TryEngineering Together Unit Descriptions

The following units are available at the elementary and middle school levels of the platform.

Getting Started with TryEngineeringTogether

This unit introduces the TryEngineering Together program and begins the STEM learning friendship between students and their eMentors. Students and eMentors exchange their first letters introducing themselves and sharing their curiosities about the natural world.

Reading
Informational

3D Printing

3D printers are popping up at libraries and schools. What do they do and why are they important? In this unit, you’ll find out how 3D printers can be used to help people and animals.

Engineering,
Tech and Design

Aircraft

From transporting people to different places to putting out fires or mapping Earth, aircraft have different features and are used to help people in lots of different ways.

Engineering,
Tech and Design

Alternative Energy

Energy sources like gas and coal won’t last forever. Read about how the sun, wind, and plants can be used as cleaner, renewable energy.

Engineering

Artificial Intelligence

Can computers think? Artificial intelligence (AI) is the technology that programs computers to translate languages, drive cars, and even play games and create art! Read about how engineers use AI to support human needs.

Engineering,
Tech and Design

Be an Inventor

Have you ever said, "Someone needs to invent something to solve this problem!" That someone could be YOU! In this unit, you'll read about kid inventors of the past and present. They aren't yet engineers, but they can design things to make life better.
(elementary level only)

Reading
Informational,
Engineering,
Tech and Design

Bionic Bodies

One in every 200 people in the world uses some kind of prosthetic! Learn how engineers continue to improve the designs of replacement parts for people.
(elementary level only)

Reading
Informational,
Engineering,
Tech and Design

Bridges

Engineers have been designing bridges for centuries! Each bridge is unique, and engineers need to think about how strong the bridge needs to be and what materials should be used to build it. Read about the different types of bridges you can travel across all around the world.

Reading
Informational,
Engineering,
Physical Science

Clean Water for a Thirsty Planet

Explore how scientists are solving the world's water crisis for the billions of people who need safe and clean water to drink.
(elementary level only)

Reading
Informational,
Earth Science

Cybersecurity

Discover the importance of cybersecurity and how we can protect ourselves and our information in the online world.

Tech and Design

Deep Sea

For centuries, humans have built ships, boats, and rafts to travel across the vast oceans. But technology hasn't allowed people to dive down very far ... until now! Find out how modern ocean exploration is beginning to unlock the mysteries of the deep sea.

Reading
Informational,
Life Science

Design Process for Inventing

Meet dynamic young inventors who identified a problem and then used the invention design process to devise a solution. Then, try your hand at the design process and see what you can invent to improve our world.
(middle school level only)

Reading
Informational,
Engineering,
Tech and Design

Drones

Look up! Who's flying that drone? Drones were originally only used by the military to assist on special missions, but now they're being used in many different professions. Read more about how people are using these remote-controlled flying machines!

Engineering,
Reading
Informational

Electricity

Look around. How many electrical outlets do you see? What is plugged in to them? Our lives depend on electricity! In this unit, you’ll find out where electricity comes from and how it gets to your devices.

Engineering

Energy from the Sun

When you put on sunglasses or feel the Sun’s warmth on your skin, you’re experiencing the energy of the Sun. Engineers are using the Sun’s energy to do amazing things. Find out how they use solar energy to help people during disasters, design futuristic cars that run on sunshine, and power people’s homes.

Earth,
Reading
Informational,
Science Engineering

Engineering Careers

Look around. Most of the things we use everyday—cars, phones, even cereal boxes—involve the work of engineers. Whether it’s making spacecraft, bringing us electricity, or designing cities, engineers have a role. Engineers do so many things that make our lives better!
(middle school level only)

Engineering,
Reading
Informational

Engineering Is Everywhere

From spoons to skyscrapers to superhighways, all around us engineers are using the engineering design process to solve everyday problems and make our lives better. The engineering design process isn't just for engineers, though. Anyone can use it to solve a practical problem!

Engineering,
Reading
Informational,
Tech and Design

Everyday Engineering

The work of engineers touches every part of daily life. From transportation to household devices to smartphones, engineers design things that make our lives easier. Explore some ways that engineering is a part of your life every day!

Engineering

How Coding Works

Computers might seem like they have brains, but they're really just machines. How do they know what to do? How are they able to understand our clicks, swipes, and key strokes? This unit explains the code that's used to "talk" to digital devices.
(elementary level only)

Reading
Informational,
Tech and Design

Humans in Space

Humans have made amazing advancements in space! Learn how NASA has sent men and women into space and what their plans are for future missions.

