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Looking for reverse engineering ideas for grades 8-9 students. Have some ideas, but could use a lesson plan, and resources. Looking to take things apart, have kids lay out the pieces, draw a diagram of the parts, maybe 3-d sketches or down on CAD. Thanks!

Hi David. I did a quick search on Google for “Reverse Engineering Ideas”, and found these results that might be useful. http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/cub_/activities/cub_engineering_in_reverse/cub_engineering_in_reverse.xml Students analyze push toys by taking them apart and diagramming what they see. I’ve found many of these at Dollar Tree stores for a … you guessed it, a dollar. I used this with my middle school students and they loved it. The best part was I had them recycle the pieces into a new invention of their own. It’s amazing what they kids came up with. http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/break-it-down-reverse-engineering/ Students analyze a push-toy, draw a diagram of the predicted mechanisms within the toy. It appears kids toys are the object of choice when teaching Reverse Engineering. Have fun, I can’t wait to hear what you come up with to use in your class.

Thanks Sandy. My students will be really enthused with this assignment. I'll let you know more about the lesson, too.

Hi David,

There's also a great activity from Science Scope, 'What Makes a Bic Click?' that I've used with great success in the past.

Be sure to let us know how your engineering lessons go!
Kendra