What to expect from an Engineering Ambassador School Visit:
Engineering ambassadors are able to travel within a one-hour radius of the Lincoln and Omaha areas. If your school is beyond this distance we will determine if we can drive there based on availability and scheduling. While it is not our preference we do offer virtual visit options for schools that are further away. If you are interested please indicate this in the comments section of your registration.
We will send two or more Engineering Ambassadors (EAs) to your school. We cover grades K-12 and tailor the presentation to the grade level. EAs can visit a class or do a larger format presentation with Q&A (and no hands-on activity) for larger audiences or assemblies. They generally present a 10-15 minute engaging TED style talk on an engineering topic (please see list of possible presentations – grade levels are merely guidelines, we may be able to tailor a presentation to your needs).
Presentations are usually followed by a related hands-on activity. Ideally, class sizes of 15-30 students work best for hands-on activities, although we have accommodated as many as 100 (with help from the school). We ask that you provide a computer that is connected to a projector, sound, and internet access. Powerpoint is preferred. We will do the rest.
Time allotment: generally a class period per presentation, but we are flexible. There is no charge for our visits.
In addition to presentations on engineering topics, we offer a presentation called "My College of Engineering Experience," which individual EAs prepare based upon their unique College of Engineering experience. These presentations give students a glimpse of one engineering student's experience at the University of Nebraska, College of Engineering. These are primarily geared for upper middle to high school students interested in college.
Presentation Topics and Descriptions
Aquaponics
In this presentation, students will learn all about aquaponics (the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics) and the engineering behind it. They will discover how this method of growing crops is very beneficial! Finally, they will learn about aquaponics’ future as an agricultural method and how it could be implemented for the benefit of the planet.
- Activity: This topic does not include an activity. The presentation would be an ideal accompaniment to your classroom aquaponics project.
- Level: Elementary to Middle school
- NE Science Standards:
SC.K.7.2.A SC.1.6.2.B SC.2.3.1.C SC.3.7.2.C SC.5.8.2.C SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.7.3.B SC.K.7.2.B SC.2.3.1.D SC.3.7.2.D SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.9.3.B SC.7.7.3.C SC.K.12.3.E SC.2.7.SC.2.C SC.3.7.2.E SC.7.8.4.D
Bridges
For this presentation, students will learn about the basic forces acting on bridges, including compression, tension, torsion, and shear. They will also learn about three main types of bridges: beam, truss, and suspension. The types of engineers working with bridges and the future of bridges is also discussed.
- Activity: students will design and build their own straw bridges and test them.
- Level: Upper elementary to high school
- NE Science Standards:
SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.2.1.B SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.HS.1.1.A SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.3.1.1.B. SC.4.4.2.D SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.1.1.C SC.HS.1.1.B SC.HSP.1.1.D SC.3.7.2.E SC.4.4.2.E SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.4.3.A SC.HS.5.5.E SC.HSP.16.4.G SC.HS. 15.5.D
Buoyancy and Boats
Students are exposed to the physics and history of buoyancy, and how it relates to the flotation of boats. They learn about the evolution of boats over time, why boats float, and different types of boats which exist.
- Activity: Students will be challenged to design and build boats out of foil that can hold the most amount of pennies!
- Level: Elementary or Middle School
- NE Science Standards:
SC.K.1.1.A SC.1.6.2.B SC.2.3.1.A SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.D SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.K.1.1.B SC.2.3.1.B SC.3.1.1.B SC.4.4.2.E SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.1.1.C SC.2.3.1.C SC.3.7.2.E SC.7.7.3.D SC.2.3.1.D
Clean Water
Students learn about the importance of clean water and the role engineers play in providing this essential resource! Topics covered include different historical and current water filtration techniques as well as challenges for the future.
- Activity: Students will be challenged to design their own water filters.
- Level: Upper elementary, middle, or high school
- NE Science Standards:
SC.K.7.2.B SC.2.3.1.A SC.3.7.2.D 4.2.1.B SC.5.3.1.A SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.HS.15.5.D SC.HSP.16.4.G SC.K.12.3.E SC.2.3.1.B SC.3.7.2.E SC.4.4.2.D SC.5.3.1.C SC.6.13.5.A SC.7.5.2.D SC.HS.15.5.E SC.2.3.1.C SC.4.4.2.E SC.5.13.4.C SC.7.7.3.C SC.HS.13.3.D SC.2.3.1.D SC.5.13.4.D SC.7.7.3.D SC.5.13.4.E SC.7.8.4.E SC.7.14.6.C
Earthquakes and Structures
Students explore the various types of earthquake waves and learn about the physics behind earthquakes.
