TryEngineering
Search Engines
Introduce search engines with an activity that models how search engines work and the different algorithms they employ. Working in groups, class members then build search queries to demonstrate the knowledge learned.
Curated OER
Gas Law Investigation
Investigators collect the carbon dioxide produced when an antacid tablet is activated and identify what alteration produced the most gas. They also collect the gas in a buret in order to practice precision. Then they choose between two...
PHET
Where to See an Aurora
Where can you see an aurora in North America? After completing an astronomy activity, scholars can locate the exact coordinates. Pupils plot points of the inner and outer ring of the auroral oval and answer questions based on...
Curated OER
Multiplying Whole Numbers and Decimals
Upper elementary and middle school learners explore number sense by completing a list of multiplication problems in class. Learners discuss the difference between whole numbers and decimals while solving multiplication problems. They...
Virginia Department of Education
Pythagorean Theorem
Investigate the meaning of the Pythagorean Theorem through modeling. After comparing the area of the square of each side, individuals cut triangles and squares to facilitate the comparison.
Curated OER
Double Dare Addition!
Students apply basic number concepts and computation skills while engaging in an enriching group activity. Then they demonstrate their knowledge of addition using a medium that enables everyone to show their solutions for immediate...
Curated OER
The Apple Orchard Problem
Students explore various approaches to solving a problem of maximizing the total production of apples in an orchard. In this apple orchard instructional activity, students collect data in order to solve the apple orchard problem...
Curated OER
Calculations at the Crazy Cookie Company
Learners explore matrix multiplication and problem solve using matrix multiplication. They design a table that will display cost and profit for three cookie stores.
Curated OER
The Jelly Bean Problem
Students are challenged to eat some candy as a cell would need to do it. By solving this problem students simulate the cell process called endocytosis. They think about some of the problems that arise when a cell ingests food.
Curated OER
Battling Bullies
Students identify aspects of a conflict situation through a story. They engage in problem solving or identification of an aspect of bullying. Applying their knowledge of bullying, they create scenarios that reflect their methods of...
Curated OER
Island Biogeography and Evolution: Solving a Phylogenetic Puzzle With Molecular Genetics
Students engage in solving a logic problem based on real organisms and real data. They develop phylogenies for seven related populations of lizards living on the Canary Islands.
Curated OER
Constructing a Building
Students work with big boxes to connect big ideas. In this early childhood problem solving instructional activity, students develop social, language, math, creative-thinking, and problem-solving skills as they work together to plan and...
Curated OER
Maxima and Minima Problems
Students calculate the maxima and minima of quadratic equations. In this calculus lesson, students apply the derivatives by finding the maxima and minima using real life application. They solve optimization using the derivative.
Curated OER
Solving Environmental Problems
Young scholars identify a community environmental problem and possible solutions. They analyze the connection between the problem and the solutions and the importance of it to the local community. Students then draw a picture of an...
Curated OER
Solving Using Linear Equations
Seventh graders explore linear equations. They observe the relationship between linear equations an patterns. Students make decisions using information given in graphs to solve linear equations. They perform a toothpick activity to...
Curated OER
The Ice Cream Stands Problem
Tenth graders pretend to set up an ice cream shop in a make believe town of shapes. In this geometry lesson, 10th graders work together to put up an ice cream stand in an ideal location and solve for the minimum given the...
Curated OER
Math Tag
Students play the game tag inside the classroom with three or four designated 'taggers'. In this math game lesson plan, students have to solve a math problem to be unfrozen once they are tagged. When the frozen student has...
Curated OER
Mathematical and Chemical Relationships of Stoichiometric Problems
Students review key words used in stoichiometry such as mole, molar mass, Avogadro's number, and mass - mole relationships. They participate in a series of small experiments to explore solving stoichiometry problems in the laboratory.
Curated OER
The Window Problem
Students identify patterns and compute formulas to solve the problems. In this algebra lesson, students come up with a rule given a pattern, and analyze the relationship between data and graphs.
Curated OER
Fraction Animals
Second, third, and fourth graders explore fraction strategies and division by splitting sets of farm animals into equal numbers. Independently, they read word problems, solve them, and check their answers.
Curated OER
The Journey of a Banana
To investigate the price of bananas in order to evaluate basic counting and number sense skills, your mathematicians focus upon multiplication and problem solving that incorporates social studies in the form of building awareness about...
Curated OER
Everyone's Playing Basketball
To foster number sense and build problem solving skills, pupils will work through a complex word problem. They will be asked to analyze the data given, solve the problem, then share their thinking process with the class. This activity...
Curated OER
What's The Story?
Teams of learners integrate reading, writing, math, social studies, and science in this simple, yet effective lesson. They work in groups in order to solve a ten-step problem which requires internet research, the use of a calculator, and...
Curated OER
Baseball Math
Fifth graders complete activity pages. In this operations and problem solving lesson, 5th graders use the Internet to gather baseball statistics, solve problems and convert units.