Teach Engineering
Glue Sticks Bend and Twist
Stick this resource in the "Use" column. In the second installment of a six-part series, learners use glue sticks to demonstrate forces. Using glue sticks, instructors can demonstrate tension, compression, and torsion.
Curated OER
Weave a Wreath
Students follow directions to complete a multi-step process that results in an attractive holiday decoration. In this Christmas art activity lesson, students employ simple measuring and weaving techniques and experiment with the negative...
Curated OER
Modals
Verbs can be tricky, especially those modal verbs of probability. Take a look at a wonderful 16-page workbook that uses think-pair-share, critical thinking, skills practice, and discussion to assist learners in using the correct modal...
Illustrative Mathematics
Who is the Tallest?
A simple question, with a not-so-simple answer. Working with whole and mixed number measurements in inches, feet, and yards presents a problem with many possible solutions. A great activity that challenges the minds of young...
Curated OER
Toothpick Art
Students review primary colors and practice making straight lines. In this visual arts activity, students paint simple shapes as large as a toothpick, using specific primary colors. During the construction of the shapes students are...
Curated OER
The Fall of the Ruler
Middle schoolers determine their reaction time using a ruler. In this Physics lesson, students calculate the class' means and variances. They plot the graph and analyze if there are outliers.
Curated OER
Comparing and Ordering Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals
Create your own fraction kits by folding and labeling paper using fraction vocabulary. Learners then work in groups to use these in comparing and sequencing both whole numbers and fractions. They also create unit cubes and develop an...
K-5 Math Teaching Resources
Math Center Labels
From counters and calculators to pattern blocks and Unifix cubes, this collection of printable labels has exactly what you need to bring some organization to your elementary math class.
Big Kid Science
Exploring Shadows
What's that lurking in the shadows? An activity that demonstrates how eclipses happen. Science scholars investigate how light and distance interact to form shadows. The experiment uses simple materials to generate data and observations...
Teach Engineering
What is a Nanometer?
Teams learn about the size of a nanometer by measuring objects and converting those measurements. A worksheet then tests the groups' abilities to use nanometers by having them determine the size of objects that are too small to...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
What Is a Radian?
Here's an algebra II activity that strives to make the concept of a radian less abstract and more conceptual. It takes a hands-on approach to exploring the idea of a radian and allows individuals to develop a definition of a...
California Academy of Science
What's on a Penny?
As a lesson on scientific observation, have your class investigate the features of a penny and a nickel. Working in pairs, they practice writing detailed descriptions using their senses and a ruler to gather information. This is an...
Discovery Education
Sonar & Echolocation
A well-designed, comprehensive, and attractive slide show supports direct instruction on how sonar and echolocation work. Contained within the slides are links to interactive websites and instructions for using apps on a mobile device to...
Santa Monica College
Introducing Measurements in the Laboratory
We use basic units of measurement to break down things and communicate clearly. The first lesson in an 11-part series teaches the proper way to measure various items. It starts simply with measuring the dimensions and areas of geometric...
Exploratorium
Tired Weight
Take your class out to visit your automobile and use the tires to compute the weight of the vehicle. This is done by measuring the surface of the tire meeting the ground and the air pressure. This is a fun lesson in the relationship...
Cornell University
Non-Newtonian Fluids—How Slow Can You Go?
Children enjoy playing with silly putty, but it provides more than just fun. Young scientists make their own silly putty using different recipes. After a bit of fun, they test and graph the viscosity of each.
DiscoverE
LIDAR: Mapping with Lasers
We would be lost without maps! How are they made? Introduce junior topographers to LIDAR technology with a fascinating activity. Set up a mock city, then have learners operate a laser measure to determine the shape of the landscape using...
California Academy of Science
Building Better Buses: Transportation Design Challenges
Scholars learn about a series of three challenges when they design a bus system for a small town. They determine the bus routes and then figure out the best type of fuel to use before considering the cost of going electric. Learners...
DiscoverE
Design a Shoe
Engage young scientists in a project where high fashion meets engineering! Using foam core and hot glue, partnered pupils design and create a functional, fashionable pair of shoes. Groups then put the footwear through its paces using a...
Curated OER
Industrial Measurement: Using the Industrial Ruler
Students accurately measure several common objects using the industrial ruler. They work individually to analyze whether given objects would meet the correct specifications required for a particular manufactured product.
Curated OER
Body Measuring Activity
Students explore geometry by participating in a measurement activity. In this human anatomy lesson, students identify the appropriate methods to measure human body parts and do so in class. Students create a bar graph from their class...
Curated OER
Measuring Inches
First graders measure the length of pipe cleaners to form worms using rulers to focus on inches. They record their results and graph the measurement of each pipe cleaner. They measure their pipe cleaner "worms" in various colors and...
Curated OER
Lesson 3 Activity 1: On the Trail of Knowledge
Students plot the earthquake epicenter data on the base map of the North Atlantic ocean floor using different symbols or colors to characterize different values.
Curated OER
Making Shapes Using A Pinboard: There-Sided Shapes
In this shape instructional activity, students first use a pinboard and elastic bands to form triangles, then use a ruler to draw triangles on a set of 6 pinboards.