Teaching And Learning Resources

Resources for Educators

  • Fluid Power Pathways Study – Research study conducted by CCEFP to determine how and why students enter the fluid power industry and how CCEFP may impact this trend through undergraduate and graduate courses and curriculum. Survey submissions are by invitation only.
  • TeachEngineering – Teaching Resources for K-12. For your use, curriculum modules designed out of the CCEFP’s Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program.
    • Hybrid Vehicle Design Challenge – Joel Daniels, Vanderbilt, CCEFP RET
    • Fun with Air-Powered Pneumatics – Jacob Givand, Jeffrey Schreifels, and Melissa Schreifels, Minnesota, CCEFP RET
    • Fluid Power Basics – Brian Bettag, Purdue, CCEFP RET
  • Teaching with Fluid Power — Ideas for including fluid power in your middle and high school curriculum. A 25-minute video in three segments:
    • Teaching with Fluid Power: Part 1
    • Teaching with Fluid Power: Part 2
    • Teaching with Fluid Power: Part 3
  • Portable Fluid Power Demonstrator: The demonstrator (PFPD) and associated curriculum are designed to give middle and high school students and teachers an opportunity to investigate and expand their knowledge regarding fluid power.
  • Pneumatics Demonstrator Kit: The hands-on pneumatic kit and associated exercises are a low-cost way to provide fluid power education to middle and high school students. The link includes a parts list with sources.
  • Fluid Power Demonstration Kits designed by the Science of Museum of Minnesota’s Youth Science Team. These kits are designed as low-cost, inexpensive ways to demonstrate hydraulic and pneumatic technology as well as the science and engineering principles associated with fluid power.
    • Air Cannon Instructions and Air Cannon Inquiry Questions and Vocabulary
    • Fluid Theater Instructions and Fluid Theater Inquiry Questions and Vocabulary
    • Fluid Toys Instructions and Fluid Toys Inquiry Questions and Vocabulary
    • Hovercraft Instructions and Hovercraft Inquiry Questions and Vocabulary
    • Wind Turbine Instructions and Wind Turbine Inquiry Questions and Vocabulary
    • Straw Rockets Instructions and Straw Rockets Inquiry Questions and Vocabulary
    • Sand and Water Clocks Instructions and Sand and Water Clocks Inquiry Questions and Vocabulary
    • Wind Tube Instructions and Wind Tube Inquiry Questions and Vocabulary
    • Sailboat Instructions and Sailboat Inquiry Questions and Vocabulary
  • Fluid Power Challenge Competition (sponsored by NFPA) is a competition that challenges eighth grade students to solve an engineering problem using fluid power. They work in teams to design and build a fluid power mechanism, and then compete against other teams in a timed competition. NFPA: National Fluid Power Association.

Supply Sources for Hands-on Learning Activities in Fluid Power:

  • Syringe Robotics: Plastic syringes and slip-on tubing can be used for pneumatic and water-hydraulics fluid power. Obtain a collection from a local science lab or hospital, or obtain syringes, tubing and fittings from Pitsco.com or similar sources.
  • Low cost hydraulic jacks can be obtained from most auto parts stores, or from Northern Tool and Equipment (for example, model T90203 and T82360
  • TeacherGeek: A website for classroom equipment and supplies.
    • TeacherGeek: Hydraulic arm kit.
    • TeacherGeek: Project Lead the Way hydraulic and pneumatic classroom equipment and kits for Principles of Engineering.

Additional teaching and learning resources for Students and general audiences.