Students will explore thermal insulators through a design challenge in which students study and test insulative properties of common materials after which they will conduct data analysis and use their findings to propose a solution for the design challenge. This lesson includes a student designed experiment as well as a structured experiment. If you have…
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In this unit, students will investigate different types of solvents and their effects upon ink and dye solubility in order to create designs for a student artifact. They will explore basic chemistry principles and mathematics to design and create a t-shirt, book mark, class quilt, or other artifact that will inspire nonviolence in their community.…
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Students will investigate and explore the use of solar energy as a means to heat a home. In order to understand how solar energy can be harnessed, students will define solar energy, explore photovoltaic cells, and investigate passive solar energy. After gaining understanding about the concepts of solar energy, students will build a solar-heated model…
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Students will learn that Earth’s capacity to absorb and recycle water naturally can be altered by the actions of humans and technology. In this lesson students will learn that people and their actions can harm our drinking water supply. Students should get a clear understanding that what happens above the ground can potentially end up…
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Tires and Tracks Build Instructions Physical Science Grade band 3-5 – Benchmark C: Describe the forces that directly affect objects and their motion. Science and Technology Grade band 3-5 – Benchmark B: Describe and illustrate the design process. Scientific Inquiry Grade band 3-5 – Benchmark B: Organize and evaluate observations, measurements and other data to…
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March Madness is an exciting time of year when the best college basketball teams square off for a final tournament. Many students are enthralled by the games and become energized by basketball. This lesson begins by having student view a short video clip, “One Shining Moment” from the men’s NCAA basketball tournament. Students will then…
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In this lesson, students work in small groups to design, plan and create a three-dimensional model of a safe playground. Students will conduct research to determine the specific needs for the playground and design and draw a scale model of their playground which must include a slide, climbing structure, swing set, and at least one…
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In this activity, students will be given a specific set of materials to use as they apply their knowledge of surface area and volume to design a net for a prism that could function like a small backpack. After a pre-activity discussion on surface area and volume, students will address design constraints and the engineering…
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Student teams are challenged to build a cost-effective base-isolation prototype that will prevent damage to a building in the event of an earthquake. In order to effectively complete the design challenge, students will investigate the causes and effects of earthquakes by researching Earth’s composition, faults, and seismic waves. Teams will then choose a design using…
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Students compare the characteristics of simple physical and chemical changes. Materials have many different characteristics and during the creation of their bouncy slime, students will identify these differences and be able to observe them at various states. By using the engineering process to design slime for maximum bounce students will use fractions, record measurements, and…
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