Unschooling Resources: Engineering

Websites

Google SketchUp
Google SketchUp (free) is an easy-to-learn 3D modeling program whose few simple tools enable you to create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects – even space ships. You can add details, textures and glass to your models,and design with dimensional accuracy. (Post #797)

IKnowThat.com (Post #13)

Paper Airplane Flight Simulator
Workman, the publisher of Ken Blackburn’s fantastic paper airplane books, features an online Shockwave Paper Airplane Flight Simulator where the player can control for angle, thrust and elevation. You can also download a copy of Ken Blackburn’s world record paper airplane.

Robot Sketcher
Create robot arms and watch how they move.

The Science Explorer
This site features three simple paper aircraft designs for the younger crowd and also offers detailed explanations about why the objects (plane, blimp and helicopter) fly, fall and spin the way they do.