Lesson Plan
National Woman's History Museum

Getting with the Program

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
A seven-step activity introduces the emergence of computer sciences and the contributions women made to the profession after World War II. Several science experiments offer pupils a hands-on learning experience that showcases parabolas,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Christopher Columbus: The Man, the Myth, the Legend

For Teachers K
Learn more about maps by examining Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. Kindergartners will learn about basic map skills and how to identify the compass rose, oceans, and land masses. They will also discover the purpose of...
Lesson Plan
National History Day

Helping Life and Aiding Death: Science, Technology, and Engineering at Work during World War I

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Science, engineering, and United States history? Pupils research collections of artifacts from the Smithsonian to learn about historical scientific innovations. At the end of the lesson, they write an essay to discuss technology's...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Navigating with the Kamal

For Teachers 8th - 11th Standards
Historians have proven that as early as 1497 skilled navigators were using a kamal to sail across oceans. Scholars learn about navigation tools and astronomy before building their own kamals. They then learn how to use it to determine...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Let's Map the Earth

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Before maps went mobile, people actually had to learn how to read maps. Pupils look at map elements in order to understand how to read them and locate specific locations. Finally, young cartographers discover how to make aerial maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charlie Four Star: A Case Study

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Engage in a class debate dealing with the allocation of organs to those waiting for a transplant. How do they decide who gets a transplant and who doesn't? Learners attempt to determine what is fair for the individual requiring an organ...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

The Sun Compass of the Vikings

For Teachers 7th - 10th Standards
Evidence shows the Vikings likely navigated by using a simple sundial to find their course. Videos, a short story, and discussion help bring this time period to life as they study European history with a hands-on experiment. Scholars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing a Study

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students explore features to consider when designing a scientific study. In this science research lesson, students examine different methods of data collection and consider which method would be appropriate for determining how many types...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sciences Working Together

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research articles about science technology and society. For this science and technology lesson, students answer questions about an article they chose. They share what they learned with their peers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

HIV/AIDS: Basic Facts

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate human sexuality by researching STD's. In this HIV lesson plan, students discuss the potential risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease such as HIV which can cause illness and death. Students assess their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Student News And Weather Channel

For Teachers 5th
Fabulous! Your 5th graders should love this project. As an ongoing lesson throughout the year students use temperature probes to record outside temperature and then document their data using spreadsheets. They use their weather data and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layer Cake Archaeology

For Teachers K - 2nd
Excavating cake? Why not! Kids spoon into some layers and artifacts during this tasty hands-on activity. The cake, a simulated archaeological dig, is the object of observation and discussion.
Activity
Listening Library

The Sign of the Beaver

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Extend a class reading of the novel The Sign of the Beaver across all subject areas with this literature unit guide. From basic discussion questions and writing prompts, to a research project about tracking animals, this...
Activity
PBS

Classification

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore classification skills used in scientific research. They classify a variety of objects in order to compare and contrast. In addition, they analyze previously collected data in order to place items into meaningful groups.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Where in the Latitude Are You? A Longitude Here.

For Teachers 5th
Students distinguish between latitude and longitude on the map. In this mapping lesson, students participate in mapping skills to recognize spatial relationships, and where to find natural resources on the map. Students create...
Interactive
Curated OER

Galileo Galilei Questions for Study

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive philosophy worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Galileo's contributions to science. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transparent Shoebox Dig

For Teachers K - 4th
Take this simulated archaeological dig one layer at a time with your young pupils to encourage observation, critical thinking, and careful attention. Using a transparent box full of layers of sand and artifacts, pupils examine the...
Lesson Plan
PBS

America's Infrastructure: Miller Center National Discussion Debate Series

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phat Shredders and Phony Phorces: Snowboarding, Winter Sports, Olympics, Sport Safety, Science, Physics

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars study about the history, physical science, and safety issues involved in snowboarding.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water: Our Most Important Beverage

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create a KWL chart about water. In this environmental science lesson, 3rd graders demonstrate how much water on Earth is usable. They act out the different stages of the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Make a Meal: A Study of Oats

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate the history and health benefits of oats. In this food history and nutrition lesson, students describe the origin of oats in America, define nutrition related vocabulary, and read and follow recipes for making...
Organizer
Curated OER

Compass Rose Activity

For Students 4th - 6th
Which direction is which? Use this compass rose labeling activity to practice with basic directions as learners fill in the compass themselves. They use cardinal and intermediate direction abbreviations. Consider using their compass on a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Basics of Archaeology

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify what and how to complete an Archaeological excavation is conducted. They identify the transition from one layer to the next more easily if the colors of the layers are different. When creating a dig, the teacher...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Science and Technology of Food

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the guidelines the United States Department of Agriculture places on food. In groups, they create a list of the foods they consume and discuss the political and environmental implications of purchasing the food. They...