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Library of 3383 accessible STEM media resources.
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Nate Ball uses science to develop mechanical devices that help improve life. Some of his designs push technology to its limits, like his portable, refrigerated vaccine backpack.
(Source: DCMP)
Northwestern University Mechanical Engineering professor Todd Murphey and his team are engineering robots to mimic humans. With support from the National Science Foundation, the team is using algorithms to enhance a robot’s ability to adapt to human behaviors. Part of the "Science Nation" series.
Almost fifty years ago the first industrial robot was "employed" in an automobile assembly plant. Robots are regularly used for hazardous, super-heavy and difficult tasks in manufacturing, agriculture, entertainment, medicine, and space exploration. Welding robots with touch sensing and seam tracking abilities increase assembly plant efficiency, while robotic surgery results in less pain, quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays. NASAs robotic rovers Spirit and Opportunity are mapping the terrain and searching for evidence of water on Mars. Honda Motor Company's humanoid robot, ASIMO, can walk, run, recognize people and identify sounds and voices.
NASA robotics engineer Sandeep Yayathi explains how he designs and builds humanoid robots that can work alongside astronauts. Part of the "Design Squad Nation" series.
Meet three mechanical engineers who are designing the next generation of jet engines at a major U.S. company. They explain how their curiosity about how things work led them to advanced engineering degrees and cool careers with aircraft engines. Part of the "Career Connections" series.
Robotic arms are cool, useful, and fun to make. In this video from "Design Squad Nation," students design and build controllable mechanical arms and use their "robo" arms to lift objects and play a series of games. As they build their mechanical arms, the students use the engineering design process, apply a variety of science concepts, and learn how NASA uses robotic arms in many of its missions. Part of the "Design Squad Nation" series.
Communication between people and cultures initially stemmed from trade and commerce. With Guttenberg's invention of the printing press, information was available to people beyond the elite and wealthy for the first time. Trade drew explorers out into the oceans, and mapmakers outlined their treacherous journeys. These basic maps are what led Columbus to believe he could reach the East by sailing west. Instead he found America, and established trade routes between America and Europe.
Patients who have suffered devastating facial injuries sometimes go to great lengths to hide themselves from public view. At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, civil and mechanical engineer Glaucio Paulino saw the possibilities of combining engineering and medical skills to tackle the complex challenge of facial reconstruction. Part of the National Science Foundation Series “Science Nation.”
Using only gasoline to power cars back in 1905 was cheaper and easier, so the hybrid car was forgotten-until recently. The modern hybrid car has two distinct power sources working together to make it run: gas and electric power. Since the fuel widely used now is a non-renewable resource and becoming increasingly less affordable, the hybrid car is making a comeback. The benefit of the hybrid is that instead of running on gas, it uses non-polluting electric power when possible. Also, it helps cut pollution and saves drivers money at the gas pump.
A shark attack survivor now knows what it feels like to be part bionic man. 23-year-old amputee Craig Hutto has volunteered to help test a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg with powered knee and ankle joints. With support from the National Science Foundation and continued support from the National Institutes of Health, Vanderbilt University mechanical engineer Michael Goldfarb has spent several years developing the leg, which operates with special sensors, an electric motor, a battery, and computer technology. Sensors monitor the user's motion and microprocessors figure out what the person is trying to do. Goldfarb says the powered leg reduces the lag time between a real leg and a prosthetic one. Hutto confirms that the powered prosthetic is much better at anticipating his next move.
Can people in remote rural areas who are far from electric generating plants get power for their lights and appliances? Solar cells make it possible. Mechanical and electrical engineers at the US Department of Energy's Sandia National Laboratories take viewers through the process of designing and installing solar cell panels in remote locations.
As a boy growing up in Brazil 40 years ago, Marc Meyers marveled at the lightweight toughness of toucan beaks that he occasionally found on the forest floor. Now, with support from the National Science Foundation, the materials scientist and mechanical and aerospace engineer at UC San Diego, is conducting the first ever detailed engineering analysis of toucan beaks. He says makers of airplanes and automobiles may benefit from his findings. In fact, panels that mimic toucan beaks may offer better protection to motorists involved in crashes.
Agricultural engineers explain their work and how they use biology and engineering to make farms energy efficient and the food supply safe and plentiful. They describe what drew them to this profession and also discuss their education and career paths.
The engineers at NASA are studying cellphones and computers as a means to create a mini-satellite called a CubeSat. CubeSats are small but highly capable of performing a variety of space missions. Part of the “Crazy Engineering” series.
The journey of NASA's Cassini spacecraft around Saturn is coming to an end. The Cassini mission has been exploring the Saturn system for nearly 13 years and has rewritten the textbooks on the ringed planet and its moons, but the spacecraft is pretty much out of fuel. However, a lot of work from engineers designed the spacecraft and programmed its flight path, and they used astrodynamics to navigate the spacecraft between the rings of the planet. Part of the "Crazy Engineering" series.
See how geckos inspired new NASA technology that makes things stick to each other in space. Potential future applications might be to grab and service satellites or to salvage space garbage. Part of the “Crazy Engineering” series.
NASA engineers are looking for new ways to explore Mars. They are working with a small helicopter that could help scout trails for future explorations into space. Part of the “Crazy Engineering” series.
A main goal of the 2013 Colombian Engineering Meeting was to gather teachers, students, researchers, professional associations, and the private sector to discuss issues related to engineering. This important event showed technological and theoretical advances of the wide world of engineering.
The engineers at NASA are studying two new technologies to help image distant Earth-like planets. Coronagraphs are tiny instruments fitted inside telescopes to block light and help scientists study clues as to whether life is present on a planet. Starshades also block light and produce clearer photographs of distant planets. Both of these technologies are used with telescopes and provide scientists with enhanced photographs of space. Part of the “Crazy Engineering” series.
Figuring ways to clean up contaminated waters is a huge challenge. But luckily, a simple piece of plastic that mimics fish fat can help. Part of the "Science Out Loud" series.
Showing collections 1 to 3 of 3
Collection of anatomy resources
A collection containing 21 resources, curated by Benetech
Resources to teach younger students about animals
A collection containing 58 resources, curated by DIAGRAM Center
Biology related concepts
A collection containing 59 resources, curated by Benetech