PBS
The History and Use of Sampling Methods
Young mathematicians define population, draw convenience sample from the population, draw quota sample from the population, and draw random probability sample from the population. They explain why a random probability sample usually...
Curated OER
Map that Habitat
Young scholars participate in an activity that replicates the creation of sea floor bathymetry by taking a simplified form of soundings in the classroom. They discuss sea floor mapping technologies, sonar, soundings, and remote sensing,...
Teach Engineering
What a Drag!
Stop and drop what is in your hand! Pupils investigate how form effects drag in the 12th part of a 22-part unit on aviation. Groups create equally weighted objects and determine which one falls the fastest by collecting data.
Teach Engineering
Efficiency of an Electromechanical System
How efficient is a motor in a LEGO set? Future engineers conduct an activity where a LEGO motor-generator system raises an object to a specified height. They then show what they learned and use their measurements to calculate the energy...
Teach Engineering
Breaking the Mold
A little too much strain could cause a lot of stress. Groups conduct a strength test on clay. Using books as weights, pupils measure the compression of clay columns and calculate the associated strain and stress. Teams record their...
Curated OER
Moon Mining
Go on a moon mining expedition from the safety of your classroom with this space exploration simulation. Using simple models of the moon's surface prepared ahead of time by the teacher, young scientists are challenged with locating and...
Curated OER
My Angle on Cooling
Students explore how the angle and distance of an object can change it's temperature. After reviewing how the position of the Earth affects the temperature of the planet, student groups design and perform an experiment to test how...
Teach Engineering
Glue Sticks Bend and Twist
Stick this resource in the "Use" column. In the second installment of a six-part series, learners use glue sticks to demonstrate forces. Using glue sticks, instructors can demonstrate tension, compression, and torsion.
Curated OER
Cookie Mining
Students simulate coal mining with chocolate chip cookies and toothpicks. They investigate the costs associated with mining coal.
Lee & Low Books
Classroom Guide for Sacred Mountain: Everest
The most famous climbers of Mount Everest could never have made it to the summit without the assistance of the local Sherpa. Christine Taylor-Butler's nonfiction children's book Sacred Mountain: Everest is the focus of an extensive...
Curated OER
Active Learning
Students practice using measurements and bar graphs to solve a running problem in this active Math lesson plan for various age levels. The lesson plan meets state standards in Mathematics and requires the use of "math journals" for...
Curated OER
Gridding a 2 x 2 Meter Unit
Students use the internet to examine what happens at an archeological dig site. In groups, they practice measuring a 2x2 meter square unit and gridding it out as an archeologist would do. They review the possible solutions at the end of...
Curated OER
Let's Graph It!
Learners graph the height of others in centimeters and inches, find the slope of line in order to calculate the conversion factor between centimeters and inches.
Curated OER
Tour De Texas
Middle schoolers are given a budget and an alternative-fuel vehicle. Using a map of Texas, they are given a starting point and determine how to arrive at their destination within 72 hours. They use the internet to research the...
Curated OER
Rocks, Their Mass and Volume
Students measure volume using water displacement and mass using a balance. Once they have calculated these two values they will then calculate density while at the same time working on long division. After the activity and explanation of...
Curated OER
Perimeter and Area
Sixth graders explore the relationship between area and perimeter of rectangles. In this area and perimeter lesson, 6th graders measure and determine perimeter and area of various rectangles. Students create rectangles with given areas...
Curated OER
Who Has the Biggest Mouth?
Students divide into groups of three or four, elect in their group who they think has the biggest mouth. This question will be followed by Mrs. Peters' joke about big mouths and frogs. Students then be asked how they could prove to the...
Curated OER
How Low Can You Go?
Learners are introduced to the concepts of elevation and slopes. Using Minneapolis and St. Paul, they graph elevation of various cities in a scenerio given to them. They also calculate the total miles traveled and organize the...
Curated OER
I Wonder How Fast Manduca Grows Compared To Me
Students study the Manduca bug and its growth data. They look for patterns and compare their own growth rate to that of the Manduca.
Curated OER
Estimating Distances
Students investigate distance measurement. In this middle school mathematics instructional activity, students find the average length of their pace and use their pace to measure various unknown distances in feet and miles. ...
Curated OER
Polygon Perimeters
Young scholars complete worksheets where they calculate the perimeter of polygons. In this perimeter of polygons lesson plan, students divide complex shapes into simple shapes to find the perimeter.
Curated OER
Cold Hard Facts? What Inquiring Minds Will Know -- Inquiry-Based Ice Investigations
Young scholars are introduced to the concepts of perimter, diameter, circumference and measurements. In groups, they complete two worksheets in which they determine if the ice dimensions make a difference in the way it floats. They...
Curated OER
Surface Area of Rectagular Prisms
Sixth graders investigate the area of polygons. In this geometry lesson, 6th graders calculate area of prisms using geometric formulas. They work with prisms and other rectangular shapes.
Curated OER
Elapsed Time and Scheduling
Students improve their time management by watching a video segment of a busy student making a schedule. In this elapsed time and scheduling lesson, students create their own schedules and learn to calculate elapsed time in both digital...