Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bugging Out

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore how insects behave in their natural habitats and build dioramas to create an Insect World in their classroom. They investigate various insects and the roles they play in the environment. They write creative short...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Uplifting Experience

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders conduct flight experiments.  In this uplifting experience lesson, 5th graders build an airfoil and place in a variety of conditions to observe the results of lift and force in flight, as well as angle of attack....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals Up!

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students design and build a pedestal or platform that holds a toy animal. In this building lesson, students use knowledge from a prior lesson as they build a platform or pedestal for a toy animal using on index cards. They learn the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mr. Pitonyak's Pyramid Puzzle

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students determine how much it would cost to build a pyramid using modern materials and ancient methods. They design scale drawings, models and submit final cost bids in an attempt to get the job of building a pyramid.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Circuits

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders build a simple circuit which transmits Morse code using a battery, bulb, wire, switch, and tape. They analyze problems that arise while transmitting their messages to each other.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather with Lewis and Clark: Then and Now

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss how to accurately measure weather, gather materials in order to make instruments, and build weather instruments in which they measure and record different aspects of weather for a five-day period.
Lesson Plan
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Critical Load

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
Students analyze critical load and how to reinforce the design of a structure to hold more weight. They examine basic structures and which materials to select. They create a prototype to hold more and more weight.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction, Advance Organizer, and the Problem

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe the three-phrase process for designing and developing energy-efficient buildings. They develop solutions and identify ways to make homes more comfortable and productive in regards to energy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soapy Stress

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate the three types of material stress related to rocks. They identify the three types of stress, conduct a simulation by breaking bars of soap using only their hands, and complete a worksheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake Proof Structures

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders build a structure that is able to withstand a simulated earthquake. They research earthquakes, earthquake measurement, and society's preparation for and reaction to them. Pupils build models and present them to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun and Moon

For Teachers K - 1st
Students understand basic concepts about Earth, the Sun and the Moon, such as relative movement and the phases of the moon. Through discussion, looking at pictures, listening to Native American stories, observing, and building models,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Series and Parallel Circuits

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore electrical circuits. In this electrical circuit lesson, 4th graders research the history of the use of light and read a biography regarding Benjamin Franklin. Students the build basic circuits, series...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pasta Bridges

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze the correct use of technology as it relates to math and science. In this science lesson, students investigate force and weight as it relates to building an object. They build a bridge and draw conclusion based on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Capturing Wind Energy

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students investigate technology and make a correlation between technology and the weather. In this science lesson, students experiment with the weather and climate using technology to help them understand forces and motion. They identify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let it Roll!

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore how various ramps affect the rate of speed of a rolling object. In this physics lesson, students work in groups to build a ramp out of various materials. Students test and record the rate of speed of a rolling object by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Friction Flyers

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore the principles of magnetism and friction. They complete an interactive puzzle on the Gizmos and Gadgets computer software, construct a vehicle, build and modify ramps and vehicles to produce various outcomes, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Brace Yourself!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars create a list of dental problems and tactics that can be used to correct them. They then study about how the field of orthodontics is changing, and work in cooperative groups to research and build models of how various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tornado!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create tornado proof buildings.  In this weather activity, students review tornadoes, discuss creation of tornado proof buildings, and learn about the Fujita Scale of Tornado Intensity.  Middle schoolers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating the Ideal Cargo Boat

For Teachers 5th - 7th
  Students build boats out of clay to test the buoyancy of the boat in water.  Students break into pairs and construct their boat to specific guide lines, then experiment with their boat in the water.   
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Filtration Competition

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars design water filtration systems. They draw sketches and write paragraphs about their systems. After presenting their systems to the class, each group then builds their system and determines its effectiveness for purifying...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let the Sun Shine!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate how the sun can be used for energy. They read a handout, discuss the pros and cons of passive solar building design, develop flashcard questions, and identify jobs that can be helped by solar energy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Suspension Bridge

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students view a video clip about suspension bridges. They discover what forces support this type of bridge. They build their own suspension bridge using classroom materials.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meeting in the Middle

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students view a video clip about the building of tunnels. They discover the importance of measurement and communication between groups when building a tunnel. They participate in an activity in which they must communicate with others.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Castle/Fort Unit

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students compare and contrast castles and forts. They observe buildings in their community and consider how castles and forts are similar. They design their own castle or fort and brainstorm materials to build with, discuss how the...