Kelly Vaughan

"Engineering Excitement" is Vaughan's winning science and engineering classroom program. It will bring together science concepts and skills, teamwork skills, and the engineering design cycle, all while students experience hands-on, relevant science projects. Sixth-grade science students will be presented with short, one to two-day challenges that explore simple machines. Challenges will range from the simple to the more complex. Some of the challenges will include designing roller coasters to investigate friction and gravity; building rubber band racecars and film canister rockets to apply knowledge of energy; and modifying model airplanes to learn about lift and drag. In the final phase, students will choose projects that address real-life problems. They will also participate in teams where they will take on a role of designer, project manager, or experimenter and have the responsibility for managing their time and interpersonal dynamics. Teams will showcase their work and all they learned at an event with their families, teachers, and special guests. Vaughan lives in Brooklyn.