Rev Up for Cars!

 

The U.S. is a nation of cars. Look under the hood of cars with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• See the history of cars at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iorv0Ty2Gbk; teens will probably prefer this visual history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFovJ4HZ8s
• How does a car work? Watch how gas and electric engines work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyNaWBl4OXg
• Watch how cars are manufactured at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn6scKf7k_0

 

CREATE:

• Going on a road trip? Try these 20+ unplugged road trip activities to pass the time: https://travelmamas.com/unplugged-road-trip-activities-for-kids/
• Like playing with toy cars? Here are lots of ways to expand that playtime for youngsters – AND store those toys: https://www.learningandexploringthroughplay.com/2016/08/toy-car-activities-and-storage-ideas.html
• Get crafty with cars with these toddler-friendly ideas: https://www.kidorzo.com/car-crafts-for-toddlers/

 

CARE:

• Watch how to be safe in a car: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5KrRVdt74U
• Learn about basic traffic signs and rules at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpEWVxNj2xo
• Do you ride a bike? You usually share the road with cars and other vehicles, so watch this bicycle safer journey at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkoVxBnnGko&t=139s

 

CAREERS:

Does a car-related CAReer rev you up? Explore the possibilities!

• https://www.lelandwest.com/blog/listing.asp?2021/8/career-advice-for-people-who-love-cars
• See the range of jobs for car enthusiasts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbJc7geEpiM
• Check out a mechanic at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDmQpsKwTmE

Hail Hydrogen!

Hydrogen is the simplest and lightest element on Earth – but by mass, Hydrogen makes up about ¾ of all matter in the universe.  Uncover the hidden depths of hydrogen in these activities.

CONNECT:

• Watch the story of hydrogen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiNRls_pBnU
• Hydrogen is an element of contrasts: necessary to create water – and can be explosive – as seen in this actual hydrogen balloon tragedy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgWHbpMVQ1U
• What do fertilizers, transportation and electricity have in common? Hydrogen! Read all about these uses of hydrogen at https://hydrogeneurope.eu/hydrogen-applications

CREATE:

• Read these kid-friendly facts about hydrogen and do your own hydrogen experiment at https://www.scienceforkidsclub.com/hydrogen.html
• Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a common household liquid made of molecules with two hydrogen and two oxygen atoms. You can do several science experiments with H₂O₂ at https://diyeverywhere.com/2017/12/11/6-fun-science-experiments-you-can-do-with-hydrogen-peroxide/
• Make elephant toothpaste by following this video’s directions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSWHRwGaOqs

CARE:

• Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)  is sometimes used as medication. Find out its safety factors with kids at https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/hydrogen-peroxide
• Hydrogen is now powering some cars because it is such a clean and efficient form of energy. See how they work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5b6SthDbsE
• There are several ways to clean toys, including with Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); use the guidelines at http://theguidefortoys.com/Blogs1/The-Cleaning-Guide-for-Toys.htm

CAREERS:

Getting a hydrogen-related job may be elemental: as a chemist, scientist, doctor, manufacturer (and seller) or even astronaut! Get energetic with hydrogen!

https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/careers-hydrogen-and-fuel-cells

https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2006/07/energetic-future-hydrogen

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/hydrogen/index.html

R U A Robot?

Robotics started as 19^th century science fiction, and is now a growing field of science. Explore our newest relative.

CONNECT:

• Explore the different tasks that robots do: at http://www.frc.ri.cmu.edu/
• What can robots do – or not do? Check the facts at http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/robots/facts.cfm
• Visit a whole museum about robots at http://www.the-robotman.com/
• The first time the word “robot” was used was in the play R.U.R.. Read about it at http://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/sf/r.u.r.html
• Read 20 great books about robotics: http://robohub.org/20-great-books-to-hook-kids-and-teens-on-robotics/

CREATE:

• Design and build a robotic rover with cardboard and a balloon; follow the directions at http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/summer/education_resources/engineering_grades7-9/E_nanorover.html#.VldOj793EZw
• You can also build your own virtual robot, and use it for gaming – at http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/R/robots/constructor.html
• Consider visiting – and participating – in a robot competition, listed at http://www.robofest.net/ and http://robots.net/rcfaq.html
• Dance like a robot at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggadhy--yLs

CARE:

• Support the US, NASA, AND Robots by joining the Robotics Alliance as a family: http://robotics.arc.nasa.gov/email/subscribe.php
• Robots can protect people -- by finding and defusing bombs, and taking on other hazardous duties. Watch how they work at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/robots/
• Here are 9 more awesome ways that robots help people: http://mic.com/articles/118712/9-awesome-robots-that-are-helping-to-save-the-world#.j1QERWk9o
• See how driverless cars work: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/trends-innovations/driverless-car.htm  Consider: should a driverless car kill the passenger to save a child outside? http://qz.com/245142/should-your-driverless-car-kill-you-to-save-a-child/

CAREERS:

Interested in robots? Or robotics? Don’t just sit there; get moving!

