Virginia Middle School Engineering Education Initiative
Save the Penguins: An Introduction to Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Heat things up in your physical science class with this interactive lesson series on thermodynamics. Through a series of class demonstrations and experiments, young scientists learn how heat is transferred through conduction,...
Curated OER
Nutrition: A Thematic Unit
Young learners explore nutrition and the food groups in these two mini-lesson plan ideas. First, kindergarteners have a discussion about their health and how different foods contribute to it before making their own personal food pyramid....
Curated OER
The Physics of Flight
Three activities allow young flight engineers to understand the 4 principles of flight (weight, lift, thrust, and drag), to construct a glider, and to create a propeller. Multicultural history and literature are integrated by reading...
Big Learning
The Antarctica Project: A Middle School Mathematics Unit
Antarctica is a big place, large enough to provide ample opportunities to learn about math. A two-week unit teaches middle school mathematics concepts using project-based learning. The resource covers functions, geometry (area,...
Purdue University
Design of a Door Alarm
How does electricity work? Budding scientists explore the concepts of electrical currents and open and closed circuits with class discussion and a hands-on activity using a battery to turn on a light bulb. Learners also make predictions...
Curated OER
Measuring Using Leaves
Students explore geometry by using non-standard measuring methods. For this length estimation lesson, students complete a worksheet in which different objects in their classroom are measured by three different sized leaves. Students draw...
Curated OER
Teaching the Scientific Method Using Adhesives
Students research on the history of adhesives. In this science lesson, students select one test to use in finding the stickiness of adhesives. They collect data and formulate a conclusion.
Curated OER
Summer Activities: The Wonders of Nature!
Students examine the world of nature. In this early childhood lesson plan, students develop observation skills as they bird-watch and make rainbows, experimentation skills as they explore seeds and carrots, prediction skills as they...
Curated OER
Keeping Warm
Learners experiment with thermal insulators. For this heat transfer lesson, students predict and then measure heat loss from a cup of water using different materials as insulators. Learners complete a line graph to display their results.
Curated OER
What Does the Sun Give Us?
Pupils study the sun and how solar energy works. To learn about renewable energy, they complete a lab activity using a pizza box as a solar heater. Quite clever!
Curated OER
Who Has Seen the Wind?
Students investigate the characteristics of wind. In this weather lesson, students use poetry and van Gogh's paintings to discuss the movement of wind. Students are introduced to the Beaufort Scale and use the tool to measure the wind...
Curated OER
Operation Weather Station
Students work in cooperative groups to create a working weather station. Tkey use the weather station to collect weather data over a one-week period. Students compare the data from their weather station to actual weather information...
Curated OER
Informed Drawing Through Observation
Students practice observation techniques to improve their drawing skills. In this drawing technique lesson, students assess drawing as an art media and discuss realism. Students view examples of animal drawings and practice drawing using...
Curated OER
Adolescent Obesity and Susceptibility to Disease
Students understand the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and good health. In this health instructional activity students read text then create their own pamphlet on the cardiovascular system, weight gain, treatments and...
Curated OER
The Mathematics of Convection: Nature's Model for Energy Production
High schoolers conduct a series of experiments to investigate density, buoyancy and climate. In this math lesson plan, pupils design and build a hot air balloon to demonstrate convection. They research and write a paper about solar...
Curated OER
The Day an Egg Solved the Mystery of the Cell
Young scholars conduct an experiment comparing human cells to chicken cells. In this cells lesson plan, students conduct an experiment to see how nutrition moves through cells and how to better take care of their bodies.
Curated OER
Cross Country Adventure
Students practice measurement and geography in this lesson. They build a Lego vehicle using an RCX. They predict how many seconds it will take their vehicle to reach a specific state on the United States of America map that each group of...
Curated OER
Machines: Designing Form and Function
Students design a boat model with simplified steam engine. For this ecology lesson, students compare renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. They determine the efficiency of their boat model.
Curated OER
Explore More About Bottle Construction
Students explore Green Construction. For this lesson based on the experiences of Peace Corps volunteers, students gain insight into alternative construction in Guatemala. They examine the pros and cons of using alternative building...
Curated OER
Valentine's Day Recipes
Students create a recipe using traditional Valentine's Day treats. In this recipe lesson, students brainstorm about Valentine's Day treats and choose one or two to create the recipe. Students list measurements and ingredients. Students...
Curated OER
Oceans
Students become aware of the differences between ocean water and lake water by smelling, tasting and seeing. They distinguish between land and bodies of water on a globe and gain increased awareness of oceans and life.
Curated OER
MuscleMania
Middle schoolers learn three different types of muscles. By building a model of the arm, they learn its basic anatomy and how muscles function in relationship to bones. They perform an experiment on the relationship between muscle size...
Curated OER
The Expanding Universe
Students explore the expanding universe. In this science lesson plan, students use balloons to model the expansion of the universe. Students take measurements of the balloon expansion and answer questions directed to develop...
Curated OER
What is the Function of Each Seed Part in the Growth of a Plant
Sixth graders investigate the parts of a seed by using a digital camera. In this botany lesson, 6th graders plant their own seeds in class and demonstrate the necessary attributes for growing a plant. Students utilize a...