Inquiry Zone Institute of Engineering Dear Crossroads students, Humans are the only animals that invent and make machines. The machines we make are used to build skyscrapers, launch astronauts to space, lift heavy loads, and move things faster than the speed of sound. The scientists that build machines are called engineers. They do tests and experiments to invent new machins and make old ones work better. Without engineers we wouldn't have such things as pencil sharpeners, clocks, tools, engines, or space shuttles. In the Inquiry Zone, you will have the chance to be engineers, try your hand at existing machines, build bridges and towers, take apart a small engine, and engineer marble runs. I hope you find your work satisfying. Sincerely, Dr. Lindquist Visit the Inquiry Zone Online to gain background information, conduct research, and expand your understanding of engineering. Let me know what else you would like to see here.  Discover Engineering   An amazing amount of information and links to more.  How Everyday Things are Made   Excellent video of the engineering behind the making of everyday things. Click on the link "How Everyday Things are Made" to get into the good stuff.  Strange Matter   Follow this animated site into an exploration of the engineering behind materials science. Way cool stuff.  How Stuff Works   Find out how stuff works by exploring this cool site.  National Engineers Week   National Engineers isn't until February, 2006, but this site has some interesting support for learning about engineering. Catapults Catapults are examples of engineering dating back to the Middle Ages (1400 AD). Tower Building How tall a tower can you build using simple materials? Try your hand at this feat of engineering in the Inquiry Zone Institute of Engineering. Windmills Windmills Building Bridges One of the challenges engineers face is building bridges that can hold up to earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. Small Engine Mechanics Many machines are powered by a small gas engine like the one being taken part in the Inquiry Zone. Engineers developed the technology to use the controlled explosion created by the firing of a small amount of gasoline to power machines. Balls on the Rebound Visit the On the Rebound Drop Chamber Investigate to find out why balls bounce. What influences how well they bounce. I can see balls bounce, but why do they? What causes them to do so? How high do they bounce? Conduct your experiments in the Drop Chamber. Explore this web resource as you seek the answers to these questions and more. Inventions and Ideas How creative are you?