PBS
Scale City — Inverse Proportions and Shadows in the Real World
Bring the resource out from the shadows. Viewers of a short video learn about drive-in theaters and how operators project images onto a large screen. They then perform an experiment to determine the relationship between the distance of...
New York City Department of Education
Dance and Text
Use texts and dances to teach inequalities and equations. A sixth-grade unit covers using variables in equations and inequalities to solve problems. Learners show what they know at the end of the unit using two performance tasks, one...
Teach Engineering
Better By Design
Which modification is the best? Using the scientific method, pairs determine the effects of each control surface on the distance of a glider's flight. The activity, section 16 in a 22-part unit on aviation, allows pupils to gain a better...
Center of Excellence for Science and Mathematics Education
A Sick Astronaut
Aspiring astronauts graph, interpret, and analyze data. They investigate the relationship between two variables in a problem situation. Using both graphic and symbolic representations they will grasp the concept of line of best fit to...
Creative Learning Exchange
Lesson Plans From The Lorax
When it comes to the environment, no variable is constant. Class members graph behavior over time for the thneeds produced over truffula trees chopped down over the course of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax.
Noyce Foundation
Truffles
Knowing how to scale a recipe is an important skill. Young mathematicians determine the amount of ingredients they need to make a certain number of truffles when given a recipe. They determine a relationship between ingredients given a...
Curated OER
Using the Balance
Students determine the mass of various objects. In this integrated math and science lesson, students use an arm balance to compare a known object to a combination of washers with a fixed weight. Students record data, construct a bar...
Curated OER
TIMS, The Bouncing Ball: Math, Science, Measurement, Graphs, Variables
Learners determine the exact relationship between the height from which a ball is dropped and the distance that it rebounds.
Curated OER
Studying Birds in the Field
This is a well-designed science activity which helps students learn the behavior of different species of birds. Working with partners and in small team, students learn to scientifically observe birds.
Education Development Center
Language of Algebra
Don't rush into algebra, let learners visualize, guess, and predict their way to a successful math career. The introductory unit incorporates beginner algebraic concepts with shapes instead of variables. Young mathematicians use a...
Teach Engineering
The Fibonacci Sequence and Robots
What better way to introduce the idea of a sequence than with robots! An educational lesson explains the classic Fibonacci sequence before pupils build and program a robot to move. Additionally, the lesson challenges individuals to...
Curated OER
Math Club Warm Up #29b
In this logic activity, 6th graders solve 1 problem with variables requiring logic and problem solving; there are 4 sheets on a page.
Curated OER
Functions in Motion
Students graph polynomials functions and analyze the end behavior. In this algebra lesson, student differentiate between the different polynomials based on the exponents. They use a TI to help with the graphing.
Curated OER
Wave Math
Students identify the different factors affecting the size and shape of ocean waves. In this math instructional activity, students calculate wave speed and wavelength given a mathematical formula.
Curated OER
Whirligig Lollapalooza
Using a cut-out template of a whirligig, emerging engineers experiment with flight behavior. After you teach them the concepts of force, air resistance, and lift, they discuss what variables on the whirligigs might be changed in order to...
Achieve
BMI Calculations
Obesity is a worldwide concern. Using survey results, learners compare local BMI statistics to celebrity BMI statistics. Scholars create box plots of the data, make observations about the shape and spread of the data, and examine the...
Curated OER
Lego Robotics: Measuring Speed
Students build and program a LEGO robotic car as well as measure and graph its speed. They acquire familiarity with principles of construction, motion, design and problem solving. They compare a robot's speed over two different surfaces...
Curated OER
Filling the Glass (Water, Air, and Fractions)
Students predict which of two glasses is 1/2 full using visual estimation, height measurement, and liquid measurement methods. Mathematical equations to accurately solve the problem are determined and verified.
Curated OER
Which Tape is Stickiest?
Young scholars conduct an experiment to determine which style of tape will stick the best. In this controlled experiment lesson plan, students predict which tape will stick best to a marble that rolls over it, then they conduct the...
National Security Agency
Equations and Expressions
Learners demonstrate their knowledge pictorially, concretely, and abstractly in this unit meant to last three hours over three days. Using hands-on activities, manipulatives, real-world applications, and problem solving, learners write...
Teach Engineering
Balsa Glider Competition
Change one variable and try again. Teams build basic balsa gliders and collect data on their flight distances and times. Through collaboration, the team decides on two modifications to make to the basic design and collect data for the...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Human Slope
Middle and high schoolers explore the concept of slope. In this slope lesson, learners graph lines using a life-size graph. They use chalk on a blacktop to create a coordinate plane and use each other as the tick marks on the grid....
Curated OER
Altering a Plant Environment
Learners investigate what a controlled group is by creating an experiment. In this plant growth lesson, students identify the different parts of a plant and discuss what is needed for a plant to be successfully grown. Learners grow a...
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Pick-up
Students investigate electromagnetic energy. In this magnetism lesson, students will create an electromagnet and test changes with increased energy. They will compete by building the strongest electromagnet.