Take a look with your class at how nature supplies inspiration to engineers. In cooperative groups, youngsters research biomimicry and then develop a system that would help support people living on the moon. Each team also considers...

Sixth graders participate in an online, cooperative project researching trees in their local environments for use in an online knowledge game. They take digital pictures of the trees, bark, and leaves. After completing their research,...

After examining how a spring scale works, teams work together to design their own general measurement device. Reading material provides background information, but there is no part of the procedure in which learners handle an actual...

After reading about marine engineers and naval architects, it's all hands on deck to design and test a speed boat. This lesson is designed for the Next Generation Science Standards in engineering and can be a centerpiece for a STEM...

A terrific lesson focused on the design process. It begins with a presentation, "Design: Solve a Problem," which lists the steps of the process and then introduces the specific challenge: to build a device that measures wind speed....

Students utilize a digital camera to record interesting objects in their environment.  In this ecology lesson, students participate in a mini-field trip around their campus as they take 2-3 pictures of the school environment....

Students work cooperatively in groups to research a topic of their choice. They create a multimedia presentation of the information researched. Throughout the project they generate their own progress journals.

Third graders work in cooperative groups to gather information, create their product and present to an audience. The groups use all sources of media to gather information, including electronic encyclopedias and the Internet. They use...

In a simple but unique lesson, youngsters learn about the history of voting systems. They then collaborate in groups to develop a new honest and consistent voting method. A class-wide poll is taken, evaluating the designs of other...

Using computers, Students work in small groups and progress through the roles of Explorer, Researcher, Designer, and Evaluator as they study the life cycle of plants, insects, butterflies and frogs.

The purpose of this activity is to determine how the location of a place on the Earth (hemisphere) determines what season that place is experiencing relative to the Sun's rays. Day one the students will be introduced to the terms...

Students apply abstract concepts, such as stress, fulcrums, the law of gravity, and the strength of different geometric shapes. Groups of student contractors operate simulated architectural firms to create strong, economical bridges.

In this robots lesson, learners explore the LEGO website and complete a web quest. In groups students work in groups and read excerpts from Robots & Robot, chart jobs robots can perform and report their findings to the class....

Students investigate the ways in which ancient technologies - six types of simple machines and combinations - are used to construct modern buildings. As they work together to solve a design problem (designing and building a modern...

Sixth graders study the food web in a bay. In this food web lesson, 6th graders investigate the SAV- submerged aquatic vegetation of a bay including their predators, and how the organisms eat, have proper living space and water. They...

No one likes kidney stones, but they are very interesting to learn about. The last installment of a three-part unit has learners experiment with different chemicals to see which one inhibits the growth of calcium oxalate crystals (which...

Learners research an animal of the rainforest. They create a computerized claymation to present their research.

Using the sun's light as a source of energy is not a new concept. Give your environmental studies, engineering, or physical science class this list of how humans have used solar energy throughout history. Assign groups a certain time...

Learners complete online research to study geography's impact on weather. In this geography and weather lesson, students research weather in their city for ten days using an online website. Learners bookmark the site, enter data into a...

Ninth graders research, analyze, and orally defend an issue related to the use of geologic resources. They defend their position in written form by composing a letter to an appropriate source.

Young scholars identify animals of Louisiana. They compare and contrast animals. Students work in groups. They write descriptive paragraphs using proper grammatical structure. Young scholars pick an animal within their groups, they...

Students explore, research and examine the causes of natural disasters and how to survive them. They research on the internet world climate, recent disasters, how they happen, what to do if one occurs and what preventive measures to take...

Students explore matter.  In this matter and technology lesson, students locate examples of solids, liquids, and gases inside and outside the classroom, and record their findings in a graphic organizer.  Students listen to the...

Young scholars work cooperatively in small or larger groups to create a structure. They design and explain every aspect of the building. This is a terrific inter-disciplinary unit which students enjoy.