As engineering professors, we have both been teaching at the university level and conducting research in nanotechnology and engineering education for several years. After having our families, we have discovered that there is a lack of children’s books on engineering geared toward young children ages 4-8. Engineering education is a growing issue in our nation, and all research points towards engaging children in engineering concepts when they are at these young, impressionable ages. We have developed this children’s book on engineering targeted for ages 4-8 based on experiences that we have had in engineering education and research. Our goal with this book is to show children some exciting things that engineers design and engage them through humor and their own creativity.
Engineering Elephants
By Emily M. Hunt Michelle L. PantoyaAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Emily M. Hunt, Ph.D. and Michelle L. Pantoya, Ph.D.
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4490-5816-6Chapter One
To all the inspiring minds that will engineer our future ...
Engineers make elephants with long, swinging trunks
Wait a minute ...
Do engineers really make elephants? No, but they do make roller coasters!
Up and down, around again Roller coasters are so much fun! Engineers design the loops Sometimes two ... or just one!
Momentum holds you in your seat And keeps the car on the right path Engineers make it all work Using science and math!
Engineers make volcanoes hot lava bursting from within
Wait a minute ...
Do engineers really make volcanoes? No, but they do make race cars!
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! race cars whirl around the track using gasoline to go faster, always trying to lead the pack!
There are forces that slow down the cars The worst of these is drag Race cars designed by engineers are first at the checkered flag!
Engineers make eggs with thin, fragile shells
Wait a minute ...
Do engineers really make eggs?
No, but they do make surf boards!
In the big blue ocean filled with waves A surfer rides along the water's ledge Sun in the sky, beach in sight On a board engineered to push the edge!
The surfer stands, ready to go Using the water to float the ride Surfs up, dude! He shouts out loud As aerodynamics enhance his glide!
Engineers make ladybugs Small and red with dots
Wait a minute ...
Do engineers really make ladybugs? No, but they do make helper hands!
Some kids are born with hands and arms that don't look just the same Engineers can help these kids To play a sport or game!
Engineers make helper-hands With tiny wires and synthetic skin They open and shut and look really cool And are sure to help players win!
Engineers make clouds heavy and dark with rain
Wait a minute ...
Do engineers really make clouds? No, but they do make energy!
A new way for producing energy Built on top of country hills Wind turns them round and round Turbines that look like wind mills!
Engineers design them big and tall To make electricity for power The blades are a special material and shape To produce lights and heat at any hour!
Engineers make trees Fresh and green and rough
Wait a minute ... Do engineers really make trees? No, but they do make new materials!
Composite materials are used for a bicycle To make it lightweight and easy to load Shiny as silver and strong as steel A bike engineered for the road!
Football helmets are made from plastic Its molecules forming one long chain Engineered to absorb the impact To protect the player from any pain!
Engineers make bats Black and mysterious and blind
Wait a minute ...
Do engineers really make bats? No, but they do make fireworks!
Bang, boom, crackle, pop! Engineers know how to combine The right chemicals into fireworks To make the night sky shine!
The mixture is started with a blast An explosion occurs in the air Look up high at the beautiful colors A fireworks show for us all to share!
Engineers make rainbows Red, yellow, and green
Wait a minute ...
Do engineers really make rainbows? No, but they do make rocket ships!
A rocket ship is made for flight And can sail around the stars The ship moves faster and faster Circling Earth and heading toward Mars!
As the ship moves through the sky It uses gas and solid fuels Engineers put the ship in space Math and science are the tools!
Engineers make toes Big and little and stinky
Wait a minute ...
Do engineers really make toes?
No, but they do make new fabrics!
Kids keep warm with heat from the sun But soon the cold north wind blows in The temperature drops as heat starts to transfer It feels too cold on the skin!
Engineers design new fabrics Making cloth with little strings called nano threads These materials keep kids warm and dry In scarves and hats to protect little heads!
We have learned that engineers design roller coasters, race cars, surf boards, helper hands, wind turbines, composites, fireworks, rocket ships, and new materials ...
When you grow up to be an engineer, what new things will you create?
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Engineering Elephantsby Emily M. Hunt Michelle L. Pantoya Copyright © 2010 by Emily M. Hunt, Ph.D. and Michelle L. Pantoya, Ph.D.. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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