How are simple machines used in professional settings? To find out, scholars examine various pictures, cross-reference a list of simple machines, and write or verbally share how those items are used in specific jobs.

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...

Here is a collection of activities that complements each of the five senses. Youngsters explore textures, sounds in song, food tastes and aromas, colors and patterns, and a variety of experiences that boost...

Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome. 

Explore the human body through hands-on activities. Young learners will trace their bodies and place cut out body organs in the proper place, print patterns using cut fruit, sing songs about good nutrition, and use their five senses...

Could you determine longitude based on measuring time? Early explorers used a longitude clock to do just that. Scholars learn about early exploration and the importance of the invention of the clock. Then pupils build their own longitude...

Let's go fly a kite ... oops, a paper airplane! The 13th segment in an aviation unit of 22 relates the parts of an airplane to paper airplanes. Pupils learn the functions of the control surfaces of a plane to really make their knowledge...

Ancient texts, like Homer's Odyssey, mentions navigating ships by observing constellations. Pupils learn about the link between history and astronomy as they relate to navigation in the Bronze Age. Scholars complete two hands-on...

Bridge the gaps in your knowledge of bridges. Individuals learn about bridge types by building models. The activity introduces beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges.

Students complete the theme activities in the unit for the month of September. In this planning lesson, students complete various themed activities for the month of September. Students complete movement activities, autonomy and social...

Students collaborate on the plannng and implementation of the Sarita Wetland Restoration. The Sarita Wetland is the remnant of former Lake Sarita that was drained in the early 1900's. The goal of the entire project is to improve water...

Students identify features that make an automobile practical for a cross-country trip and then design a 1903 era auto using lessons learned from Horatio's journey.

Students make their own maple sugar and learn about how it is made on a grander scale. For this maple sugar lesson, students make their own maple sugar and learn about evaporation and what labor is put into making it.

Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...

Investigate the Law of Conservation of Mass through a lab exploration. Individuals combine materials to initiate chemical reactions. They monitor for signs of reactions and measure the masses before and after the reactions for...

Students explore sea life. In this cross curriculum fine arts, science, and P.E. "dolphins" activity, students sing songs and play games about dolphins, perform water experiments, create mosaics, and use their five senses to explore sand...

Students examine sets of four or five organisms and determine which organism in each set doesn't "belong", and determine a variety of characteristics that explain why it doesn't belong.

Fourth graders conduct experiments heating water. In this inquiry-based early chemistry instructional activity, 4th graders use the materials given to experiment with the process of heating water. Students draw conclusions based upon...

Students practice counting and matching quantities using paper fish.  In this early mathematics lesson, students create a fake fishing pole and attempt to identify numbered paper fish they acquire from a bucket.  Students read...

Students explore animal lifestyles by illustrating images. In this pet care lesson, students discuss their own pets and the conditions animals need to survive in both nature or a home. Students draw snakes and complete an activity sheet...

Students use a light microscope to observe the organisms living in a sample of ocean or fresh water. Students create a drawing of the organisms that they observe. Students then discuss the different body plans of the organisms and the...

Students investigate the interdependence of agriculture and the environment. They research areas of interdependence and provide examples of situations where farmers are practicing conservation in the local area. Their findings are...

Students observe similarities and differences of natural objects. In this observation lesson, students use a magnifying glass to identify the details of objects.

Students use chromatography to separate plant pigments collected from a fictitious crime scene and suspects. They compare the Rf values of the plant pigments to determine whether the plant pigments found on any of the suspects match the...