California Academy of Science
Building Better Buses: Transportation Design Challenges
Scholars learn about a series of three challenges when they design a bus system for a small town. They determine the bus routes and then figure out the best type of fuel to use before considering the cost of going electric. Learners...
Curated OER
Cool Tools to Solve Challenging Word Problems
Students explore math functions by completing worksheets in class. In this word problem lesson, students read the story A Remainder of One and practice solving division problems from the story. Students complete a worksheet which...
Curated OER
Physical Education: Mission Possible
Students participate in a physical education activity, Mission Possible, where they attempt to steal a jug of jewels. They must successfully overcome five challenge areas to complete the activity. Students develop cooperative...
Curated OER
Patterns and Pentominoes
Students solve pentomino puzzles. In this problem solving lesson, students discuss how pentomino puzzles play into the plot of Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett and practice solving a pentomino puzzle on their own....
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
Cartoon Fractions
Students explore mathematics by viewing cartoons. In this math functions lesson plan, students read several "Peanut" cartoons on their worksheets as they solve fraction problems and compare them to the comic strip. Students utilize...
Curated OER
Trading in Subtraction
Second graders solve two-digit subtraction problems without trades using counters and by modeling trades with base-ten blocks. They pair in groups and students open the "Counters Open Mat". Students are given a problem, such as: there...
PHET
Planetary Magnetism
What do magnetic fields look like? The best way to learn about magnetic fields is to try identifying them for yourself. Scholars will understand the importance of magnetic fields after completing this experiment. The extension activities...
Curated OER
Subtraction
First graders write and illustrate a story for a subtraction problem subtracting from the number ten. Students explore subtraction situations by using counters to represent a familiar number- based literature selection. Students role...
Curated OER
Money Makes the World Go Around
Students convert currency from around the world. In this math lesson, students solve exchange rate problems using Google Earth. They complete a worksheet during the simulation.
Curated OER
Number Wizards! Lesson Plan
Students play a game in which they build and compare large numbers to learn place value. They use place value to read, write and compare large numbers.
California Academy of Science
Optimal and Sustainable: Renewable Energy Revamp
More than 100 cities around the world have shifted from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Scholars investigate a city wanting to make this switch, but needs help determining how to make the shift. Groups consider all options,...
Curated OER
Utah Pioneers
Fourth graders investigate the hardships faced by the Utah pioneers. In small groups they calculate a budget using a determined amount of money, select a challenge for the group, and discuss how their group overcomes the challenges...
Curated OER
Rover Races
Students identify the challenges encountered by astronauts in operating a planetary rover. In this space science activity, students create a rover using their team members. They follow a command sequence from the driver and navigate...
Curated OER
TE Lesson: Pollution Solutions
Students study how industrial technology helps clean up and prevent air pollution. They role play as engineers to examine methods of engineering pollutant recovery methods such as scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, cyclones, and...
Curated OER
Be a Structural Engineer!
Students investigate how to design and build items with a focus on structural strength as an engineer would. They complete a truss-building project as a final assessment.
Curated OER
Transforming Triangles
Sixth graders graph translations (slides) and reflections (flips) on a coordinate plane. They visualize and identify geometric shapes after applying transformations on a coordinate plane. Finally, 6th graders write a paragraph telling...
Curated OER
Designing a 2-liter Pop Bottle Piece to be Used for Water Rockets
High schoolers design and create water rockets using recycled materials. In this technology lesson, students measure and sketch their project design before drawing them using SolidWorks. They construct the bottle as accurately as possible.
Curated OER
Positive Language
Students recognize ineffectiveness of negative talk and power of positive talk in the classroom.
Curated OER
Reading Trees: Understanding Dendrochronology
Students examine tree-ring dating and discuss the lack of water the settlers in Jamestown faced. They create paper tree rings, simulate rain patterns, and describe the history of construction paper tree sequences.
Curated OER
TE Activity: Space Shelter
Students simulate that they need to develop a new home on a different planet. They design a shelter that will ensure their survival after researching the characteristics of the other planet. They write an essay about their home design.