Watch a scientist-led video for this activity
Here’s a video to accompany the Science from Scientists Engineering a Rescue Package Take-Home STEM Kit!
Engineering a Rescue Package
Ready to solve a problem like an engineer?
Engineers use science and math to solve problems in ways that help people or make their lives better in some way. Today you get to be an engineer who solves a problem!
Suppose a group of people are stranded by a natural disaster like a fire, flood, or avalanche. They need supplies until a rescue crew can reach them.
How can you drop supplies that don’t break during the fall and are easy to find once they land? To solve this engineering problem, you will test different designs to find one that drops the slowest and then add lights for visibility!
Ready to get started?
Remove all of the contents from your kit and lay them out on your workspace. Your kit should include all of the items shown below.
Follow the instructions on the insert included with your kit to get started, or if you would prefer to follow along with one of our scientist educators, watch a scientist-led video instead.
About Science from Scientists
Science from Scientists (SciSci) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiential learning for 3rd- through 8th-graders, with the goal of measurably improving the attitudes and aptitudes of students in STEM.
We send real, charismatic scientist educators into classrooms during school every other week for half- (8 visits) or full-year programs (16 visits) to guide students through hands-on STEM lessons chosen by teachers to enhance their curricula. Because our program occurs during the school day, we reach every student, not just those already interested in STEM or who are able to access out-of-school programming.
Teachers receive professional development through the modeling of instructional practices for hands-on/minds-on learning by our scientist educators.
We work with and within the existing education system and provide as many students as possible with access to STEM role models at the ages—elementary and middle school—when students typically are deeply engaged in defining who they are and beginning to imagine their future selves.
By inspiring students, building their confidence, igniting their interests, and developing their knowledge and skills, we can change life trajectories, improve lives, and fill the workforce pipeline with talented, competent individuals.
