Fluids:
Everyday Examples in Engineering
Lesson Plans
This section contains lesson plans and solutions, most of which have been prepared using the principle of the 5Es: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate (1).
Fluid Kinetics
- Bath Toys, Vacuum Cleaner, Artery Flow
- Forced Air Heater, Hand-Dryer, Cyclist Food Consumption
- Lifting With Balloons, Washing Cups, Umbrellas in the
- Wind
- Liquid Motion Toys
- Mass Flow Meters
- Rampaging Bull, Flock of Sheep, Supersonic Flight,
- Factory Explosion
- SupersoakersTM and Water Guns
- Toy Planes, Car Water Pump, Airplane Propeller Design
Fluid Properties
Demonstrations
This section provides examples of demonstrations—and includes directions for building and using the demonstrations.
Fluid Kinetics
Video Demonstrations of Everyday Examples
Ideas for Lesson Plans
This section lists ideas that could be used to illustrate engineering concepts. Consider these ideas as you create your own lesson plans.
Fluid Kinetics
- Perfume Bottles*
- Bicycling*
- Swimming Bathing Suits/Sharks*
- Swimming, Scuba Diving*
- Frozen Food Thawing*
Fluid Kinematics
- Syringe/Squirt Gun*
- Water Gun*
- Perfume Bottles*
*Source: Ilene Busch-Vishniac, Tom Kibler, Patricia B. Campbell, Eann Patterson, Darrell Guillaume, Jeffrey Jarosz, Constantine Chassapis, Ashley Emery, Glenn Ellis. Horace Whitworth, Susan Metz, Suzanne Brainard & Pradosh Ray
(1) Atkin, J.M. and Karplus, R. (1962). Discovery or Invention? Science Teacher, 29(5):45.