S.INQ Mechanical Engineering
6 Activities
Grades K - 5
4 Hours
Learning Standards: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Overview
This set of lessons will prepare teachers to explore mechanical engineering with their students using Engineering Design Grids. Simple materials like cardboard and rubber bands provide the power to build and test tops, vehicles, catapults, and safety devices in the classroom. Students will be exposed to mechanical engineering, and how they brainstorm, build, test, and modify devices with moving parts.
Continue Your Journey
1
1
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Egg Safe Seat
Students create a car that can safely transport an egg when it comes in contact with a wall. They learn about mechanical engineering as they use an engineering design process grid to build, test, and modify their designs. This activity can be done in one day or over several days.
Grades K - 5
1 Hour
2
2
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Tops
Students learn and become familiar with mechanical engineering by making and testing their own spinning tops.
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
3
3
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Catapults
In this activity, students use mechanical engineering to build a catapult that will fling a marshmallow projectile, testing and modifying it for speed, aim, and distance.
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
4
4
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Catapults Part 2
Students learn about Mechanical Engineering as they use the Engineering Design Process to make a catapult that will fling a marshmallow the furthest, focusing on distance and power as they test and modify their designs.
To gather background information on this activity, try the activity "S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Catapults".
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
5
5
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Cars and Ramps
Students design a car that will roll straight and far down a ramp. They learn about Mechanical Engineering as they test and modify cars to meet their goals.
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
6
6
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Self Propelled Cars
In this activity, students have the opportunity to build, test, and modify self propelled cars using an engineering design grid. Students will build cars with sails, testing them with a fan to see what kinds of sails work best to propel their vehicle.
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering
Overview
Continue Your Journey
1
1
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Egg Safe Seat
Students create a car that can safely transport an egg when it comes in contact with a wall. They learn about mechanical engineering as they use an engineering design process grid to build, test, and modify their designs. This activity can be done in one day or over several days.
Grades K - 5
1 Hour
2
2
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Tops
Students learn and become familiar with mechanical engineering by making and testing their own spinning tops.
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
3
3
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Catapults
In this activity, students use mechanical engineering to build a catapult that will fling a marshmallow projectile, testing and modifying it for speed, aim, and distance.
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
4
4
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Catapults Part 2
Students learn about Mechanical Engineering as they use the Engineering Design Process to make a catapult that will fling a marshmallow the furthest, focusing on distance and power as they test and modify their designs.
To gather background information on this activity, try the activity "S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Catapults".
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
5
5
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Cars and Ramps
Students design a car that will roll straight and far down a ramp. They learn about Mechanical Engineering as they test and modify cars to meet their goals.
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
6
6
S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Self Propelled Cars
In this activity, students have the opportunity to build, test, and modify self propelled cars using an engineering design grid. Students will build cars with sails, testing them with a fan to see what kinds of sails work best to propel their vehicle.
Grades K - 5
30 Minutes
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.