Although the methods are all scientific, forensic science was started by police officers rather than scientists, who relied on observation and common sense. Young detectives use many tools to solve crimes around the school in a...

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...

Pupils play a game with coins and then use reasoning skills to develop a strategy for winning the game.

Venn diagrams are helpful in understanding the idea of a set and using attributes to sort items. This basic plan is an introduction with an added bonus of an applet that can be used to demonstrate the activity. If a classroom of...

Students explore geometry by completing a color puzzle. In this shape identification lesson, students utilize deductive reasoning to complete a Google SketchUp puzzle with trapezoid, triangles and rectangular shapes. Students...

Students complete various small group activities to classify items and determine the types of combinations that can be made with these items. In the second lesson, students create menus for a restaurant to help them gain money sense and...

Third graders investigate physics by conducting an experiment.  In this gravity lesson, 3rd graders create a ramp using books and paper which they roll a marble down.  Students utilize the scientific method to predict and...

Learners discover logical deduction by participating in a play.  In this reasoning lesson, students act as characters from a play who's words must be analyzed to see if they are true or not.  Learners perform parts of the play...

Learners try to figure out the strategies to the game Noughts. Students logic must play a part in the process of the game. Learners apply the symmetries of regular polygons. Students devise ways to critically follow a chain of reasoning.

Students examine tree-ring dating and discuss the lack of water the settlers in Jamestown faced. They create paper tree rings, simulate rain patterns, and describe the history of construction paper tree sequences.

Students decide what the most necessary things they should take with them in a survival situation.  In this survival lesson plan students complete an activity while divided into groups. 

Students plan a trip to from 3 to 5 cities of their choice. They design a brochure to travel to the chosen cities. It should be of a quality that it could be used by a customer to decide if they would like to take this trip.

Students discover three lettered postulates that prove triangles congruent.

Students use the Internet to do research on the roller coasters at Magic Mountain Amusement Park. They must use mathematical formulas to calculate the highest and fastest coaster at the park.

Students explore the concept of probability as it relates us to be able to make predictions about future events based upon our knowledge of past outcomes. They have an innate appreciation for probability. Students make a connection...