Curated OER
Making Decisions: Packaging and the Environment
Learners work in small groups to redesign the packaging of several common items. They attempt to reach the goal of 25% reduction in packaging materials currently used and explore the impact of various materials and designs in landfills...
Curated OER
The Impact
Students study inventions and the impact they have had on people. In this investigative lesson students learn how inventions are created and take part in a design project that will allow them to solve problems.
Curated OER
Ships to a New World
Students experiment with buoyancy as a force. In this buoyancy lesson, students access an assigned website to examine the sailing vessels that came to the New World. They work as teams to build boats out of aluminum foil to see which...
Curated OER
Designing a Tropical Reserve System
Students explain the complexity of resource, land use, and conservation decisions.
Curated OER
Build a Better Pencil
Students develop awareness of constraints. In the early grades, children may be inclined to go with their first idea with little testing. Therefore, students should be encouraged to reflect on the practicality of their designs. However,...
Curated OER
Energy Efficiency in the Home
Students discover ways to conserve energy in their homes. In this energy efficiency lesson students analyze a set of data and design a solution that results in higher energy efficiency.
Curated OER
Model Storage Facility
Students design a storage facility that can withstand extreme wind loads. In this physics instructional activity, students decide how to build their facility considering budget constraints. They evaluate their design and present it to...
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Eek, It leaks!
Students construct model landfill liners out of two-inch strips of garbage bags within resource constraints. The challenge is to construct a bag that will hold one cup of water without leaking. This represents similar challenges that...
Curated OER
Developing Soundproofing Materials
Eighth graders investigate the acoustic properties of materials in order to develop soundproofing products. In this soundproofing lesson plan students research different resources, design and perform experiments and fabricate, test and...
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Behind the Mission To Mercury
High schoolers assess the goals, benefits, success, and limitations of technology (instruments) on a space mission.
Curated OER
Brain Awareness Week
Students explore the brain. In this science lesson, students create a model of the brain and discuss steps taken in order to protect the brain. Students design a container that would protect the brain from injury. Students discuss the...
Curated OER
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Lesson Plans
Students design and construct a suspension bridge. Math is used to compare the actual measurements of the bridge to the student's version.
Curated OER
LEGO Balance
Students design and build a balance using LEGO, string, and a set of standard metric weights.
Curated OER
Building the Car (Mechanics and Motion)
Students design and begin building a car out of K'NEX parts after a class discussion on the components of the car, the constraints and goals of the design, the type of testing that will be performed, and a demonstration of a basic...
Curated OER
Journey to the Afterlife
Students work together to design an Egyptian funerary barge. They discover the importance of the afterlife to Egyptians. They create their boat and share their design with the class. They compare and contrast the technology of Ancient...
Curated OER
Peak Performance
Students design and build a car that is capable of traveling across the floor quickly, and also up a steep ramp.
Curated OER
Tower O'Power
Students work together to design a tower from a computer program. They manufacture the pieces with a laser cutter and compete in a competition to determine the best design for stress relief on towers. They discover the work engineers...
Curated OER
Spatial Characterization of Animal Movement
Learners identify biotic and abiotic factors which may alter the observed patterns in plant communities with different structural characteristics, climate, or environmental constraints.
Curated OER
Electrical Circuits And Switches
Students design and draw circuits with batteries, small light bulbs and common household conductors. They build and test the circuit then modify it so someone who couldn't use their hands could turn the circuit on and off.
Curated OER
Where's the Water?
Fifth graders conduct an investigation into water purification during a role play situation in an Amazon Rainforest. They design a scientific experiment for cleaning and filtering water.
Curated OER
Rovers on Mars
Pupils explore latest Mars rovers - Spirit and Opportunity. They investigate the nature of communications with the Rovers including use of Mars Orbiters as relay stations. They research needs of future missions and design communications...
Curated OER
Anatomy of the Brain
Students explore the brain. In this science lesson plan, students view a diagram of the brain and discuss the various regions of the brain. Students discuss the importance of protecting the brain and design a protective covering.
Curated OER
1, 2, Robot Hands Please Tie My Shoe
Students simulate robotic sensing by tying their shoes with constraints. In this technology lesson, students infer the importance of robots. They explain how a robot's design determines the kind of job it will do.
California Academy of Science
Food for Thought: Defining a Problem to Find a Solution
Scholars approach a problem trying to plan a meal for a class party. They learn about the restrictions and must decide what information they need to plan the meal. The first lesson in a 13-part unit on Our Hungry Planet encourages...