- Activity: Students will discover how to design a structure which can stand up to an earthquake using toothpicks and marshmallows.
- Level: Upper Elementary, Middle School or High School
- NE Science Standards:
SC.2.3.1.A SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.C SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.HS.1.1.A-C SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.2.3.1.B SC.3.1.1.B SC.4.4.2.D SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.1.1.C SC.HS.13.3.C SC.HSP.1.1.D SC.2.3.1.C SC.3.7.2.E SC.4.4.2.E SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.4.3.A SC.HS.5.5.E SC.2.3.1.D SC.4.4.2.F SC.7.14.6.A SC.HS.13.3.A SC.2.13.3.A SC.4.13.4.D SC.7.14.6.C SC.HS.15.5.E
Flight
For this presentation, students will understand the four forces involved with flight and how engineers work to harness them, or limit them, in order to have planes fly! We will discuss the Bernoulli effect as well as the different types of engineering that go into making an airplane.
- Activity: Students will have the opportunity to engineer their own flying craft in the form of an o-wing glider! We will talk about how the forces of flight act on their design and how to improve the force of lift to improve their gliders.
- Level: Elementary, Middle School, or High School
- NE Science Standards:
SC.K.1.1.A SC.2.3.1.A SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.A SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.A SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.HS.1.1.A-D SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.K.1.1.B SC.2.3.1.B SC.3.1.1.B SC.4.4.2.B SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.1.1.C SC.HS.5.5.E SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.K.12.3.E SC.2.3.1.C SC.3.7.2.E SC.4.4.2.C SC.6.4.1.D SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.1.1.E SC.HS.15.5.E SC.HSP.1.1.C SC.2.3.1.D SC.4.4.2.D SC.8.1.1.F SC.HSP.1.1.D SC.4.4.2.E SC.8.4.3.A SC.HSP.16.4.G SC.4.4.2.F SC.8.4.3.B
Genetic Engineering
- Activity: Experiment to extract DNA from wheat germ
- Level: Middle and high school
- NE Science Standards:
|
SC.7.3.1.B |
SC.8.9.4.A |
SC.HS.5.5.E |
SC.HSP.16.4.G |
|
SC.7.5.2.D |
SC.8.9.4.B |
SC.HS.3.3.D |
SC.HSP.4.2.D |
|
SC.7.7.3.D |
SC.8.10.5.C |
SC.HS.6.1.A |
|
|
SC.7.8.4.E |
SC.HS.9.4.A |
||
|
SC.HS.15.5.E |
Geodesic Domes
“Into the Thunderdome” is a fun and interactive way to learn and create domes, but beware if its not in equilibrium it might collapse. Students will learn about the history of domes, the physics behind their creation and how engineers play a crucial role in dome creation.
- Activity: Students will have the opportunity to create and test their own domes.
- Level: Upper elementary to middle school
- NE Science Standards:
|
SC.3.1.1.A |
4.2.1.B |
SC.5.13.4.E |
SC.6.4.1.B |
SC.7.3.1.B |
SC.8.1.1.B |
|
SC.3.1.1.B |
SC.4.4.2.D |
SC.7.7.3.C |
SC.8.1.1.C |
||
|
SC.3.7.2.E |
SC.4.4.2.E |
SC.7.7.3.D |
SC.8.4.3.A |
Green Buildings
In this presentation students will learn about the history of green buildings and how they conserve energy. The different levels of LEEDs (Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications are covered, as well as how engineers are continuously improving these buildings!
- Activity: Students will be challenged to design and construct their own green buildings.
