Science & Math: Steampunk is Inventive
Steampunk books and resources provide science and math learning in an engaging way. Students gain an understanding of the science and math behind new inventions and learn that technologies develop over time. Information is provided through text examples and captions as well as pictures and diagrams, to help students process information in different ways. The historical context challenges students to think about how science and technology affects people's lives, and it allows them to draw parallels between technologies of the past and those of present day.
Oceanology - The True Account of the Voyage of the Nautilis by Dugald Steer
Written in the form of a notebook from the perspective of a crewmember of the Nautilis, this book introduces young readers (grades 4-6) about life in and on top of the sea. As it explores diving, plant life, ocean currents, and shipwrecks, it invites readers to fantasize while grounding them in science.
The Victorian Internet: The Remarkable Story of the Telegraph and the Nineteenth Century’s On-Line Pioneers by Tom Standage
This non-fiction text explores the invention and development of the electric telegraph. In addition to the technology behind the invention, the text relays the social and cultural effects of this equipment, sharing stories, for example, of couples who wed over the wires and even criminals who were caught through the technology. With an audience of tenth graders and older, students will most likely benefit from instructor selection of excerpts.
Steampunk Science & Math Teacher Resources and Lesson Plans
Steampunk Machines
DRAW YOUR OWN STEAMPUNK MACHINE: http://www.crabfu.com/steamtoys/diy_steampunk/
1. Review the basic components of a machine powered by steam.
2. To familiarize yourself with the components, label no fewer than five components on a steampunk machine. You may utilize the illustrations on the bottom of the website or a picture in an illustrated book.
3. Brainstorm new machines powered by steam. Will it fly? Will it walk? Will it swim? Let your imagination go wild!
4. Loosely sketch the locomotive aspects of the machine starting with the boiler. Do your best to make your sketch 3D.
5. Add comfort components like seats or doors, additional mechanical components like valves and buttons, and design components like Victorian scroll work.
6. Add color and shading and characters to ride your machine!
1. Review the basic components of a machine powered by steam.
2. To familiarize yourself with the components, label no fewer than five components on a steampunk machine. You may utilize the illustrations on the bottom of the website or a picture in an illustrated book.
3. Brainstorm new machines powered by steam. Will it fly? Will it walk? Will it swim? Let your imagination go wild!
4. Loosely sketch the locomotive aspects of the machine starting with the boiler. Do your best to make your sketch 3D.
5. Add comfort components like seats or doors, additional mechanical components like valves and buttons, and design components like Victorian scroll work.
6. Add color and shading and characters to ride your machine!
Steampunk Computer
LEARN ABOUT A STEAMPUNK COMPUTER: http://www.ted.com/talks/john_graham_cumming_the_greatest_machine_that_never_was.html
John Graham-Cumming talks about the first computer—from the 1830’s! Designed by Charles Babbage, this mechanical computer would have been as big as a steam locomotive, built entirely from gears and cogs. And its first programmer? A woman, Ada Lovelace.
1. Listen to this TED talk and learn about the history of computing as well as Graham-Cumming’s plans to actually build this computer based on the Babbage design.
2. Think about some of the machines and devices you use every day. If it wasn't powered by electricity, what energy sources would it use?
3. How big would your machine or device need to be? Would it take longer to complete its task? Would it require special knowledge to operate it?
John Graham-Cumming talks about the first computer—from the 1830’s! Designed by Charles Babbage, this mechanical computer would have been as big as a steam locomotive, built entirely from gears and cogs. And its first programmer? A woman, Ada Lovelace.
1. Listen to this TED talk and learn about the history of computing as well as Graham-Cumming’s plans to actually build this computer based on the Babbage design.
2. Think about some of the machines and devices you use every day. If it wasn't powered by electricity, what energy sources would it use?
3. How big would your machine or device need to be? Would it take longer to complete its task? Would it require special knowledge to operate it?
Inventors in the steampunk era
LEARN ABOUT AN INVENTOR FROM THE STEAMPUNK ERA: 10 Inventors Who Changed the World by Clive Gifford.
1. Select an inventor who lived during the steampunk era (nineteenth and early twentieth centuries) from these short biographies that offer the look and action of a graphic novel.
2. What invention is the person most known for creating?
3. What mathematic or scientific principles are used in the invention? What type of energy source is required?
4. How did the invention change the world? Do we still use this invention today?
1. Select an inventor who lived during the steampunk era (nineteenth and early twentieth centuries) from these short biographies that offer the look and action of a graphic novel.
2. What invention is the person most known for creating?
3. What mathematic or scientific principles are used in the invention? What type of energy source is required?
4. How did the invention change the world? Do we still use this invention today?
Student Resources
PLAY A STEAMPUNK GAME: http://cool-addicting-math-games.com/game.php?id=1487
Use your knowledge of gravity, speed and weight to remove wooden blocks and land friendly steampunk characters on land while throwing evil red steampunk characters away.
Use your knowledge of gravity, speed and weight to remove wooden blocks and land friendly steampunk characters on land while throwing evil red steampunk characters away.