Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keep in Touch: Communications and Satellites

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate how satellites help people communicate with others far away and in remote areas. They discuss a scenario of someone travelling to an area with no mode of communication, observe a teacher demonstration, and create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our State Road Trip

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars take a virtual tour of the country of China instead of a state. Using the Internet, they examine the differences between a political and physical map and use latitude and longitude to locate specific places. They also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanic Wrath

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars observe volcanic action using an internet Web site of satellite photographs. Stuents create a portfolio of observable features.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slide Right On By Using an Inclined Plane

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the simple machine known as a plane. They build their own pyramid and identify the role of screws. They participate in a hands-on activity in which they determine the angle in which to make it easier to pull.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

an Explorative Journey Through the Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students, in groups, research a planet from our solar system. They create Styrofoam models of the planets and place the planets on a correct distance scale from the sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Coral Reef

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss life in a coral reef, and view photographs and a computer program about coral reefs. They design and create colorful watercolor, ink, and crayon drawings of coral reefs.
Lesson Plan
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An Uplifting Experience

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the forces that affect the flight of airplanes through the use of paper airplanes. They conduct Internet research, conduct experiments demonstrating Bernoulli's Principle, and design and construct a paper airplane.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raw Materials

For Teachers K - 12th
Students participate in a nature hike and record the natural resources observed. They compare traditional and modern versions of everyday use items, and create graphic organizers that demonstrate the interconnectedness of resources.
Lesson Plan
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Electrical motors

For Teachers K - 5th
Students investigate and experiement with a 9-volt motor. They will use the connecting wire and battery pack to discover fans.
Lesson Plan
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Blowing in the Wind

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify and interpret maps, graphs, charts, tables and political cartoons. Students identify what a compass rose is and review its meaning in relation to standard directions. Students design their own weathervanes. Students...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Fitness for Life

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Young scholars discuss their favorite activities and determine which activities are suitable for older people. In groups, students research the benefits of aerobic exercises and the equipment needed. Young scholars share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Climate Affect Your Environment?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students access the Global Sun Temperature Project website and research the relationship between the location and climate of a participating school to its building structure. They consider how climate affects the type of structures...
Lesson Plan
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Rocketry in Motion

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate why a balloon flies in one direction as air escapes in the opposite direction, which helps them understand the nature of rockets and fireworks. Individually and in teams, students conduct research to create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mussel Identification Activity

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students participate in an activity in which they identify mussels by choosing a set of characteristics. They review the parts of a mussel before and after the activity. They complete a worksheet to finish the activity.
Lesson Plan
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Build a Snowplow

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Pupils design and build a snowplow using LEGO materials. They compete in an Engineer's Challenge to clear a path through Styrofoam peanuts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pressure in Fluids

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students study the properties of fluids under different circumstances.  In this pressure fluids activity students view a demonstration, complete an activity and describe what they learned. 
Lesson Plan
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Measure Up!

For Teachers K - 4th
Discover ways to measure items without standard tools. In this measurements instructional activity, learners estimate how long certain objects are by measuring with a non-standard measuring tool. Students check their estimates with a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Principles of Flight: Flying Paper Airplanes

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate ways to enhance an object's flying ability.  In this model construction lesson plan, students construct two paper airplanes, one of which is twice as big as the first.  Students compare and contrast the two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revolutionary Money

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Examine paper money from the American revolution! Historians study the paper bills and discuss the history of money. How has money changed over the times? Activities are included. 
Lesson Plan
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Focusing on Lenses

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore scientific observations by examining the parts of a microscope. In this optics lesson, students discuss the importance of a focal point and focal distance when utilizing an optical device such as a microscope. Students...
Lesson Plan
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How Machines Help Us Stay Healthy

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students visit different departments at a local hospital to see how machines help peoples such as the CAT scan machine. They build a model of such a machine that shows how patients are moved in and out of the machine.
Lesson Plan
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Wind Power

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders develop an understanding of how engineers use wind to generate electricity. They will build a model anemometer to better understand and measure wind speed. They discover that engineers design wind turbines that generate...
Lesson Plan
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Water Power

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe a model of a waterwheel to investigate the transformations of energy involved in turning the blades of a hydro-turbine into work. They work as engineers to create a model for a new waterwheel while considering resources,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aqua-Thrusters!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students construct their own rocket-powered boat called an "aqua-thruster." These aqua-thrusters will be made from a film canister and will use carbon dioxide gas - produced from a chemical reaction between an antacid tablet and water -...