By Phil Nast, retired middle school teacher and freelance writer

eGFI provides tools for K-12 teachers to enhance student math and science skills and engage student interest with engineering projects. Teachers can subscribe to receive a monthly newsletter with updated features.

Lesson Plans & Activities

Under Lesson Plans are 212 lessons for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The grade categories are loose. Many are keyed to Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Mathematics Standards. Lessons can be keyword searched or browsed by grade level. In Dirty Water Project, students in grades 3-5 investigate different methods for removing pollutants from water, and then design and build their own water filters.

Under Class Activities, are 182 activities. In Asteroid Impact!, students in grades 6-8 learn about an impending asteroid strike, form teams, and study disaster scenarios and potential solutions. This activity is the first part of an eight-part unit.

Outreach Programs

Outreach Programs highlights competitions and after-school and summer programs offered by universities, companies, museums, government agencies, and the military. For example, STEM Social Media Network for Girls links students with graduates in STEM-related fields who can serve as role models and mentors. And the Competitions and Contests offer K-12 students opportunities to compete individually and in teams.

Web Resources lets students explore engineering and technology websites, webcasts, curriculum, fellowships, grants, and the latest research.

Features introduces engineers and educators.