Curated OER
You've Got Chocolate on my Peanut Butter
Students solve design problems. In this art and design lesson, students create a picture by analyzing two others, and make a prototype of a building. The small group activities call for creativity and ingenuity as well as the ability to...
Kenan Fellows
The Little Stuff Can Make a Big Difference
Great things come in small packages! What better way to illustrate this point than a week-long look at nanotechnology? Earth science scholars explore water quality issues through lab activities, then research new innovations in nanotech...
Curated OER
Packaging Design
Students explore different aspects of packaging design use these guidelines in their own design prototype project.
Curated OER
Papier Mach¿ Monsters
Students view various pieces of art and interpret its meaning in terms of a particular culture. Using papier mache, they create prototypes for a movie sequel in which they represent various cultures. They share and explain their...
Curated OER
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Students describe and interpret the science of optical and radio telescopes, space probes and remote sensing technologies. They explain the role of radio and optical telescopes in determining characteristics of stars and star systems,...
Curated OER
Teen Smoking: Designing a School Anti-Smoking Publicity Campaign
Learners review the human respiratory system and the effects on the human body. In this design lesson students brainstorm and create a prototype then present it to the class.
Curated OER
Apply Technological Design and Scientific Habits of Mind
Students are introduced to the principles involved with technological design. In groups, they use the Internet to research an important historical innovation and how it changed the world. They discover the barriers that were involved in...
Curated OER
Apply Technological Design and Scientific Habits of Mind
Students work together to brainstorm their obstacles in testing different scientific principles. In groups, they are given a scenerio with a specific dilemma and they use the internet to research how to solve the problem. They design a...
Curated OER
A Real-Life Application of Ratio
Students discuss the concept of "aspect ratio" of the Helios Prototype. They find real life objects that are taller or shorter than them by a certain amount. They practice with ratio and measurement.
Curated OER
Design an Egyptian Playground
Middle schoolers are broken up into four groups. Each group will use their knowledge about Egypt to originate a playground for Egyptian children. This will involve brainstorming ideas on paper, building a prototype with Legos or other...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Statue Display Tower
Sometimes engineering problems that seem easy prove to be more challenging than imagined. Present your class with the challenge to build a functional display tower to support a statue using only the supplies available in class while...
Curated OER
Physical Science: The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Explore science through problem solving and learning how to solve the problem of the story "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." Young investigators will learn how to construct a model and design a solution. They will also keep records of their...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Toxic Popcorn Design Challenge
Engineering enthusiasts are sure to explode in understanding as they practice the engineering design process (EDP). A container of "toxic popcorn" is placed in the classroom. Teams must work together to devise a method for removing it...
Curated OER
The Science of Lance Armstrong
Live Strong! High schoolers will discuss some of the reasons behind Lance Armstrong's success in cycling and chart those reasons into four categories: Physiology, Psychology, Equipment, Training/Strategy. They will then choose one sport...
Curated OER
Light but Strong: A Lesson in Engineering
Aspiring space engineers design a rocket launch platform together to explore materials. The platform needs to be lightweight so that it can be transported easily, but super strong so that it can support the weight of the rocket and its...
Teach Engineering
Communicating Your Results
Groups analyze and interpret their data from previous research in order to develop individualized findings. The teams then use guidelines to help determine what aspects of their research to include on a poster. Class members then compare...
DiscoverE
Design a Shoe
Engage young scientists in a project where high fashion meets engineering! Using foam core and hot glue, partnered pupils design and create a functional, fashionable pair of shoes. Groups then put the footwear through its paces using a...
Discovery Education
Market Research and Design: The Headphone Challenge
Watch augmented reality bring classrooms to life. Scholars work in groups to design, build, and market a new pair of headphones meant for children under three. They use an augmented reality app to show their headphones in action as they...
DiscoverE
Heart Valve Replacement
Put your heart into it. Scholars design and build replacements for mitral heart valves. Obviously, they can't test their creations on a real heart, so a box with marbles (to represent blood cells) will suffice.
DiscoverE
Build a Candy Dispenser
Everything in moderation, especially candy. Scholars design and build a dispenser for candy. But, they can't get too carried away—only three or four pieces of candy can come out of the dispenser at one time.
Discovery Education
Hurricane Force
It's important to make sure houses can withstand winds. A hands-on activity has learners create a structure out of household materials. They use a fan to simulate hurricane-force winds to see if their structures can withstand the...
Curated OER
Designing a Playground!
Students design their own playground equipment. In this design lesson plan, students take pictures of equipment they like and make a class pictograph of their favorite ones. They investigate the design, research equipment around the...
Wish for the Future
Wish for the Future
What would be your class's ideal world 30 years in the future? What about 100 years? Use a series of activities to discuss globalization, sustainability, scientific contributions to society, and the global community of which your...
Discovery Education
Jets in Flight
This Discovery Education activity provides the information needed to understand the basics of flight. Before taking off, young pilots learn the eight stages of the engineering design process. Small groups then design and build an...