Second Grade, Mechanical Engineering Projects, Lessons, Activities (27 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.

Build a Mini Trebuchet

STEM Activity

455 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

577 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

357 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

Build a Rubber Band Paddle Boat

STEM Activity

52 reviews

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

Protect Your 'Eggstronaut': Build an Egg-Drop Lander

STEM Activity

155 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

Make Cardboard Automata

STEM Activity

104 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

Make the Fastest Rubber Band Paddle Boat

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

Rubber band paddle boats are a fun bathtub or pool toy that you can build yourself. How do you make a boat that goes the fastest? Find out in this project as you build and test your own boat. Read more

DIY Mini Propeller Car

STEM Activity

85 reviews

Build your own mini propeller car with craft materials and a simple circuit in this fun STEM activity! Read more

Duplicate Your Drawings with a Machine

STEM Activity

26 reviews

Have you ever wished you could copy a drawing but make it larger or smaller? If you've tried to create a larger or smaller copy of your work, you've probably realized that it is very hard to get the details right. A machine called a pantograph, however, could help. It makes copies that can be scaled up or down or made the same size. In this activity you will make your own pantograph and then duplicate your drawings. Can you figure out how it enlarges, shrinks or turns drawings upside down? Read more

Knock Your Blocks Off: The Mechanics of Carnival Games

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

"Hey kids, step right up! Toss this ball and win a prize!" shouts the carny barker. Sounds easy enough—until you try it. Why are those "simple" games at the fairs, carnivals, and boardwalks so hard? Is it really lack of skill or coordination or do those concessionaires use some basic laws of science to help them set up the games in their favor? This science fair project can help you find out for yourself. Read more

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