Cornell University
Diffraction Demystified
Study diffraction patterns using CDs and DVDs! Scholars measure the diffraction patterns of a light wave as it hits a CD or DVD. Using the information, they can measure the distance between the tracks.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
DNA Words Are Three Letters Long
DNA writes 64 different words but only codes for 20 different amino acids. Budding scientists learn about where each of these numbers come from and why they aren't equal with an online interactive. The resource explains the research, the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Ratifying the Constitution
Ratifying the Constitution was no simple task. Using primary sources, such as classic writings from the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, young scholars examine the arguments for and against the Constitution. They then decide: Would they...
Bonneville
Solar Cell Manufacturing Field Trip and/or Guest Speaker
Appreciate the chance to get out of the classroom. Scholars take a field trip to a solar cell or solar panel facility to learn about the manufacturing aspect of the business. They also hear from a guest speaker and ask questions about...
Curated OER
Constitution
Ninth graders simulate a U.S. Supreme Court hearing concerning a First Amendment case about school prayer by participating in a hearing.
Curated OER
Incandescent Light Bulb
Students study the history of the light bulb and how an incandescent light bulb works. In this electricity lesson plan students complete several experiments on the light bulb.
Curated OER
Probability using M & M's
Using M & M's candies, young statisticians predict the color distribution in a packet of candies and test their predictions against their group and the larger class. A review of converting between fractions, decimals, and percents...
Curated OER
Plaster Sculpture – subtractive method
Practice the subtractive sculpture process with your class. They'll discuss the subtractive method, art form and space, then design a sculpture which they will create from a block of plaster. Technical instructions are included.
Appalachian State University
Science Fiction - Genre
Unsuspecting George McFlys are presented into the craft workings of the science fiction genre of literature. Speculations are developed through teacher-led dialogs about how science fiction impacts science, technology, and comments on...
Curated OER
Soil Excavation
Students comprehend how percent of change and multipliers are used to determine volume for removal and replacement of soils. They calculate soil volume percent changes using data tables. They apply formulas to solve a variety of...
Curated OER
The Business of Credit
Learn about credit ratings and how it plays a role in the function of small businesses. Learners use their knowledge of good and bad credit to role play and determine good credit vs. bad credit in the area of small businesses.
Berkeley Engineering and Mentors
Bridges
This engineering activity gets youngsters working together to design and construct a bridge. Each bridge is tested in front of the class to discover how much weight it can hold before showing any change in form. The lesson plan does not...
Curated OER
Town Meeting - Direct Representation
Students answer the question, "Should the town of Twin Cheeks ban motorized rentals on Thome Lake?" They explore the political, personal, and economic issues involved in making this decision as they assume different roles in this...
Curated OER
Measurement
Pupils create two prisms out of the same paper. They calcuate the number of centimeter cubes needed to fill each prism. They discover the concept of volume.
Curated OER
Learning Number Words
Students practice saying their numbers and identifying the words. They use whole numbers and decimals to practice grouping numbers into different categories. They write the word of the number they are shown.
Curated OER
Castaway or Survivor
What a clever idea! Chemistry learners imagine themselves deserted on an island with a radio, but no batteries. They also have a few odds and ends in their pockets and storage chest. They are challenged to create a battery that will...
Curated OER
Rule of Quarters
Students memorize four key decimal values for quick and accurate conversion. They convert decimal foot measurements to inches and fractions using math tables, computation or memorization. They memorize decimal foot conversions.
Teach Engineering
The Advantage of Machines
Show your students how to make their work easier. The first lesson in a series of 10 introduces the class to work and the way simple machines can be make work easier. The simple machines scholars can find in everyday items are...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
How Can a Dam Affect a River? Activity A
Written for Washington state students in life science, this lesson provides an opportunity to examine the residents of local freshwater habitats. You or the class collects a water sample, and learners try to examine what organisms live...
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Roll Out Fractions Game: Comparing Fractions
Reinforce the concept of comparing fractions with a hands-on, two-player game that calls for a visual model, score board, and dice. Players roll dice to acquire their given fraction, create the fraction using fraction tiles, then...
Curated OER
Open-Loop Op-Amp Circuits
In this electrical worksheet, students design and build a op-amp model to show understanding after answering a series of 18 open-ended questions that include analyzing schematics. This worksheet is printable and there are on-line answers...
NASA
Next Generation Spacecraft - Orion
Emergine space engineers discover the area of complex geometric shapes. They find that, just as a spacecraft is composed of many smaller parts, so can polygons be broken into smaller shapes.
Curated OER
DC Generator Theory
In this online worksheet students answer a series of 14 essay or short answer questions explaining the DC generator theory. The correct answer is available to check their responses to each question. The questions vary in...
Curated OER
Orienteering
Students acquaint with co-participants and identify the practice basic compass functions and orienteering procedures. They also work together to solve a small challenge. Students then identify how the challenge of orienteering relates...