Students identify and solve problems as they modify the design of an everyday household item. They gather and analyze information and work in collaborative teams to create a design plan for a new product.

Students conduct research and develop a matrix demonstrating the introduction and spread of common household items from 1900 to 2000 in the U.S. They conduct Internet research, watch and discuss a video, and develop the matrix.

Students observe the sounds of different brass instruments in order to understand how to create different pitches. In this musical instructional activity, students create a "brass" instrument from everyday household objects. The students...

Students investigate sound vibrations by experimenting with a cup.  In this sound waves lesson, students utilize a paper or plastic cup, string, and different household items to create different sounds by plucking the string or...

Students experiment with materials that allow light to pass through.  In this physical science instructional activity, students investigate the way light is absorbed by many different glass objects and household items....

See the water filtration system up close with a fun science experiment. Young scientists work for several class periods to design a water filter using household objects, and then decide which filter material would be most effective...

From medical treatments to cooking, people have been using herbs and spices for thousands of years. Perform a blind smell test of household herbs and spices to engage students in learning about ancient spice trading. Research the history...

As an introduction to the hypothesis and testing method of investigation, young history detectives engage in a special investigation of a family artifact. After watching a short video that demonstrates the method, they develop a...

Students read an article that explains the dangers of household bacteria. In this lesson, students explore items in a home that easily hold bacteria, then complete several activities to reinforce comprehension of the article.

Fifth graders practice measuring items with unique tools.  In this length lesson, 5th graders examine several household items and must decide if they want to use a pencil width, piece of paper, or their thumb to measure the item....

First graders create ice cream in class.  In this matter lesson plan, 1st graders discover solids, liquids and gases and the properties of each.  Students produce a batch of ice cream in class using household items.

Students create unique sounds using different instruments.  In this energy lesson, students read and define several vocabulary terms such as heat, energy transfer and thermal equilibrium.  Students utilize several household...

Students examine human anatomy by creating a prosthetic limb.  In this medical engineering instructional activity, students view numerous images of prosthetics used in science today and define several medical terms associated with...

Students explore the weather system by analyzing water properties. In this precipitation lesson, students review weather related vocabulary terms and discuss how rainbows are created by light hitting droplets at the right time. Students...

Students explore hurricanes and tornadoes by conducting an experiment. In this weather pattern activity, students define many extreme weather vocabulary terms and discuss the relationship with static electricity. Students utilize plastic...

Students explore paper making. In this cross curriculum multicultural ecology and art instructional activity, students follow written and oral instructions to make paper using common household items. Students predict the amount of paper...

Students investigate the power consumption of household objects by using a classification sheet.  In this energy conservation lesson, students read through a list of household items and tools and organize them by predicting which...

Learners examine household hazards for pets. In this animal welfare lesson, students participate in 3 activities regarding the safety of their pets in their homes.

Students demonstrate effects of waste on environment and ways of reducing it, observe how much packaging goes into bag lunches each day, and survey their families to assess awareness levels and household recycling practices. Lessons all...

Students complete a unit of lessons that examine life in early America from 1740-1840. They compare items with similar objects we use today, explore various websites, create a paper doll, try and guess the function of various objects,...

High schoolers identify how household materials can be hazardous to themselves and family members. Precautions for preventing and/or minimizing various hazards are discussed as a class. Working in pairs, students create a directory of...

Students investigate the effects and causes of acid rain. They test pH of household items to familiarize themselves with pH scale and compare that information with acid rain solutions. They investigate impact of acid rain via internet...

Young scholars play a game of artifact show and tell using household items.

Students discover the importance of using descriptive words in good writing. They brainstorm words to describe elephants and dogs then watch a video that describes different items. Each student writes a paragraph using descriptive words...