read more
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