Do-It-Yourself Engineering

Following the seven steps in the engineering design process to create a golf ball launcher; applying the principle of conservation of energy to select the right steel spring for the job; the joys of do-it-yourself projects; the insights they provide.

Using cardboard to build a tower capable of supporting two loads, this exercise closely replicates problems faced by real-world skyscraper designers, using vector math to analyze the forces exerted on each structural element of the building.

Conducting compressive and tensile strength experiments to determine the size and shape of the structure's beams, columns and braces; building the tower using ordinary wood glue and simple tools after designing it; piling on concrete blocks.

Design and build an 8-foot beam bridge. First, consider three different concepts. Then, develop these designs, analyzing their stresses and failure modes before selecting the optimum and building it.

Building a suspension bridge; supporting the deck with suspension cables draped between two towers; analyzing the flow of forces through the structural system before designing each element; planning the project with a 3-D computer model.

A concrete boat can be made to float; creating a concrete sailboat that can operate safely in 10-mph winds; hydrostatics comes into play in designing a hull with sufficient buoyancy; aerodynamics enters the picture in designing an effective sail.

Build your concrete sailboat. Then apply basic aerodynamics and vector mechanics to determine how the wind propels a sailboat. Try out various points of sail.

Discover 17 thrilling engineering projects that you can build at home - from a suspension bridge to a low-altitude sounding rocket. As you build, you'll learn how to think like an engineer.

Discover 17 thrilling engineering projects that you can build at home - from a suspension bridge to a low-altitude sounding rocket. As you build, you'll learn how to think like an engineer.

Dig deeper into aerodynamics. Choose an airfoil shape and wingspan, fuselage length, and stabilizer dimensions for your plane. Pay special attention to stability. Then, build the airframe.

Complete your plane by assembling a motor. Design and install an efficient propeller. Learn how to balance your aircraft, adjust its flight characteristics, and fine-tune the plane's performance.

Discover 17 thrilling engineering projects that you can build at home - from a suspension bridge to a low-altitude sounding rocket. As you build, you'll learn how to think like an engineer.

Tackle the problem of designing a model rocket that carries a video camera to 500 feet, then returns safely by parachute. In this lesson, focus on selecting an off-the-shelf model rocket engine.

Putting together the model rocket; paying attention to the engine mount and fins; giving the completed vehicle a drag-reducing finish; applying aerodynamics to calculate the parachute's required diameter; checking the rocket's stability.

Discover 17 thrilling engineering projects that you can build at home - from a suspension bridge to a low-altitude sounding rocket. As you build, you'll learn how to think like an engineer.

Discover 17 thrilling engineering projects that you can build at home - from a suspension bridge to a low-altitude sounding rocket. As you build, you'll learn how to think like an engineer.

Delving into the history of catapults; examining the workings of the ballista, onager and trebuchet; getting started on a model ballista; analyzing the machine's nylon torsion springs to ensure that they can achieve the required 200-foot range.

Building a model ballista; constructing the onager and the trebuchet, designed such that they store the same amount of energy; field-testing all three models to determine which throws a golf ball farthest; seeing which weapon wins the contest.

Harnessing the power of moving water by building an impulse turbine; using Bernoulli's equation to determine the water reservoir's required height; plotting power versus load to determine the turbine's diameter; building the turbine.

Discover 17 thrilling engineering projects that you can build at home - from a suspension bridge to a low-altitude sounding rocket. As you build, you'll learn how to think like an engineer.

Discover 17 thrilling engineering projects that you can build at home - from a suspension bridge to a low-altitude sounding rocket. As you build, you'll learn how to think like an engineer.

Testing the limits of hobby motors by building a motor-driven crane; constructing the world's simplest electric motor to see how they work; calculating the torque requirements for a crane; adding gears and pulleys to achieve mechanical advantage.

Building a tribute to cartoonist Rube Goldberg, known for his machine sketches; combining twenty design elements to create a machine that will click a computer mouse; Professor Ressler offers a solution that produces a surprising outcome.