Students explore the factors that affect how long coffee stays hot. They develop a question and a testable hypothesis for one factor such as initial temperature or size of opening of the container. Then they design and conduct an...

Students engage in a lab that focuses on animal behavior in an open ended inquiry based laboratory experience. They build an ethogram, display a transition matrix and analyze a Markov Chain. They remove wings from the drosophila and...

Students must design and conduct an experiment to determine which unknown liquid has a greater density based on basic information about the liquids and containers. Students are given specific materials to work with.

Students use numbers as descriptors. In this mathematical inquiry lesson, students use numbers to describe, classify, and compare plants. Students are made aware that numbers can be used to describe things in the world around them.

Sixth graders explore potential and kinetic energy. In this science lesson, 6th graders assume the role of a roller coaster engineer and design a roller coaster. Students use their knowledge of kinetic and potential energy to design a...

Students study the relationship between an animal and where it lives.  In this habitats lesson students research to obtain data and create a professional report. 

Young scholars explore the topic of insects. In this biology lesson plan, students develop a curiosity about the insect world. Young scholars will collect and observe insects native to the area.

Students design a program to make an automated vehicle perform a specific task. In this robotics lesson, students play the role of scientists competing to win a factory's contract. They present their algorithm to class.

Students use Robolab sensors and software to design an experiment that incorporates the use of temperature probes. They conduct the experiment, complete a lab sheet, evaluate the results and then consider if their hypothesis requires...

Students evaluate the friction of tennis sneakers and redesign them to increase friction. In this physics lesson, students calculate starting, sideways and forward stopping friction. Using quantitative data, they prove that redesigning...

Students assemble snow goggle models and discuss how snow goggles change the amount of light shining in their eyes.

Your class will love exploring animal conservation through this lesson on bats. Learners discuss the importance of bats in the ecosystem and talk about the different types and their characteristics. As a follow up, a model of a bat or a...

You don't have to visit The Maritime Aquarium to use this plan, but you would need to find a location where a variety of bird species live, re-write the activity worksheet to incorporate the local species, and purchase field guides for...

Physics classes that are studying electricity connect photovoltaic cells into both series and parallel circuits. Inquiry and critical thinking come into play as learners try to determine which circuit is more productive. They associate...

Designed for teachers, this resource identifies problems learners face when attempting a research project and approaches instructors can use to help their class members overcome these obstacles. Suggestions are included for how to help...

Students investigate the history of fighter kites and build their own.  For this aeronautics lesson, students discover how other countries utilize fighter kites and where they originated.  Students create their own fighter...

Students conduct an experiment to determine how the change in ramp height affects the distances a ball is able to move a stationary cup. Data is collected from several trials and recorded and analyzed.

Learners recognize the benefits of ethanol and study photosynthesis.  In this ethanol instructional activity students complete an experiment that shows the procedure that starch can be hydrolyzed by salivary amylase. 

Learners study silicon and where it comes from.  In this solar mining lesson students complete an Internet search of mining and a lab activity. 

Eighth graders study the conservation of matter.  For this chemical reaction lesson students examine what happens during a chemical reaction and complete a lab activity. 

From 3-D cities to building bridges, young engineers engage in innovative STEM challenges that promote brainstorming and collaboration. Learners take on the roles of different types of engineers as well as become familiar...

In 1993, five biomedical engineers in Edinburgh, Scotland, created the first functional bionic arm. In the activity, learners explore the world of bioengineering through discussion and hands-on exploration. In groups, participants...

Young sleuths don their trench coats, tip their fedoras, and grab their notepads to investigate one of four famous unsolved mysteries. After examining multiple primary and secondary sources related to their cold case, they propose a...

Seventh graders demonstrate scientific inquiry to design and perform an experiment involving Grow Creatures. They participate in a class discussion, and in small groups design an experiment that determines how to change the materials to...