Lesson Plan
Berkeley Engineering and Mentors

Marshmallow Challenge

For Teachers K - 12th
Here is a lesson in collaboration cleverly disguised as an engineering design activity. There is no background material for you to teach here,  just instructions about materials and rules for participating groups. Use this as...
Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

See the Genes

For Teachers 10th - 12th
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough" - Albert Einstein. The sixth installment of a seven-part series teaches young scientists about the importance of being able to communicate scientific research and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Informed Drawing Through Observation

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students practice observation techniques to improve their drawing skills. For this drawing technique lesson, students assess drawing as an art media and discuss realism. Students view examples of animal drawings and practice drawing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigrating to America

For Teachers 5th
Coming to America as an immigrant can be an emotional and difficult process. This lesson has learners explore what it means to be an immigrant, listen to real life accounts, and visit an online museum. This is a wonderful discussion...
Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Designing a Water Treatment Plant

For Teachers 8th - 12th
How does dirty water get clean enough to drink? After viewing a PowerPoint that outlines the process water goes through at a water treatment plant, groups work together to design a chlorination chamber for a treatment plant.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature Calendar

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students practice using reference materials to locate information by making a nature calendar.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stratigraphy -- Layers of Time in the Earth

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students are introduced to the process of stratification. Using the internet, they read about the Richard Beene archeological site near San Antonio. Using a map, they color code the different layers present at this site and answer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Open Wide and Trek Inside!

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students explore, examine and study a module that focuses on the science of the oral environment and major scientific concepts relating to oral health. They investigate the process of tooth decay by interacting with stories and games...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes the Wind Blow?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Student study the properties of wind. They make a miniature hot-air balloon and compose diamond-shaped poems about the wind. They explain that as the sun warms air around the earth, the air rises. Colder air then moves in to fill the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slow Rot or Not?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine how environmental factors affect decomposition. In this decomposition instructional activity, 5th graders experiment with the decomposition of grapes in five different environmental settings. They look at images of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hot Air Balloon Design Lesson Plan

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discuss what they know and what they want to know about hot air balloon using a KWL chart. They then use a wide array of materials to design a hot air balloon that will lift successfully in cooperative groups referring to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nerve Cell Informercials

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research the structure and function of the nervous system. They prepare a model or representation of neural transmission. Students create an infomercial about nerve cells.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Did Humans Evolve?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students complete an online activity in which they examine fossils to find possible hominid family trees.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Summer Water & Sand Activity: Mud Pies and More

For Teachers Pre-K - K
In this activity, Summer Water & Sand Activity: Mud Pies and More, students investigate mud while playing and creating with it. Students understand mud, what it is, and how it is formed. Students develop their creativeness by making...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Karst Dictionary

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students practice using the correct vocabulary in geology and hydrology. They use the Internet to research topics and practice their researching skills.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Molecules

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Learners explore the process of science by studying and analyzing fundamental biological molecules in this introductory lesson on molecules. The lesson includes a pre-lesson worksheet and a question sheet for final, individual assessment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Organisms

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students investigate various organisms in an attempt to understand the process of evolution and related ecological issues. This elementary lesson uses small plastic animals and includes a worksheet for student assessment and reflection.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification: Dichotomous Key

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explain the classification process of organisms. In this biology lesson, students practice writing the names of organisms scientifically. They answer the dichotomous key and discuss answers as a class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much Radiation is Around You?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the use, misuse and fear of radiation. They read an article about radiation on food and discuss the positives and negatives of this process. They answer questions to complete the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

S-O-I-L Soil

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research soil, its nutrients, and plant growth. In this soil activity, 5th graders create soil journals, trace flowers, and include nutrient information on each petal. Students read an excerpt from "McBroom Tells the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blood Brothers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the blood characteristics of a number of distinct racial/ethnic groups. They build skills in observation, information gathering and processing. Students experiences strongly reflect the nature and intent of the current...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fable Writing--Inter-disciplinary Approach To Social Sciences

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students recognize the elements of a fable and write an original fable. They make connections with morals and other law-related concepts.
Activity
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Teach Engineering

Get the Word Out at McDonald's!

For Teachers 7th - 9th
To get the word out that the Great Pacific garbage patch (GPGP) contains millions of pounds of non-biodegrading plastics, individuals research the GPGP and write an article for a newsletter. Researchers present their facts in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hatching Chickens

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students consider the concept that much can be learned from the natural world by observation. They observe the incubation and hatching of chicken eggs in the classroom and discuss the needs of living things.