Reading
Informational,
Earth Science

I Am an Engineer

Reading
Informational,
Engineering

Learning to Fly

Have you ever wished you could fly? It took thousands of years for people to figure out how to build an aircraft that could stay in the air, move forward on its own, and be controlled by a pilot. In this unit, you'll discover how humans learned to fly.
(elementary level only)

Reading
Informational,
Physical Science

Living in Space

Engineers and astronauts use research and problem-solving to understand what it takes for humans to meet their everyday needs in space, plan for extended space voyages, and set up colonies on the moon and Mars.

Engineering

Making Sports Better

What gear do you use to play sports? From helmets to balls to sports shoes, engineers design sports equipment that is safer, lighter, faster and stronger.
(elementary level only)

Engineering

Managing Natural Disasters

Many people will face extreme weather events or natural disasters during their lifetime. From storm trackers to seawalls to rescue drones, engineers are designing different solutions to protect property and lives when disaster strikes.

Engineering

Matter Matters

Look around. What are the things around you made of? Metal, glass, rubber? Metal is hard and shiny whereas rubber is flexible and dull. This unit is about the properties of different materials and how we use them to make useful things. Find out what kinds of processes people have invented in order to change the properties of materials.

Reading
Informational,
Physical Science

Protecting Wildlife

In every environment you can think of—forests, oceans, and even cities—there are animals that struggle to survive. In this unit, find out how the inventions of engineers help scientists protect and save wildlife.

Reading
Informational,
Life Science

Robotics

Have you seen any robots lately? Perhaps you’ve played with a robot toy or seen a robot in a movie. This unit is about how robots make sense of the world using different kinds of sensors. Find out what kinds of robots people are using right now and how robot sensors help them carry out their jobs.

Reading
Informational,
Tech and Design

Simple Machines

Ever wonder how you can make work easier? Simple machines to the rescue! Learn about the six kinds of simple machines and what type of work each one does best!
(elementary level only)

Reading
Informational,
Physical Science

Slime

The world is full of slime! Almost every animal makes mucus. Ooze, goo, spit, and mucus are everywhere. In this unit, you’ll find out what slime does and how engineers are being inspired by slime to invent new things.

Earth Science

Sound Energy

We use sound every day—to talk and make music. People aren’t able to hear all sounds, though. Engineers use their knowledge of sound to design devices to help us navigate, see inside things, study animals, and detect earthquakes.
(middle school level only)

Engineering

Sports Innovation

What gear do you use to play sports? From helmets to balls to sports shoes, engineers design sports equipment that is safer, lighter, faster and stronger.
(middle school level only)

Engineering

STEM Career Pathways

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are all around us. STEM touches every part of daily life. As a result, STEM professionals are needed in all areas of life. Explore some of the many different ways to enter into a career in STEM.

Engineering

STEM through Hobbies

Hobbies, such as sports, art, music, and building, help us learn many important skills. Some hobbies can lead to exciting STEM careers!

Engineering

Sustainability

Sustainability is not just for engineers, it’s for everyone. The practice of sustainability looks at ways we can use natural resources now and for many generations in the future. Learn about how engineers—and you—can create a more sustainable world.

Engineering

Telescopes

Look up. Have you ever wondered what is out there among the stars? Learn about innovations in telescopes and what secrets of the universe they can reveal.

Engineering

The Future of Cars ... is Now!

Engineers have been improving on car designs to make vehicles safer, more convenient, more environmentally friendly, and accessible to more people. Find out how far they've come!

Reading
Informational,
Engineering,
Tech and Design

The Science of Data

We live in a world filled with data. When we read product reviews, monitor the weather, or even track our fitness, we are collecting data! Read about how data is collected and find out what people do with all those facts.

Math,
Reading
Informational

What Is Sound?

Engineering

Working with Wind Energy

When you feel a cool breeze on your face, hear the leaves rustle in the trees, or see a flag waving in the sky, the forces of wind are at work. From powering villages, to taming hurricanes, to ensuring the protection of wildlife, engineers are harnessing the power of wind to do some amazing things!
(elementary level only)

Reading
Informational,
Earth Science

Reflection

Students reflect on what they've learned from TryEngineering Together and reread their letter exchanges, then write a final letter to their eMentor expressing appreciation and saying goodbye.