Mix up your lessons with a resource on mixed-media structures. Scholars design a structure out of paper, balloons, and string that will lift a pencil to the greatest height; they construct the structure at a later time. 

Learners explore the science of sound by considering the characteristics that make unique sounds. Through an interactive simulation, they adjust tension and string size and view the corresponding wavelength and amplitude changes. 

An interactive lesson explores the effect of force angles on resulting forces. Learners adjust angles of strings supporting hanging portraits and watch the effects on the resultant force. Vector diagrams provide a visual representation...

Don't lose your marbles — you'll need them for a lesson on neurotransmission. Young scholars build a neurotransmission model using marbles, beads, rubber bands, string, and other elements. After studying specific neurotransmitters,...

Investigate how the equation y = -1/x relates to perpendicular lines. Pupils align an arrow using an interactive so it is perpendicular to a bow string. A set of challenge questions helps learners discover slopes of perpendicular...

Long strings of amino acids fold themselves into stable peptides. The simulation allows scholars to observe the process in multiple ways. Using hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or a combination of proteins in three different solutions, the...

Here's a great way to prepare for the AP exam format. A PDF file supplies the four free-response questions from the 2017 AP Computer Science A exam. Questions involve identifying and processing the digits of a non-negative integer and...

The best way to familiarize yourself with a test's format is to look at past tests. The free-response questions for the 2018 AP Computer Science A are available for instructors to reference. Topics include simulation methods, word pairs,...

How are music and emotion related? Using lesson plan two of four from the Changing One's Tune: A Music Therapy STEM Integrated Project Series, scholars explore the connection between the two topics. They learn to recognize different...

The government can tweak the economy through a variety of tools. What are their long- and short-term effects? A problem set from College Board examines how the government sometimes pulls the strings to control the economy. 

Can you create a rock band? Scholars learn about the creation and transmission of sound in a hands-on STEM activity. First, they explore the transmission of sound using a tuning fork. Then, they must solve the problem of missing...

Catch the fast wave. Using a computer simulation, pupils experiment with amplitude, frequency, damping, and tension of a string to determine which affects the speed of the wave. Learners record the observations to determine their...

Visualize vibrations within the classroom. Pupils see the connection between sound and waves. The learners use a tuning fork in two different ways to demonstrate the waves associated with sound. Scholars see how the sound waves from a...

No need for radians to be mysterious. Scholars use a cardboard cut-out of a unit circle and measure the radius and circumference using a piece of string. They consider the number of radii needed to cover the entire circumference and use...

Don't shoo away the resource on shoes. Given constraints on the amount of leather and string needed to make two different types of shoes, learners graph a system of inequalities for the situation. They then determine the maximum profit...

Find out if it's possible to travel to the edge of the solar system. Learners use a piece of string to model the distance between planets in the solar system. They then use the distances to calculate how long it would take to travel to...

An exercise offers young scholars a coping skill to manage stress or other strong emotions. Learners identify the emotion, focus on how their body feels physically, then pretend they are holding a balloon over their heads, blow their...

An interesting way of teaching about basic needs of different organisms awaits your fourth graders. Pupils take part in class discussions and demonstrations which should lead to a greater understanding of how to determine basic needs. As...

Students measure their smile with a piece of string, which is then measured on a ruler (metric of course!). They take a piece of string and cut it to the length that matches their smile and then measure it with a ruler.

In order to investigate cetntripetal force and angular momentum, youngsters compare the motion of erasers hung from a string. It is not clear what type of Amish toy is needed in the warm up activity, so you may not be able to use it. The...

Sixth graders set up a pendulum experiment deciding which variable to manipulate (length of string or weight on the string). They create a hypothesis, collect necessary equipment, and write out each step of their experiment. They then...

First, second, and third graders explore elapsed time through estimation and prediction. They work with a partner to estimate how long it will take to perform various tasks. One person uses a stop watch to time his or her partner...

Students measure the angle and distance of an arc. In this projectile activity, students observe arcs created by water guns, bow and arrows, and slingshots, then work in small groups and use protractors and strings to measure the angle...

Students go on a nature walk and observe and discuss the living and non living things they see in the ecosystem. In this living and non living lesson plan, students complete a connecting string activity to simulate an ecosystem.