Junior oceanographers and underwater geologists describe the four major steps of mass spectrometry. They compete in small groups to simulate the tracking of a deepwater methane plume using imaginary autonomous underwater vehicles. Give...

What is water worth to you? The answer probably depends on many different variables. Learners explore the value of water in space and what it takes to transport the resource to locations in a galaxy far far away. They then consider...

How many simple machines does it take to make a robotic arm? An inquiry-based lesson explores that topic and challenges pupils to build a robotic arm that can stretch, turn, and more. A few questions help guide them in the...

Investigate deep sea discovery through the emerging technology being built.  In this physical science lesson, students analyze the different types of motion available in the human arm.  Students research educational websites...

Experienced chemistry technicians use then layer chromatography to discover how much of a free compound is left after each rinse cycle. Where this could obviously be used as a practice with chromatography technique, it can also be used...

Students participate in an experiment to understand how robotic systems can estimate distances.  In this robotic ranger lesson, students measure the the time it takes for and object to move back and forth.  Students will use a...

Learners compare acceleration to displacement through an interactive tutorial that permits them to adjust the running strategy of two robots and watch them race. A graph displays the robot's velocity over time and another shows their...

Students investigate space travel. In this space travel lesson students examine space exploration history, engineers and scientists involved in space exploration, and Newton's third law of motion. Students make rockets.

Young scholars explore how scientists build robotic arms that move similar to humans. In this robot lesson, students examine how scientists make robots. Young scholars design and construct a mechanical arm that moves like a human arm....

Young scholars investigate how adding more pulleys affect the pulling power. In this physics lesson, students explain how pulleys work. They compare the work done by robots with and without pulleys.

Take your science class on a hypothetical field trip to Mars with an engaging astronomy lesson. After first learning about NASA's Mars rover missions, young scientists plan their own scientific investigations of Earth's...

Students study robots and define what makes something a robot.  In this robot lesson students identify several different robots and the tasks that they do.

Future engineers create robotic arms like those on rovers built by NASA in the second lesson of the series. They test their devices by attempting to pick up and move cups to a specified location.

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...

Students design a robot that can turn 90 degrees. In this robotics lesson, students explain the applications of their invention. They present their design in class.

Students explore robotics. They design and draw a robot to fit a specified function. Students examine motor functions necessary for the robot to perform. They discuss types of sensors available to assist in the building of a robot.

Students create balloon and rubber band models of robotic rovers to investigate the concepts of mass, torque, and friction. Through research and planning, students construct a rover test-bed that simulates the Martian environment.

Young scholars compare and contrast the characteristics of robots and cells. In this biology lesson, students examine the parts and function of cell organelles. They create a visual representation of their cell/robot analogy.

Ninth graders create a large scale model of a eukaryotic cell. In this biology lesson, 9th graders identify the different parts and function of the cells by using a robot to navigate through the cell models. They create a video tutorial...

Young scholars study robotic spacecrafts that have provided detailed information about the inner and outer planets. In this exploring the planets lesson plan, students use posters and diagrams to study the various robotic spacecraft sent...

Students identify and label the different parts of a robot, rover, or a spacecraft. They discuss and record all of the features their robot will need to accomplish its mission and be able to explain why they chose these features to...

Students identify the challenges encountered by astronauts in operating a planetary rover. In this space science lesson, students create a rover using their team members. They follow a command sequence from the driver and navigate...

Fourth graders review the parts of the plant and their functions.  In this plant instructional activity, 4th graders recognize that plants must transfer energy to make food.  Students understand the interdependence of organisms...

Students discover the components of a satellite using analogies to humans in a class discussion and participate in an activity in which they construct a paper model of a satellites and experiment with different types of attitude control...