- Level: Middle or High School
- NE Science Standards:
| SC.2.3.1.A | SC.3.1.1.A | SC.4.4.2.C | SC.5.13.4.E | SC.6.4.1.B | SC.7.3.1.B | SC.8.1.1.B | SC.HS.1.1.A-C | SC.HSP.1.1.B |
| SC.2.3.1.B | SC.3.1.1.B | SC.4.4.2.D | SC.7.7.3.C | SC.8.1.1.C | SC.HS.13.3.C | SC.HSP.1.1.D | ||
| SC.2.3.1.C | SC.3.7.2.E | SC.4.4.2.E | SC.7.7.3.D | SC.8.4.3.A | SC.HS.5.5.E | |||
| SC.2.3.1.D | SC.4.4.2.F | SC.7.14.6.A | SC.HS.13.3.A | |||||
| SC.2.13.3.A | SC.4.13.4.D | SC.7.14.6.C | ||||||
My College of Engineering Experience
These short presentations are created by individual Engineering Ambassadors based upon their unique College of Engineering experience. These presentations give a glimpse of one engineering student's experience at the University of Nebraska, College of Engineering. They generally cover why the ambassador chose engineering, their classes, activities, research, internships, and life as an engineering college student. This is a good presentation for students particularly interested in engineering and/or have questions about college and college life.
- Level: Middle to High School
Prosthetics
Students are exposed to prosthetic limbs, the science behind their movement, and the materials which compose them. Students also learn about applications of prosthetics and the engineering that goes into using them.
- Activity: Students will design and create their own prosthetic leg or hand.
- Level: Upper Elementary or Middle School
- NE Science Standards:
SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.E SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.HS.1.1.A SC.HSP.17.1.B SC.3.1.1.B. SC.4.6.3.B SC.6.6.2.A SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.1.1.C SC.HS.1.1.B SC.HSP.6.4.F SC.3.7.2.E SC.4.6.3.C SC.6.6.2.B SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.4.3.A SC.HS.5.5.E SC.HSP.6.5.F SC.6.6.2.D SC.8.4.3.B SC.HS.15.5.D SC.HS.15.5.E
Rocket Propulsion
During this presentation, students will discover the impact rockets have had on our lives today. They will also learn about how a rocket works: how all of its components function together to its advantage and allow it to rise up into the sky. Finally, students can see how engineers are planning to use rockets in the future!
- Activity: Students will have the opportunity to design and fly their own straw rockets using our rocket launcher.
- Level: Upper Elementary, Middle or High School
- NE Science Standards:
SC.K.1.1.A SC.1.6.2.B SC.2.3.1.A SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.A SC.5.11.3.A SC.6.4.1.A SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.HS.1.1.A-D SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.K.1.1.B SC.2.3.1.B SC.3.1.1.B SC.4.4.2.B SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.1.1.C SC.HS.4.4.C SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.K.12.3.E SC.2.3.1.C SC.3.7.2.E SC.4.4.2.C SC.6.4.1.D SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.1.1.E SC.HS.5.5.E SC.HSP.1.1.C SC.2.3.1.D SC.4.4.2.D SC.8.1.1.F SC.HS.15.5.E SC.HSP.1.1.D SC.4.4.2.E SC.8.4.3.A SC.HSP.16.4.G SC.4.4.2.F SC.8.4.3.B
Roller Coaster Engineering
Students learn the ups and downs of roller coaster design and the physics and engineering behind roller coasters.
- Activity: Students will have an opportunity to put on their engineering caps and design and create their own roller coasters using household supplies.
- Level: any age
- NE Science Standards:
SC.K.1.1.A SC.1.6.2.B SC.2.3.1.A SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.A SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.A SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.HS.1.1.A-D SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.K.1.1.B SC.2.3.1.B SC.3.1.1.B SC.4.4.2.B SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.1.1.C SC.HS.5.5.E SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.K.12.3.E SC.2.3.1.C SC.3.7.2.E SC.4.4.2.C SC.6.4.1.D SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.1.1.E SC.HSP.1.1.C SC.2.3.1.D SC.4.4.2.D SC.8.1.1.F SC.HSP.1.1.D SC.4.4.2.E SC.8.4.3.A SC.HSP.16.4.G SC.4.4.2.F SC.8.4.3.B
Recycling
Students get an inside view on recycling! This presentation shares how different materials get recycled, the engineering behind recycling, as well as the benefits of recycling.
