Curated OER
Gasoline Use Around the World
Students contribute their own personal gasoline consumption data with other schools. They share thoughts and opinions on fossil fuels, its effects and what they can do in an effort to conserve natural resources.
Teach Engineering
Problem Solving
Need a activity? Problem solved. Scholars learn about the problem-solving process in the sixth installment of a 25-part Energy Systems and Solutions unit. The particular process in question is the Technological Method of Problem Solving.
Curated OER
Exploration of "Pillbugs"
Fifth graders define vocabulary terms, identify the characteristics of a pillbug, and create a dichotomous key. Then they examine the pillbugs and make observations and record these observations. Finally, 5th graders observe specific...
Teach Engineering
Exploring the Lotus Effect
The Lotus Effect ... is it not some kind of yoga pose. In the last installment of a nine-part series, young scientists observe the Lotus Effect on lotus leaves and water-repellent cloths. They observe how motion and damage affect the...
Curated OER
Geometry and Symmetry
Students examine tessellations and their geometric properties. The lesson plan and discussions may be used to develop students' understanding of polygons and symmetry as well as their ability to analyze patterns.
Curated OER
Properties of Fractals
Students build a working definition of regular fractal, look carefully at the concepts of dimension and scale, and are introduced to logarithms. They solve simple exponential equations for the exponent both by trial and error and using...
Curated OER
Congruent Triangles - Is This Enough Information?
Seventh graders examine congruence postulates and apply knowledge to triangles in the world around them.
Curated OER
Properties of Fractals
Young scholars build a working definition of a regular fractal, they measure the concepts of dimensions and scale, they explore the concept of a logarithm and they attempt to solve simple exponential equations for the exponent both by...
Curated OER
Irregular Fractals
Middle schoolers study and research irregular fractals and construct a few based on their research. Students practice pattern recognition skills and plane geometry skills calculating dimensions on the Fractured Pictures activity.
Curated OER
The Mandelbrot Set
Students explore the Mandelbrot Set. They are introduced to the concept of a complex number and function in order to motivate the discussion of Julia and Mandelbrot sets. Students investigate fractals and how they are built.
Curated OER
It's So Simple
Students use basic materials to create four simple machines. In this introduction to simple machines instructional activity, students are given four different scenarios that require a simple machine in order to solve. The students use...
Curated OER
Ancient Egyptian Culture
Fifth graders participate in a Webquest on Ancient Egypt. They identify clothing and jewelry, list the steps of mummification, decipher hieroglyphics, and complete a Travel Log.
Curated OER
Maskmaking
Students examine masks from various cultures focusing on the Native Americans. Using the internet, they research the purpose of the masks and various designs. They create their own mask showing their own culture and personality and...
Curated OER
Studies of the Ancient World
Sixth graders, after taking a pretest, write a paragraph describing the difference between Athens and Sparta and write an article about the ancient Phoenicians, describing their contributions to world history. They compare democracy in...
Curated OER
Eureka! I've Got an Idea
Students research the accomplishments of an inventor. They create a web site based on the research including historical, economic and scientific impact of the invention.
Curated OER
Making Good Decisions
Students read an article. For this problem solving lesson, students read an article where they must solve the problem presented. Students work in groups to discuss the issue and come up with a way to solve the problem.
Curated OER
Architecture Makes An Imprint
Fifth graders explore architecture of the world, uses of buildings and discuss architecture as a career. They work in cooperative groups and present their findings to the class. This lesson can be expanded to include a printmaking lesson.
Curated OER
Artha
Students explore the concept of artha. In this Hinduism lesson plan, students read, "Seven Ways to Greet a Neighbor," and "Eight Rupees." Students discuss artha in light of the readings completed as part of the lesson plan.
Curated OER
Taking Apart Electrical Appliances
Students discover that electrical appliances are made up of individual components that work together. They, with partners, demonstrate to others how their piece of equipment or appliance works by taking it apart and examining the parts.
Curated OER
Get a Line on Integers
Students explore number sense by completing math function problems in class. In this integers instructional activity, students define integers and practice plotting them on a number line. Students utilize math functions such as addition...
Curated OER
Ratios
Sixth graders investigate the concept of ratios and how they can be used to represent the comparison of quantities. The lesson is taught using a table or graph to compare two categories of data.
Curated OER
Tree House Escape!
Middle schoolers participate in a role play in which they use simple machines to do the work of retrieving their sibling from a tree which lost its ladder. They investigate how work is accomplished when an object moves in the direction...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Guess What Benjamin Franklin Did!
Students research Ben Franklin's inventions. In this invention lesson, students see the relationship between a need and an invention. Students will engage in a class discussion, read a handout, and play a match the invention to its...
Curated OER
Cook Me Up Some Equations
Students study a variety of math concepts in the context of cooking up a meal. In this math lesson, students calculate surface area and volume. They draw and interpret different types of graphs.