Curated OER
Bridges
Ninth graders use model-building to help comprehend the forces and phenomena at work in the world around them. They describe gravity as a universal force that pulls everything toward the center of the earth. Students distinguish between...
Curated OER
DNA Replication
Students construct a 3-D model of DNA. They demonstrate an awareness of base pairs in written work and in a model. Students model DNA replication using edible materials. They record concluding thoughts in their science notebooks.
Curated OER
Beyond the Tap
Students explain the basic properties of a watershed including how water flows from higher to lower elevations and how watersheds are interconnected. They comprehend how the placement of buildings, roads, and parking lots can be...
Curated OER
Eruption
Young scholars conduct an experiment simulating an underwater volcano based on reading The Magic School Bus Blows Its Top. They create a desktop volcano eruption demonstrating where magma comes from and how lava flows.
Curated OER
Eco-Detectives
Students explore natural decomposers. In this decomposing lesson plan, students participate in a WebQuest to discover how nature handles decomposition. Students compare natural methods for decomposition with recycling efforts.
Curated OER
The Salmon Stream and Vegetation
Students explore the ecosystem and food chain by researching Pacific Salmon. In this fish habitat instructional activity, students discover the life cycle for salmon, where they spawn and what they eat to survive the harsh elements....
Curated OER
Mental Illness: Could It Happen to Me?
Students investigate the effects of depression and the brain's influence on metal illness. The factors that may affect a person's ability to develop depression are examined in this instructional activity.
Curated OER
Ramps
Students experiment to see how various objects roll down ramps. In this ramp lesson, students observe weight, size, and material of objects. Students compare speeds by using a second ramp.
Curated OER
Lab for Truss Design and Testing
Students design and build their own truss. In this physics lesson, students calculate the forces and maximum load. They complete a full scale diagram of their design.
Curated OER
Creating the Model
Students comprehend what has been explored in the previous earthquake engineering design lessons, by putting their designs to the test.
They are given pairs a piece of paper, and an empty plastic bottle or can. Students stand the...
Teach Engineering
Cost Comparisons
Our final proposal for the cost of the bridge requested is ... In the last segment in a series of 10, pairs work together to develop a proposal for a city bridge design. The class completes a cost comparison between concrete and steel to...
Curated OER
Germs and Your Body
Students study germs and ways your body fights against disease. In this germs lesson students complete an activity that demonstrates where germs can get into your body.
Curated OER
Your Day as a Cycle
Fourth graders examine a variety of cycles. They take a look at life cycles of plants and animals, the cycle of the moon and tides, and other sequences of events in their daily lives. An interesting part of the activity is how kids keep...
Curated OER
Bird Interdisciplinary Possibilities
Students explore birds, their territory, breeding, and seasonal movement. They research and collect information on birds through writing letters to ornithologists, reading in books, comparing web sites, and observing pictures. Students...
Curated OER
Physics of Roller Coasters
Students study the physics used to design today's roller coasters. For this engineering lesson students complete several activities including designing their own roller coaster.
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
How Can a Dam Affect a River? Activity B
Second in a pair of activities, young ecologists continue to examine the food pyramid of a freshwater ecosystem. They take a look at the food pyramid drawn in Activity A and consider what would happen if a reservoir was created on the...
Curated OER
The Impact
Students study different inventors and inventions. In this invention introduction lesson students pretend that they are an inventor and come up with their own invention.
Curated OER
Functional Homes
Students observe and reflect on habitats built and used by various life forms. They discover the benefits of the "homes" to the creature and its life and apply the natural designs to human uses.
Curated OER
Our Amazing, Powerful Sun
Learners examine where energy comes from and how it can be used. In this solar energy lesson students explore different aspects of the sun.
Curated OER
Environmental Studies: The Power of Wind
Investigate the prospect of wind as a renewable resource. Second and third graders make a pinwheel, answer critical thinking questions, and then attempt to use wind power to wind string. I would be more apt to use this lesson in a 1st or...
Curated OER
Behind the Mission to Mercury
Young scholars read an E-Sheet about the Mission to Mercury. They follow a variety of worksheets and on-line activities that follow the E-Sheet. They discuss several different scenarios regarding space exploration. They analyze one of...
Curated OER
Spider "How To" Make a Spider
Young chefs follow the set-by-step instructions of a recipe and use their prior knowledge of the body parts of a spider to make edible spider cookies. After completing a pre-writing graphic organizer they then write a "how to" paragraph...
Curated OER
How Does Your Soil Stack Up?
Young scholars examine the soil in their local area and create a soil profile. They record observations in the field and the classroom. They create their own display of the soil profile as well.
Curated OER
Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Learners make an earthquake simulator and test their structure to see if it lasts through the earthquake. In this earthquake lesson plan, students make a structure and test and record the results from an earthquake simulator made out of...