Curated OER
Life Is Like a Jar of Pickles
Fourth graders examine how a jar of pickles impacts the Earth. They make predictions on how it can effect their quality of life and suggest improvements in different fields. They share their suggestions with the class.
Curated OER
In Search of Reused and Recycled
Young scholars identify recycled and recyclable products by reading labels. They discuss what happens to solid waste in landfills and its impact on the environment. They discuss ways in which they can conserve natural resources.
Curated OER
Product Line
Young scholars research products imported from Europe and use a map to show the routes the products might have followed to reach this country. They take a field trip to a store that carries imported products and take note of how many...
Curated OER
Petroleum Poisons
Students discover how harmful petroleum distillates are that are found in the home. They demonstrate how to collect information about consumer products. They also ask their parents about the safety of the cleaning supplies used in their...
Curated OER
Critical Review for Radio
Students will produce a short radio feature about a favorite entertainer or group, consisting of 45 seconds to one minute of copy and one-to-two minutes of music "clips." In writing this copy, they will use a modified prewriting...
Curated OER
Hot Stuff!
Students observe different demonstrations on the greenhouse effect. They build their own models to show the phenomenon. They discus the role of greenhouse gases on global warming.
Curated OER
Static Cling
Students work together to discover the concept of static electricity. They participate in an experiment in which they test different objects charge. They make observations and record them for later use.
Curated OER
What's Hiding in the Air?
Fifth graders conduct experiments to study the effects of invisible air pollutants including one with a bean plant. They examine methods of invisible air pollutants.
Curated OER
Yesterday's Trash
Students create a trash book or individual student books using cereal boxes. They record everything thrown away and use one page for each category.
Curated OER
Classroom Triangles
Middle schoolers use bearing measurements to triangulate and determine objects' locations. Working in teams of two or three, students must put on their investigative hats as they take bearing measurements to specified landmarks in their...
Curated OER
Design Weather Instruments using LEGO Sensors
Students design and create a LEGO structure that will house and protect a temperature sensor. They leave the structure in a safe spot and check the temperature regularly and chart it. After the students have built their structures, the...
Curated OER
Invent a Backscratcher from Everyday Materials
Young scholars explore the design process. They discuss why new products are made, examine backscratchers brought in from home and discuss why it is a useful device, and working with a partner draw and construct a backscratcher.
Curated OER
THE TRAVELS OF BABAR: An Adventure in Scale :Building a Model Hot Air Balloon
Students encounter basic facts about helium and hot air. They compare the weight and size of different materials. Students work collaboratively in teams. They create their own model balloon.
Curated OER
Ads Are Everywhere
In this advertisements learning exercise, students read a list of 25 specific forms of advertising. Kids then answer 2 essay questions. This learning exercise directs students to read an article not provided here.
Curated OER
Recycling Paper
Students recycle old paper into new. For this sustainability lesson, students take old newspaper and recycle it into new paper.
Other
D&t Online: Packaging
Packaging a product is an important part of any manufacturing process. This site explains how to design and create packaging for a variety of shapes.
Stanford University
Stanford University: How Everyday Things Are Made
If you've ever wondered how things are made - products like candy, cars, airplanes, or bottles - or if you've been interested in manufacturing processes, like forging, casting, or injection molding, then you've come to the right place....
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Juice Box Geometry
Juice boxes are so convenient, just poke the straw in and sip away. It might surprise you how much thought goes into the design and manufacturing of a juice box. Each manufacturer has carefully calculated how big each side should be to...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Lives on the Railroad: Salisbury, North Carolina 1927
Replica of the Salisbury, North Carolina railway station teaches about riding and working on the railroad in the 1920s when railroads were a central part of American life. Railroad lines crisscrossed the country. They carried people,...