Focused Learning Lesson

This lesson will make an impact, especially on scientist-athletes who may have an interest in waterproof clothing! Acting as materials engineers, they work collaboratively on waterproofing pieces of cotton fabric. This challenge is...

Ahoy, matey! Here is an engineering expedition that mini mariners are sure to be swept away by! After reading a brief description and history of periscopes, they work in crews to construct one. Use this activity to enhance a lesson on...

Mosses and liverworts do not have any vascular tissue, unlike other plants. Young scientists learn more about these rootless plants through hands-on dissection and research on their life cycles as they get their hands dirty for a fun...

Many researchers focus on one impact of climate change in isolation, but researchers gain a global perspective when they come together. A timely lesson teaches scholars about the projected impacts of global temperature increases. Then...

Does it cost more to use an electric range or a refrigerator for an hour? Scholars learn how to calculate the cost of electricity in a variety of household appliances. The focus is on the calculations and understanding that even when...

Have small groups in your class construct working hygrometers as an example of the benefits of using sensors in engineering. This lesson can be used during a weather unit when covering humidity or in a STEM lesson as a preparation for...

In the third and final lesson plan in the series, learners synthesize the knowledge they have obtained about food systems to define a problem and propose a solution. While this could be a larger world problem, by keeping it focused on...

Throughout history, humans have been forced to overcome diseases that have threatened the survival of our species. This short instructional video focuses on one such disease—smallpox, the first and only disease to be completely...

Volcanoes are among the most spectacular geological features on the planet. Jump into an exploration of these amazing phenomenon with this multimedia lesson series. Working collaboratively in small groups, young scientists view videos...

The flu has been a deadly epidemic many times in the past. By examining technological innovations throughout history, then simulating the spread of disease from person to person through a classroom investigation, and finishing up with...