Teach Engineering
Alloy the Way to Mars
Future engineers test different alloys to determine the specific strength of each one. Based on the results, they make a recommendation to NASA on which alloy to use on engines for spacecraft.
Curated OER
Track Traces
Students explore animal characteristics by participating in an animal anatomy activity. In this animal tracks lesson, students identify the differences between specific animals and the shape of their footprints. Students utilize a...
Curated OER
Linear Motion
For this fantastic physics and math lesson, student pairs create a ramp that will transport a rolling marble in order to learn about linear motion. Students use cardboard, straws, toothpicks, marshmallows, and paper clips in order to...
Curated OER
TE Activity: Muscles, Muscles Everywhere
Students study three different muscle types and investigate the affect of space travel on astronauts' muscles. They examine how exercise has a positive affect on muscle both on Earth and in space while looking at engineers' roles in...
University of Colorado
Are All Asteroids' Surfaces the Same Age?
Did you know scientists can tell the age of an asteroid by looking closely at its craters? This final lesson of a six-part series focuses on two asteroids, Gaspra and Ida, in order to demonstrate the concept of dating asteroids. Scholars...
Curated OER
Buzzy, Buzzy Bee
Students simulate honeybees pollinating flowers. In this pollination lesson, students role-play the process of pollination over the course of several seasons. Students graph results and share their graphs with the class.
Curated OER
Earth is Round?
Third graders discuss how Aristotle concluded that the Earth was round. As a class, they review theories about the Earth's shape and describe how life on Earth would be different if it were flat. Individually, they make a moon book in...
Curated OER
Cosmic Rays and Solar Cells
In this cosmic rays and solar cells instructional activity, students read about how cosmic rays damage the electrical output of solar cells over time on satellites. Students use a graph of the solar power output compared to the year for...
Curated OER
Beyond the Earth Part II
Students explore the solar system. In this solar system activity, students use Internet and print resources to research a component of the solar system. Students create travel brochures based on their research findings.
Curated OER
Observing Mealworms and Earthworms
Fifth graders examine the lifecycles of earthworms and mealworms. In groups, they make sketches, measure, and read about mealworms and earthworms. They travel between stations to examine a different part of their lives. To end the...
Curated OER
The Starry Night Time and Day Time
Second graders complete a unit of lessons on the solar system. They complete various art projects inspired by Van Gogh's 'Starry Night,' create a moon phases book, create a moon phase wind chime, develop a timeline of space exploration,...
Curated OER
Tropical Atlantic Aerosols
Students analyze NASA data from the Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer. In this NASA data activity, students access an assigned website to examine information from the MISR on the Terra Satellite. They determine how desert dust...
Curated OER
Tulip Graphing
Young scholars create a graph of tulip growth. In this data analysis lesson, students plant tulip bulbs and use graph paper to begin graphing data on the growth of the tulip.
Curated OER
Blow and Go
Students discover how air can move things by using their breath. In this physics lesson, students hypothesize then attempt to move a pencil 1 meter using nothing but their breath. Students record data from their experiment including...
Curated OER
Force and Gliders
Young scholars explore physics by creating data graphs in class. In this flight properties lesson, students read the book Flying Machine and identify the force, resistance and construction necessary to keep a glider in the air. Young...
Curated OER
Enlightening Explorations, Part III
Sixth graders continue their examination of light. In groups, they make rainbows and examine the spectrum of visible light. They travel between various stations recording their observations about the behaviors of light. To end the...
Curated OER
Water: The Liquid of Life
Sixth graders complete a activity on the properties, types and amounts of water on Earth. In groups, they travel between stations to identify water resources in Illinois and pollution sources. They complete the activity with a field...
Curated OER
Tour De Texas
Pupils are given a budget and an alternative-fuel vehicle. Using a map of Texas, they are given a starting point and determine how to arrive at their destination within 72 hours. They use the internet to research the alternative fuel...
Curated OER
Extraterrestrial Communication: Can We Talk to Anybody Out There?
Students examine the possibilities of communication with other living organisms within our solar system through research and hands on activities, as well as observing and analyzing teacher demonstrations.
Curated OER
Investigation 6 - Collecting Weather Data
Fourth graders collect data for two weeks. They start seeing patterns and make predictions. They can predict what the weather be like the next day and for the next few days. They see if their predictions were correct from the previous day.
Curated OER
Here Comes the Sun
Third graders watch a video on the solar system and examine the role of the sun. As a class, they complete a KWL chart and make different color temperature pockets to use during their experiment. In groups, they make predictions about...
Curated OER
Doing More In Less
Students watch segments of a NASA program called "Doing More In Less". In groups, they examine the concept of human exploration and how NASA has contributed to specific research. They are introduced to new vocabulary and answer...
Prince William Network
Migration Headache
During this game, kids become migratory shorebirds and fly among wintering, nesting, and stopover habitats. If they do not arrive at a suitable habitat on time, they do not survive. Catastrophic events are periodically introduced that...
Teach Engineering
Restriction Enzymes and DNA Fingerprinting
Show your class why restrictions aren't always a bad thing. In the third segment of a four-part series, the instructor develops the idea of restriction enzymes. Pupils learn how scientists use restriction enzymes in DNA analysis and DNA...