This paper reports on the results of several geotechnical engineering-related science activities conducted with elementary-school students. Activities presented include soil permeability, contact stress, soil stratigraphy, shallow and deep foundations, and erosion in rivers. The permeability activity employed the LEGO NXT platform for data acquisition, the soil profile and foundations activity employed natural and transparent soils as well as LEGO-based foundation models, and the erosion activity utilised a 3D printer to assist with construction of building models. The activities seek to enhance students’ academic achievement, excite them about geotechnical engineering, and motivate them to study science and math. Pre- and post-activity evaluations were conducted to assess both the suitability of the activities and the students’ learning. Initial results show that students gain a reasonable understanding of engineering principles. Moreover, the geotechnical engineering activities provided students an opportunity to apply their math skills and science knowledge.
Article
Geotechnical engineering in US elementary schools
European Journal of Engineering
Document Type
Article
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Online
Publication Date
6-10-2013
Abstract
Citation Information
Suescun-Florez, E., Iskander, M., Kapila, V., & Cain, R. (2013). Geotechnical engineering in US elementary schools. European Journal of Engineering Education, 38(3), 300-315.