Computer Science Unplugged
Lightest and Heaviest—Sorting Algorithms
How do computers sort data lists? Using eight unknown weights and a balance scale, groups determine the order of the weights from lightest to heaviest. A second worksheet provides the groups with other methods to order the weights. The...
Curated OER
A Visit to Hogwarts
Students collaborate in groups to read excerpts or entire selections from two Harry Potter books, use educational software to create concept maps detailing similarities and differences between first two Harry Potter books, and analyze...
Teach Engineering
Spring Away!
The last segment of the nine-part unit makes a connection between springs and linear equations. Groups hang weights from the spring and measure its length. Then, using the data collected, they calculate the slope to find the k-value...
Curated OER
Molly Pitcher -- "Out of Many, One"
Students research, brainstorm and analyze the events that lead up to the Revolutionary War. They critique a piece of artwork depicting a scene from the Revolutionary War. Each major battle is plotted on a map to show a visual...
Teach Engineering
Earthquakes Living Lab: Locating Earthquakes
There are patterns in nearly everything — even earthquakes. Pairs research current earthquakes to see if there are any patterns. They determine the mean, median, and mode of the earthquake data, along with the maximum and...
Rochester Institue of Technology
Patient Flow
It's time to redesign the healthcare system. The seventh installment of a 9-part technology/engineering series teaches future engineers about patient flow and how to design healthcare centers to improve flow. Classroom simulations allow...
Curated OER
Technology - Data Collection
Pupils collect and analyze data from the United States Census Bureau. Using spreadsheet technology, students explore their results and make preductions about income groups. Pupils compute the mean, median and mode. They create charts...
Kenan Fellows
Determining Stream Health by the Diversity and Types of Benthic Organisms
How diverse are the benthic organisms found in local streams? Using the information learned in previous lessons on identification of macroinvertebrates and on calculating stream index values, groups determine the health of local...
Rochester Institue of Technology
Ergonomic Design
To an engineer, the glass is never half full; it's just double the necessary size. The fifth installment of a nine-part technology and engineering series teaches pupils about the idea of ergonomic design. Measurements of popliteal height...
Kenan Fellows
Reading Airline Maintenance Graphs
Airline mechanics must be precise, or the consequences could be deadly. Their target ranges alter with changes in temperature and pressure. When preparing an airplane for flight, you must read a maintenance graph. The second lesson of...
Curated OER
Proteomics
Young scholars analyze data taken from proteomic experiments. In this biology lesson, students explain the importance of bioinformatics tools in the study of proteins. They evaluate scientific results using math and computer software.
Curated OER
Introduction to Lego Robotics
Students utilize computer programs to operate a simple robot. In this technology lesson, students create robots using Lego pieces and simple motors to move them. Students measure the speed of the robots by running Robolab...
Cornell University
Beam Focusing Using Lenses
Explore optics using an inquiry-based experimental approach! Young scholars use a set of materials to design and build a unit capable of focusing a beam of light. They experiment with different lenses to determine the best approach to...
Curated OER
Paint Plus
Using the computer and the Paint program, Students explore the different tools available in the paint program, and then create a picture showing two sets of pictures and an equation.
Curated OER
Math and the NFL - Statistical Representations
Seventh graders use the Internet to get current sports information for data analysis. They use their data to find the mean, median, mode and range. Students then place their data on a spreadsheet.
Curated OER
WebQuest Solar System Colonization Project 2000
Sixth graders investigate the livability of different planets in the universe by researching and organizing information from a number of sources in this unit project. They decide on a location for a space station which they support in an...
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #7 Positioning Solar Panels I: Explorations with Tracking
Students track and record data on the Sun's position in the sky and on the output of a solar panel tracking the Sun. On a second day, students graph and analyze the data to identify relationships between (1) the time of day, (2) the...
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #11 Power Maximum: An Electrical Determination
Students identify and implement methods to standardize testing stations that measure solar panel output power. After collecting electrical ouptut data from several solar panels, they plot the current-voltage and power curves. Students...
Curated OER
Digital Storytelling PowerPoint Lesson
Students investigate traditions by creating a PowerPoint Presentation. In this holiday tradition activity, students research their favorite holiday tradition using a computer. Students utilize their data to create a...
Curated OER
Basics of Environmental Science
Ninth graders explore environmental concerns of the community and identify the basic needs of people, wildlife and domestic animals. Working both individually and in groups, they also define natural resources and compare and contrast...
Curated OER
Historical Temperatures
Students research historical regional temperatures for their current season. In this historical weather lesson, students conduct weather station and Internet research to learn about historical regional temperatures. Students collect and...
Curated OER
Embracing Diversity
Students explore and use different computer programs for collecting data. In this technology based instructional activity, students set up a survey and use the Excel and Lotus software to collect data.
Curated OER
The Giver: A Research Unit
Eighth graders complete a reading of Lois Lowry's, The Giver, and determine a social problem the effects the "utopian society." They research information about the social problem using a number Internet, print, and media resources. They...
NASA
Pop Can Hero Engine
Hang a soda can from a string and watch it spin by the force created by water streaming out of slanted holes. This plan provides background information, detailed materials and procedures, discussion questions, a lab worksheet, and...