Shelter has been a concern of humans and animals alike for the millennia. Animals, through their natural instincts, build nests and shelters to meet their needs for protection against predators and seasonal changes in the weather. Early humans sought shelter in caves and cliff dwellings and later began to design and build shelters based on the…

Children are naturally fascinated by mechanical things, and simple machines can be used to teach them how things work and how complex machines are made up of simple ones. (SK)

The author discusses the manufactured housing industry as an example of technology's affect on the job market. Information provided includes (1) historical background, (2) the concept, (3) types of manufactured housing, (4) the industry today, (5) constructional activity, and (6) using math and science in the industry. (CH)

Presents learning activities for occupations in construction technology, designing a beam, and simple machines. (JOW)

Describes how 900 elementary students planned, designed, and constructed Technotown out of 1 million LEGO pieces. Presents a learning activity (objectives, materials, challenge, evaluation, and closing thoughts) on the building of a subway system for Technotown. (SK)

Presents learning activities such as planning and building a sailboat, manufacturing cellular phone cases, and designing and building emergency shelters. Includes the context, the challenge, resources used, objectives, materials needed, and an evaluation. (JOW)

Describes Brigham Young University's technology teacher education program, detailing learning activities in the four clusters (communications, manufacturing, construction, transportation/power). Provides diagrams of the communication/power/energy lab and the advanced technology lab. (SK)

The author demonstrates that the interface between technology education and mathematics and science may be achieved through five different approaches: an innovation study approach, a systems study approach, a process study approach, a construction study approach, and a research and experimentation approach. (CT)

In the world of project execution, "design/build" is the convention. With its emphasis on the benefits of early involvement (integration of design, engineering execution, design-build, procurement, and construction decisions), it has become the dominant mode (Rothman, 2004). In this project, students explore the design/build principle of…

Explains how to use the AppleWorks spreadsheet application for estimating labor, time, and materials costs in the construction industry. (SK)

Presents a discussion of communication satellites: explains the principles of satellite communication, describes examples of how governments and industries are currently applying communication satellites, analyzes issues confronting satellite communication, links mathematics and science to the study of satellite communication, and applies…

The objectives of this construction activity are to develop user-friendly instructional modules that apply concepts of mathematics, science, and technology to solve energy problems; develop an exchange between faculty of technology teacher education and manufacturing technology programs; and serve as a pilot for the development of future modules.…

Bridge construction is a popular classroom activity. However, the basic principles of tension, compression, and counterbalance are not always clearly represented and defined. The common materials used to construct model bridges, such as straws, toothpicks, Legos[TM], and building blocks, are often too flexible or stationary to demonstrate the…