American Institute of Physics
Eunice Foote: Scientist and Suffragette
The greenhouse effect and climate change are hot topics in today's news. Young scientists may be surprised to learn that the concept is not a new one. In fact, Eunice Newton Foote, scientist, inventor, and suffragette, discovered the...
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Solar History
Using the sun's light as a source of energy is not a new concept. Give your environmental studies, engineering, or physical science class this list of how humans have used solar energy throughout history. Assign groups a certain time...
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Science and Technology
Students research inventions that have been created. In this historical technology lesson, students read the Harcourt Brace social studies textbook and discuss how inventors used graphs to display data. Students create a table to write...
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RISE AND REVIEW
Students work in small groups to brainstorm responses to teacher posed questions as a means of review and present their Interview Projects. They present certain inventions, inventors, and scientific discoveries.
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Inside Information
Students research and write reports about inventions and inventors. They develop graphic organizers to organize their information, and create reports on the impact of inventors and inventions.
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What Can You Make of It?
Students investigate the various uses of a paper cup. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students investigate various ways to use a paper cup by identifying its characteristics. Students sketch their discovery.
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The History of Silk
Sixth graders study the history of silk-making in China. They investigate the silkworm and follow the trade route of the Silk Road. They research other Chinese inventions.
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What is all the Fuss about?
Students brainstorm a list of science discoveries and inventions that they think are important. They work in small groups, students examine 1-3 science discoeries more closely. Each group needs a recorder, and they answer three...
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Galileo: His Times & Beliefs
Learners study Galileo and his scientific discoveries. They complete a series of experiments/model constructions, using 17th century equipment and procedures, to "recreate," demonstrate and explore the various discoveries of Galileo.
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Earth Movers and Shakers
Students explore how the centuries-old invention of the lever led to today's applications in mobiles and crowbars. They watch a video on the lever, then utilize worksheets imbedded in this plan to guide their experiments.
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Innovation of Our Generation
Students identify the innovations that have impacted their lives. In this inventions instructional activity students write and present a speech on the greatest innovation of their generation.
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Inventors
Students identify two inventors from the time period 1880-1920. They include information detailing one product or technological advancement each inventor was responsible for. Students use specific language and detail to discuss how...
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Scientists and Inventors
Students explore human discovery by reading historical stories in class. In this inventors lesson, students define the terms scientist, invention, inventor and discovery before discussing the many differences between them. Students read...
American Chemical Society
Man and Materials Through History
From the start of the Industrial Revolution, it only took 147 years for someone to invent plastic. This may seem like a long time, but in the history of inventing or discovering new materials, this is incredibly fast. An informative and...
The New York Times
Perspective and Leonardo’s “Perspectograph”
Filippo Brunelleschi's invention of linear perspective during the Renaissance was further developed by his apprentice, a young artist named Leonardo da Vinci. Now modern artists can give da Vinci's famous perspectograph a try...
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In Line with Time
Third graders create a timeline of inventions and inventors made out of light colored bulletin board paper.
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Back Up
Third graders participate in a review game about significant people who have made inventions.
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The Man in the White Suit
Students view and discuss the movie from 1951 "The Man in the White Suit" and how scientific discoveries can sometimes have negative social and economic consequences. They define key vocabulary terms from the movie, watch the movie, and...
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Steam Engines
Students investigate the invention of the steam engine. In this technology lesson, students investigate the advancement of technology over time. They relate science and technology together.
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Cell Discoveries
Students observe, compare and describe cell organelles in terms of their function, structure and operation. They enter and edit information in a database, build and sort a student-designed database and find records in a database.
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Inspirational Mapping for the Corps of Discovery
Third graders use a computer software entitled, Inspiration, in order to create a map or web of what Lewis and Clark should have packed for their journey west. They are given the expectations of the teacher and a scoring guide is...
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Inventions and Discoveries That Influenced the Course of History
Pupils identify inventions that influenced the course of history and determine the political, social and economics effects of these inventions/discoveries on mankind. They conduct individual research and participate in class discussion.
American Chemical Society
Energy and Entropy of a Stretched Rubber Band
Stephen Perry invented and patented the modern rubber band in 1845. Young scientists put his discovery to work as they use rubber bands to observe entropy and enthalpy. They determine the change in free energy to figure out if it...
Curated OER
Using a Calendar and Using a Time Line
In this math/social studies worksheet, students examine 2 calendar pages and answer 12 questions about them. Students then investigate a time line of important math inventions and discoveries and answer 8 questions.