This introductory activity gives students the challenge of building a LEGO boat (with limited pieces) that floats and holds the most weight afloat. The students will begin to see how buoyancy works and gain familiarity with putting LEGO bricks in water.

In this activity students explore how a propeller's size can influence the amount of propulsion they will get. They will build a simple set-up where they can record how many revolutions a certain propeller makes in a set time. This can be compared to the same set-up with different sized propellers. ...

Learning Objectives: To introduce the students to pulleys and how they work
• What LEGO pieces make a pulley? (pulley wheel, pulley band)
• How do pulleys work?

The Challenge: Each student builds a 2-pulley wall (a beam with 2 pulley wheels, 2 axles, 2
...

In this underwater activity students build a boat with two motors and touch sensors that they must navigate through a small course.

NOTE: The RCX cannot be submerged in the water.
Propellers can be bought at http://www.hobby-lobby.com/boatprop.htm
3/16" Drive dog props ...

Objectives: Familiarize students with sturdy building using LEGO simple machine kits. Use sturdy shapes to build a structure. Build engineering and LEGO vocabulary.
Materials Needed:
LEGO Simple Machines Kits
Stack of books
Rulers
Worksheets
Procedure
...

In this lesson students have to build a "spatula" (cantilevered beam) that can hold as much weight as possible. Students learn what makes strong and sturdy connections in LEGO building and can explore how cantilevered beams work.

This is part of the curriculum unit "Robotics: Assisti...

I find it helps to keep young children (early elementary) more focused on the task at hand if they only have access to the pieces they need. For example, I usually take the motors and battery packs out of the Simple Machine kits.

Objectives:
Kids will program motors to change direction 3 times using rotations, seconds, degrees, or unlimited DURATION and make a robot that does the Bunny Hop.

This lesson plan and student "journal" page ask students to design and build moveable models of animal structures. A rubric is included for students to use to critique their models.

In this activity students will construct a tower that is at least 4-6 inches high. The tower must withstand first the weight of a stack of books, then themselves and then you.
Concepts: 1) building
2) sturdiness