The following are units designed for STEM After-school programs. (The links provided below will take you to the unit webpages on Baylor’s BioEd Online website.)
Force, Motion, Friction and Energy
Grades 6–8: Each hands-on activity in this guide uses the 2016 Hess Toy Truck and Dragster to explore friction, average speed, center of mass, scaling of designs, relationship between truck weight and towing distance, effects of road surface and incline, and more.
On the Road with Vehicle Performance
Grades 6–8: Each STEM-based activity uses the 2018 Hess Toy Truck RV with ATV and Motorbike to investigate distance vs. time restrictions, energy efficiency vs. mass, angles and slopes, vehicle stability, custom design of interior spaces, planning of an internet-based ad campaign, and more.
Simple and Compound Machines
Grades 6–8: Each inquiry-based activity in this guide uses the 2017 Hess Dump Truck and Loader to explore simple and compound machines, lifting forces, traction and center of gravity, degrees of freedom, bridges, and more.
Super STEM Sleuths 1
Grades 3–5: In Super STEM Sleuths 1, students model the spread of germs, are introduced to the topic of infectious diseases and investigate the cholera epidemic of 1854.
Super STEM Sleuths 2
Grades 3–5: Super STEM Sleuths 2 students explore microscopes, and plant cells and fungi, extract DNA from strawberries and work on infectious disease case studies.
Think Like an Astronaut
Grades 6–8: Students are introduced to the challenges of space travel with lessons covering the Earth, solar system, microgravity and living in microgravity.
Think Like a Microbiologist
Grades 6–8: Students compare microbes to learn about their characteristics and roles in life, and investigate magnification tools.
