This STEM Day, bring real-time technology into the classroom

Ross Hogben
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) underpins everything from manufacturing to food production to health care. 

Technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing is set to become more integrated into our daily lives, transforming the world at a faster rate than ever before.

In this increasingly information-based, highly technical society, developing STEM capabilities will set students up for success. The ability to understand and apply data—and develop solutions to complex problems—will be important life skills.
 

Every year on November 8, schools around the country celebrate STEM Day to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Educators and institutions run programs that find fun and engaging ways to teach these subjects to students.

To play our part for STEM Day, we’re highlighting some of the learning resources we have available to help students learn real-time skills. Teachers can get involved by using the free Unreal Engine and Twinmotion lesson plans below in their classrooms.

Those completely new to the toolsets should first check out our courses Your First Hour with Unreal Engine and Introduction to Twinmotion.
 

Science lesson plans

Create a Rube Goldberg Machine in Fortnite Creative

Named after cartoonist Rube Goldberg, a Rube Goldberg machine is a contraption purposely built to perform a simple task in an indirect and overly complicated way. 

In this activity, students will create their own Rube Goldberg Machine in Fortnite Creative, learning about simple machines, engineering, and automation as they progress. 

They’ll learn how to apply the Design Thinking Model to create a complex solution to a simple problem, developing and testing hypotheses while engaging in the iterative design process as they build a functioning machine.
Theme Park of the Future

Roller coasters have been helping thrillseekers to defy the laws of physics for hundreds of years. In this activity, students will get to grips with those laws to build theme park rides in Fortnite Creative.

After exploring concepts including gravity, momentum, kinetic energy, and force, students will be able to describe how their rides show examples of these effects.

Technology lesson plans

Build a virtual history museum in Unreal Engine

History is more exciting when you’re fully immersed in it. In this lesson, students will build a  virtual history museum full of exhibits that showcase their knowledge of historical events.

Using the tools in Unreal Engine, they’ll create a playable character that can navigate through a virtual environment populated with museum artifacts including posters, objects, and props.

Engineering lesson plans

Conditional Statements: Using the Lock and Key in Fortnite Creative

In this activity, students will use Fortnite Creative to get to grips with fundamental computer programming concepts.

They’ll create a lock-and-key game mechanic, where the player has to find a key to unlock a door that allows the player to advance in the game, exploring key principles of programming such as conditional statements in the process.

Art lesson plans

Create a sustainable park in Twinmotion

Parks come in all shapes and sizes, whether they’re a small neighborhood enclaves or vast green spaces. In this lesson, students will learn how to design their own park using Twinmotion. 

Along the way, they’ll get a lesson in sustainability and how a green ethos can enhance a community's quality of life.  By the end, students will understand how to use Twinmotion to build scenes, import objects, and create environmental effects using built-in tools and assets.
 

Math lesson plans

Think Before You Spend!

This practical lesson will teach students a valuable life skill—financial management—alongside mathematical principles. 

Using Fortnite Creative, students are challenged to make a fun and engaging game for their classmates, but on a set budget they can’t go over. Intelligent decisions about resources, structures, and game elements will all play a part in their success.

    DEVELOP REAL-TIME SKILLS TODAY!

    Interactive 3D is set to transform the careers of the future. Explore the technology behind the change—download Unreal Engine for free, and get an unlimited free trial of Twinmotion!