University of Colorado
Is There Life on Earth?
To find life on another planet, scientists look for gases (atmosphere), water, and temperatures that are not extreme. In this activity, groups of pupils become "Titan-ians," scientists who want to explore Earth for possible life forms....
Chicago Botanic Garden
GEEBITT (Global Equilibrium Energy Balance Interactive TinkerToy)
Students use the GEEBITT excel model to explore how global average temperatures are affected by changes in our atmosphere in part two of this series of seven lessons. Working in groups, they discuss, analyze graphs, and enter data to...
Curated OER
Keyboarding Skills
If there is one thing that would benefit young learners for the rest of their lives, it is to learn how to type correctly. This skill is one that they will use for their whole lives. In the age of computer technology, where so much...
Media Smarts
Teaching TV: Television Techniques
As part of a five-instructional activity unit on how television uses technology and film techniques to communicate meaning, elementary young scholars create their own media productions that demonstrate their understanding of these concepts.
Teaching Tolerance
Digital Tools as a Mechanism for Active Citizenship
How is technology a useful tool for active citizenship? Pupils assume the role of technology consultants reviewing citizenship projects. Small groups collaborate to make recommendations about how to incorporate technology to improve...
PBS
What Is Newsworthy?
What is news? What is newsworthy? Who decides and what criteria do they use? Introduce young journalists to the basics of reporting with this media literacy lesson.
Code.org
Events Unplugged
Introduce event-driven programming. Young computer scientists learn the meaning of event-driven programming and how it is different from previous styles of programming. They play a card game to simulate the challenges that occur in this...
California Department of Education
An Online Tool I Can Use
Tools for school—and beyond! Introduce your sixth graders to online tools to plan their academic and professional futures. The fifth and final lesson in a series of career and college readiness activities focuses on a scavenger hunt to...
EngageNY
Modeling Riverbeds with Polynomials (part 1)
Many things in life take the shape of a polynomial curve. Learners design a polynomial function to model a riverbed. Using different strategies, they find the flow rate through the river.
Curated OER
Nuclear Chemistry Project
Radiation has numerous real-world applications, some of which are relatively safe while others can be extremely hazardous. In this nuclear chemistry project, young scientists choose a practical use of nuclear reactions to...
International Technology Education Association
Pixel This!
Did the image I drew match the image you saw? By simulating a satellite and a ground station, teams of two transmit data in the form of pixels in order to recreate an image. They use four different levels of brightness, creating slightly...
Space Awareness
Navigation in the Ancient Mediterranean and Beyond
Ancient texts, like Homer's Odyssey, mentions navigating ships by observing constellations. Pupils learn about the link between history and astronomy as they relate to navigation in the Bronze Age. Scholars complete two hands-on...
Microsoft
Arrays
Zoos are just elaborate arrays. Scholars learn the meaning of arrays and how to create them in Minecraft. Applying this knowledge, they write a program to create a zoo within the game's world. They also complete an independent project...
Microsoft
Iteration
Learn to code, play, then repeat. The fourth of nine installments in the Intro to CS with MakeCode unit focuses on how to apply iterations in Minecraft. Scholars use the Agent feature and have it dance and build a farm.
Curated OER
Digital Storytelling
Sixth graders write a creative story and turn it into a digital storybook. In this digital storytelling lesson, 6th graders write a creative story, illustrate the story, and then use computer technology to turn their story and...
Curated OER
Technology in 2nd Grade
Second graders explore ways to use computers. They practice spelling words using Kid Pix software, write Bible verses and illustrate them. They read stories and illustrate and write about their favorite characters. They create pattern...
Curated OER
Computer Terminology
Students review the history of computer technology and how much it has changed over time. In groups, they examine the different looks of technology from the past to today and are introduced to computer terminology. Individually, they...
Curated OER
Chips, Anyone?
Students identify how computer technology affects their lives, then read a news article about the impact of computer chips implanted under some people's skin. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Curated OER
Technoartist
Students explore the Microsoft paint program to examine artwork styles and recognize certain features. In this graphic art instructional activity, students incorporate computer technology with visual arts while acquiring basic computer...
Curated OER
The Civil War
Learners explore the Civil War. Using computer technology, they create informational flash cards about the Civil War. Students use artwork to depict Civil War activities. They examine topics such as battles, leaders, tactics, prisoner of...
Curated OER
Linking Kwanzaa to Technology and History
Seventh graders use the Internet to research the holiday of Kwanzaa. Using the information, they create a brochure to promote the holiday to others. They email the information to a friend to end the instructional activity.
Curated OER
Front Page News
Students collect and analyze the front pages of various newspapers and perform research on the Titantic tragedy. They choose a name for their newspaper, a headline, gather photographs, and write a front page article. Using computer...
Curated OER
Computer Skills for the Classroom and Beyond
Young scholars discover the concept of telecomputing. They identify the ways it promotes a global community. They exchange e-mails with students in other countries. They also examine the difference between public and private information.
Curated OER
Keyboarding
Seventh graders participate in assessments related to keyboarding. They orally defend what they have learned in assignments involving keyboarding, creating a list of 15 words, reading a news article about computer technology, and...