Yes!
I am just leaving from a conference on technology for development
which was attended by an MIT undergraduate as she left to go to
Tanzania and develop a curriculum for teaching a course in appropriate
technology at a vocational school. I participated in a brainstorming
session to come up with examples for her and she left with a list of
good prospects. I am going to forward this email to her so she can
respond although it may take her a little time as she does not have
easy internet access while she is there.
Other sources that are too challenging for most middle school students
but from which you could probably pull some examples:
One well known book with lots of examples is Cycling Science by MIT
emeritus professor, David Gordon Wilson: http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Science-David-Gordon-Wilson/dp/0262731541/re...
Expert Village has some interesting videos done by Charles McMahon,
retired professor of material science at U of Penn at: http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/457_bicycle-parts.htm
He has a book at: http://www.merionmedia.com/
Gwyn Jones, lab instructor MIT d-lab http://web.mit.edu/d-lab/ Maya Pedal http://www.mayapedal.org/
On Jun 11, 2008, at 4:52 PM, adam schwartz wrote:
Does anyone have, or have seen any curriculum materials that relate
bicycles to science and math. Anything related to technology,
engineering, and design as well would be greatly appreciated. Also
if anyone is interested in collaborating on writing a curriculum
together for a science, engineering and technology program around
the idea of "Pedal Power" then please let me know.Here is the description for the program I am looking to develop. Pedal Power is a program of the Renaissance Community Youth Bike
Shop that incorporates science, engineering and technology into a
curriculum focused on youth initiated environmental design and
appropriate technology projects involving bicycles. The program
will engage students to research, design, and construct their own
DIY human-powered inventions. We will work with Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a student group
that works on environmental design and appropriate technology in
international development, to develop our curriculum and instruct
the class. Middle school students will spend the first part of the
course learning about the basics of engineering, construction,
design, energy, and technology. Then students will work in teams to
design, and implement their own "Pedal Powered" invention. After
student teams have constructed their machines, they will have the
opportunity to display and show them off to the community at our
spring event. In the future this program has many options for growth
and development including participating in design contests, and
entering projects into local events. If successful, this program has
the opportunity to expand into new and exciting realms in design and
engineering beyond Pedal Powered projects within the scope of
appropriate technology such as home scale wind power, etc...-- Adam Schwartz, Program Coordinator The Renaissance Youth Bike Shop 6200 Sheridan Street, Riverdale, MD Rideyourbicycle@gmail.com (301) 405-3213
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