PBS
Blow the Roof Off!
Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics from making...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Failure: Seeds of Innovation
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" Through this assignment, emerging engineers examine how failed experiments are simply part of the process of an outstanding design. They begin with some reading about the microwave oven,...
Curated OER
The DIY: A Hands-On Look at the New Industrial Revolution
Upper graders explore the new industrial revolution and how the tech boom in recent years is similar and different to the Industrial Revolution of the past. They watch a video, explore web sites, and discuss what they see. They work...
Curated OER
Innovation for Good
Many historical innovations were created for the common good. Get your students ready for life as a critical thinker with this activity which defines the differences between innovation and invention. They will conduct Internet research,...
Curated OER
Inventions 2: The Impact
Students explore innovators and inventions. In this technology lesson, students investigate the issues inventors face as they tackle new technology. Students design their own realistic needs-based invention.
Curated OER
Inventions: Third Grade Science
This inventions PowerPoint includes age-appropriate text and information about what an invention is, the planning process for developing inventions, and common factors of successful inventions. Several short biographies with text and...
Curated OER
Concept Structures in Architecture
Students develop a creative building design. In this technology lesson, students create a model of their building using a computer software. They present their final product in class.
Curated OER
Innovation of Our Generation
Students identify the innovations that have impacted their lives. In this inventions lesson students write and present a speech on the greatest innovation of their generation.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Guess What Benjamin Franklin Did!
Students research Ben Franklin's inventions. In this invention instructional activity, students see the relationship between a need and an invention. Students will engage in a class discussion, read a handout, and play a match the...
Curated OER
Case Studies of American Innovation
Studnets discover how the Industrial Revolution came to be in the United States. In this technological advancements lesson, learners research creations by Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers, and Thomas Edison. Students create PowerPoint...
Curated OER
What Is That Thing?
Could your class identify an old-fashioned can opener? What about a rotary phone, or a VCR? Learners take a look at several gadgets and devices to infer the name and purpose of each item.
Curated OER
Early Industrialization
Students explore early industrialization, technology, and invention. In this historical lesson plan, students participate in eleven different activities in order to understand the Industrialization of the United States. Activities...
Curated OER
The Golden Gate Bridge
For this comprehension worksheet, students read and respond to five multiple choice questions about the story. Then they explain in a short answer response why there were people who opposed to the building of the Golden Gate Bridge and why.
Curated OER
Muslim Devotion & Innovation
Students examine the Hajj preformed by the Muslims. They discover the five pillars of Islam and the Koran. They examine the major differences between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Curated OER
Writing Exercise: The Renaissance II
Here is a cross-curricular writing exercise with limited appeal as an engaging or interactive activity. A activity on the Renaissance that has learners responding to 3 simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into deeper research....
Curated OER
Educational Complacency Will Make U.S. Feel the Pain
Twelfth graders examine the educational system in the United States in reference to the job market and available expertise. In this Current Events lesson, 12th graders read an article and discuss their opinions with the class.
Curated OER
My Great-Grandmother's Gourd
Sixth graders read the book My Great-Grandmother's Gourd and answer short answer questions about the change of culture in the book. In this culture lesson plan, 6th graders discover culture diffusion, invention, and innovation.
Curated OER
Should Humans Be Cloned?
Students explore links on the Internet to collect facts about cloning then prepare an essay on their findings. In this research writing lesson students examine how to include their opinions on what they have found in their research.
Curated OER
Get the Picture?
Students explore the movement to design low-cost solutions for the world's population and create a graph to represent the information. For this design and graphing lesson, students review the concepts of graphing and visit the...
Curated OER
Everyday Marvels
Students consider the meaning of innovation and analyze the design of objects. In this object design lesson, students examine revolutionary objects and their design. Students complete discussion activities for objects like Band-Aids,...
Curated OER
Economics Lesson: The Real McCoy
Students research the origination of the expression "The Real McCoy." In this economics research activity, students read the book The Real McCoy. Students examine Elijah McCoy and his invention of the oil cup and how it relates to the...
Curated OER
Internet Inventors Scavenger Hunt
In this inventors scavenger hunt worksheet, students research 10 different significant inventors known to history. First, they read each question to determine which inventor to search for using the Internet. Then, students write a...
Curated OER
Historic Earth Science Innovations
Students research the demands or limitations on Earth scientists. In groups, they design and build a model that would be useful to them in the lab or field. They share their model and their ideas behind it to the class and answer any...
Curated OER
Splendid China
Sixth graders gain an appreciation for the traditions and vast contributions of the Chinese culture in this unit of lessons.