- Activity: Students will build a recycling sorting machine that separates plastic, paper, and metals
- Level: Upper Elementary School or Middle School
- NE Science Standards:
SC.2.3.1.A
SC.5.3.1.C
SC.7.7.3.D
SC.HS.5.5.E
SC.HSP.4.3.D
SC.2.3.1.B
SC.5.3.1.D
SC.HS.15.5.E
SC.HSP.16.4.G
SC.2.3.1.D
SC.5.13.4.E
Rube Goldberg Machines
This presentation teaches students about the history of Rube Goldberg Machines and how they work. The presentation discusses conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, simple machines, and the importance of creativity in engineering.
- Activity: Students will have the opportunity to create and test simple Rube Goldberg machines.
- Level: Middle school and up for two hours.
- NE Science Standards:
|
SC.3.1.1.A |
4.2.1.B |
SC.5.13.4.E |
SC.6.4.1.A |
SC.7.3.1.B |
SC.8.1.1.B |
SC.HS.1.1.A-D |
SC.HSP.1.1.A |
|
SC.3.1.1.B |
SC.4.4.2 |
SC.6.4.1.B |
SC.7.7.3.C |
SC.8.1.1.C |
SC.HSP.1.1.B |
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|
SC.3.7.2.E |
SC.6.4.1.D |
SC.7.7.3.D |
SC.8.1.1.E |
SC.HSP.1.1.C |
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|
SC.8.1.1.F |
SC.HSP.1.1.D |
||||||
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SC.8.4.3.A |
|||||||
|
SC.8.4.3.B |
Solar Energy
Students will learn about how solar energy is turned into electricity by the use of solar panels. The benefits of solar energy and the role engineers play in harnessing this technology will be discussed.
- Activity: Students will experience solar energy being converted into electricity and mechanical motion by designing and constructing a model solar car.
- Level: Middle School
- NE Science Standards:
| SC.3.1.1.A | SC.4.4.2.(A-F) | SC.5.13.4.E | SC.6.4.1.A | SC.7.3.1.B | SC.8.1.1 | SC.HS.1.1.A-E | SC.HSP.1.1.B | SC.HSP4.3.D |
| SC.3.1.1.B | SC.6.4.1.B | SC.7.7.3.C | SC.8.2.2.C | SC.HS.4.4.C | SC.HSP.1.1.B | SC.HSP.16.4.C | ||
| SC.3.1.1.C | SC.6.4.1.C | SC.7.7.3.D | SC.8.4.3 | SC.HS.5.5.E | SC.HSP.1.1.C | SC.HSP16.4.D | ||
| SC.3.7.2.E | SC.6.4.1.D | SC.7.8.4.E | SC.HS.15.5.D | SC.HSP.1.1.D | SC.HSP.16.4.G | |||
| SC.7.13.5.C | SC.HS.15.5.E | SC.HSP.4.3.B | ||||||
| SC.HSP4.3.C | ||||||||
Submarines
Extreme pressure, no air, no light, and unimaginable depths - under the surface, the ocean can be a scary place. Learn about how submarines were designed to tackle these challenges and more, through the careful design of a diverse group of engineers.
- Activity: Students will have the opportunity to build and manuever a submarine using a water bottle
- Level: Upper elementary, Middle, or High School
- NE Science Standards:
SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.A SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.A SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.HS.1.1.A-D SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.3.1.1.B SC.4.4.2.B SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.1.1.C SC.HS.5.5.E SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.4.4.2.C SC.6.4.1.D SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.1.1.E SC.HS.15.5.E SC.HSP.1.1.C SC.4.4.2.D SC.8.1.1.F SC.HSP.1.1.D SC.4.4.2.E SC.8.4.3.A SC.4.4.2.F SC.8.4.3.B
Surgical Robotics
This presentation will introduce students to modern day robots designed to assist with surgical procedures. Students will learn about how engineers work together to create the robots, and how each part of the robot serves a purpose to make the process more safe and effective.
- Activity: students will have an opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of a surgeon designing tools for a laproscoptic surgery activity!
- Level: Middle School and High School
- NE Science Standards:
SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.D SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1 SC.HS.1.1.A-D SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.HSP.16.4.C SC.3.1.1.B SC.4.4.2.E SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.2.2.C SC.HS.5.5.E SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.HSP16.4.D SC.3.7.2.E SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.4.3.A SC.HS.7.2.F SC.HSP.1.1.C SC.HSP.16.4.G SC.8.4.3.B SC.HS.15.5.D SC.HSP.1.1.D SC.HS.15.5.E
The Engineering of Music
Students explore how musical instruments produce sound and learn about the mechanics of sound waves. They discover the importance of engineers to the music industry!