• You could become a robotics engineer: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-engineering-careers/engineering/robotics-engineer
• Read about other robotics career paths at http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/robotics/careercorner/#.VldeD793EZw.
• Watch NASA’s video to get career advice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyE6l7Ewko8&feature=youtu.be&list=PL9TFrgFq7557J_fG5s4TsNmSqwFuEjaFU
• It’s not only a science career. Think about manufacturing and selling, health, writing, clothing, illustration, even food preparation.

And Away We Go!

Think about all the ways we get around: foot, tricycle, car, airplane, horseback. Trying brainstorming all the possible means of transportation alphabetically, or by use according to age from infancy to old age.  What gets transported? Almost everything! Learning about transportation can be a moving experience.

CONNECT:

• You may ride in a car almost every day, but do you know how the average car engine works? Look under the hood at http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm
• Enjoy a variety of online activities exploring the principles of aviation and spaceflight at NASA: http://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/online.cfm
• Sometimes a boat carries airplanes. Find out about aircraft carriers: http://www.newtonsapple.tv/TeacherGuides_techInvention.php
• Have you ever wondered what the fight deck controls of aircraft like the777, 767, 747, 340, 320, and the F-16 do? For future pilots, pilots upgrading to new equipment, cockpit engineers, hobbyist, or just the curious looking for some information, the Flightdeck Simulations here has these details at your finger tips: http://meriweather.com/flight-decks/
• Going down under with this web site about the history of New York City's subway system and other transportation systems: http://www.nycsubway.org/
• If you read “Peanuts,” you’ll have heard about Zambonis:  a brand of ice resurfacer. Learn how the Zamboni works, read about its inventor and the famous machine's history, and keep up to date on Zamboni news and trivia: http://www.zamboni.com/
• Learn about the fastest car ever, and read how others are trying to break the record for speed  at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fastcars/

CREATE:

• Have fun with car licenses, and make your own! Check out plates from around the world at http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/
• Design helps make the car run better and look better. Concept cars are the start on the way to production. Take a look at fun concept cars at http://www.conceptcarz.com/, and try your own hand to designing one.
• There are lots of fun ways to create airborn transportation. Here are some good websites to inspire creators: http://www.zurqui.com/crinfocus/paper/airplane.html, http://www.funpaperairplanes.com/, http://www.origami-instructions.com/paper-airplanes.html, http://www.amazingpaperairplanes.com/Simple.html
• Let young Leonardo da Vinci guide you through this website which is a history of flight. Designed by sixth graders, this site has a timeline beginning in 1000 AD, biographies of some famous aviators, external links, experiments you can try, and photos of numerous planes: http://library.thinkquest.org/3785/
• Take a virtual road time on Route 6 (http://www.paroute6.com/), and then create your own road trip using http://maps.google.com or http://maps.yahoo.com

CARE:

• It’s not enough to be transported; you need to stay safe. Boat Safe Kids (http://boatsafe.com/kids/index.htm) gives good safety tips and provides fun facts.
• Otto’s Playland (http://www.ottoclub.org/) is an interactive site with many fun games and activities about being safe with automobiles.
• Many teens enjoy dirtbikes. Dirtbike School (http://www.dirtbikeschool.org/) offers safety tips, an image gallery, and more.
• Use this bicycle safety activity kit: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/bskitboth/3152bskit/pages/section1/section1toc.html
• Remember to keep your head when you use bikes. Here are good tips: http://www.seattlechildrens.org/safety-wellness/bike-helmet-safety/
• Get back to basics: foot transportation. http://www.foothealthcare.com/shop/walking_sport_and_outdoor_activities provides tips for the family.
• Not only people but most products are transported. http://food-hub.org/files/resources/Food%20Miles.pdf discusses how food is transported, and health issues associated with these processes.

CAREER:

Transportation is a moving career…. From creating and manufacturing to driving and maintaining transportation, as well as supervising transportation, there’s hardly any job that doesn’t involve transportation. Here are some starting websites about such jobs.

• http://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/home.htm
• http://www.khake.com/page44.html
• http://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/516
• http://wings.avkids.com/  a guide to careers in aeronautics.