Activity: Students will turn their drawings into music using the Makey Makey Invention Kit!
Level: Upper Elementary, Middle, or High School
Tissue Engineering
Students learn about the building blocks of life and how an understanding of biology can be used to engineer stem cells for use in the human body. They discover where stem cells come from and how engineered tissue can be used in medical applications.
- Activity: Students will do a somewhat related activity designing a heart valve.
- Level: Middle or High School
- NE Science Standards:
SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.E SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.HS.1.1.A SC.HSP.17.1.B SC.3.1.1.B. SC.4.6.3.B SC.6.SC.6.2.A SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.9.4.B SC.HS.1.1.B SC.HSP.16.4.G SC.3.7.2.E SC.4.6.3.A SC.6.SC.6.2.B SC.7.7.3.D SC.HS.5.5.E SC.HSP.7.2.D SC.HS.15.5.E SC.HSP.7.2.E
Video Games and Coding
In this presentation, students will learn about some of the basic coding concepts behind video games! Specifically, students will learn about conditional statements and object-oriented programming and their applications in video games. In addition, they will learn about the different types of engineers working on the many video games being created today!
- Activity: Students will develop programming and problem-solving skills (and have fun) learning how to control Sphero Mini Robot balls! This activity requires access to smart phones or tablet devices, and download of the free Sphero Edu app.
- Level: Upper elementary to middle school
- NE Science Standards:
|
SC.3.7.2.E |
SC.4.2.1.B |
SC.5.13.4.E |
SC.7.7.3.C |
SC.8.1.1.B |
|
|
SC.4.4.2.E |
SC.8.2.2.C |
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Virtual Reality
In this presentation, students learn the basics of virtual reality. Specifically, they will learn about how the brain processes images and how virtual reality headsets use that information to make 3D images. They will also learn about how virtual reality is used in real world settings.
Activity: Students will utilize the Husker STEM VR project, - an outreach/recruitment app built for the Oculus Quest, iOS, Android, and Web App. This activity requires that students have access to smart phones, tablets, or laptops.
Level: Middle, or High School
Wind Turbines
This presentation teaches students about a new type of farming on the rise, but one that has nothing to do with growing food! Students will focus on the importance of wind farms, specifically wind turbines, as well as explore the science behind how they work. Students will learn how they can make a future impact on wind turbine technology in a multitude of different engineering career paths.
- Activity: Students will have the opportunity to apply the engineering design process by designing and testing their own wind turbines.
- Level: middle or high school
- NE Science Standards:
SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2.(A-F) SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.A SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1 SC.HS.1.1.A-E SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.HSP4.3.D SC.3.1.1.B SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.2.2.C SC.HS.4.4.C SC.HSP.1.1.B SC.HSP.16.4.C SC.3.1.1.C SC.6.4.1.C SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.4.3 SC.HS.5.5.E SC.HSP.1.1.C SC.HSP16.4.D SC.3.7.2.E SC.6.4.1.D SC.7.8.4.E SC.HS.15.5.D SC.HSP.1.1.D SC.HSP.16.4.G SC.7.13.5.C SC.HS.15.5.E SC.HSP.4.3.B SC.HSP4.3.C
Ziplines
Students will learn about the design and the physics and engineering behind zip lines.
- Activity: Students will have an opportunity to create and test their own zip line vehicles.
- Level: Elementary, middle school
- NE Science Standards:
SC.K.1.A SC.1.6.2.B SC.2.3.1.A SC.3.1.1.A SC.4.4.2 SC.5.13.4.E SC.6.4.1.A SC.7.3.1.B SC.8.1.1.B SC.K.1.B SC.2.3.1.B SC.3.1.1.B SC.6.4.1.B SC.7.7.3.C SC.8.1.1.C SC.K.12.3.E SC.2.3.1.C SC.3.7.2.E SC.6.4.1.D SC.7.7.3.D SC.8.1.1.E SC.2.3.1.D SC.8.1.1.F SC.8.4.3.A SC.8.4.3.B