Curated OER
Machine Technology
Young scholars work in pairs to manufacture a product for a potential customer. They interview potential customers and collect data. Students develop a customer interview profile. They manufacture drill drift part to customer's...
Curated OER
Simple Machines III - Pulleys
Fourth graders are introduced to a spring scale to show that the forces on both sides of the pulley are the same. They break into groups to lift objects with fixed pulleys and with multiple looped pulleys and then measure the force...
DiscoverE
Helping Hand
Sometimes we all need a helping hand. Scholars get together to lend a hand in creating an assistive device that must be able to grab a hard-to-reach object. Now that's some help we could all use!
Shodor Education Foundation
Two Variable Function Pump
Use a function to operate on two variables. Pupils look at operating with complex numbers as a function of two variables. The interactive squares the input and adds a constant to it. Learners visualize the resulting output and its...
Exploratorium
Moire Patterns
By overlapping combs and window screening and by looking at a printed set of consecutively larger circles, learners observe Moire patterns, which provide a visual of what happens during wave interference.
Curated OER
Native Americans of the Chesapeake Bay: Using Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Discover the rich Native American culture that existed at the time of early European exploration into the Chesapeake region through analysis of several primary and secondary sources.
Curated OER
Construction Worker Book
Students examine simple tools that are used in everyday life. In this construction worker tools lesson, students decide which tools should be used to solve the construction worker's problems in a manner that demonstrates the Simple...
Curated OER
Units 'R Us
Second graders, using one inch grid paper, create a foot long and a yard measuring tool.
Curated OER
Energy Forms
Students explore energy by participating in a science lab in class. In this energy form activity, students define the different types of energy such as light, mechanical and sound while examining energy measuring tools in class. Students...
Curated OER
Redefining an Earthquake
Ninth graders build an "Earthquake Machine" (a manipulative model of a fault line) and use it to explore stick-slip behavior of some faults and to develop a more accurate definition of an earthquake and its causes.
Curated OER
Making Change
Second graders explore how to incorporate a new type of technology, the cash register and/or a calculator, as a motivational tool for solving real life problems. They practice estimating money and counting back change from $20.00.
Curated OER
Life Science: My Pyramid
Students examine how the school food program compares to the food pyramid recommendations. In this food pyramid lesson, students compile data regarding the food choices available in the school through the lunch program and vending...
Curated OER
Building a Car: Mechanical Engineering
Students use common materials to build a car. In this car building mechanical engineering activity, students build a car using a milk cartoon and plastic wheels. They discuss what mechanical engineers do and what makes a car run.
Curated OER
Scientific Measurement Exercise
Students measure irregularly shaped bones, once using a variety of measurement methods and tools, and then again using standard conventions and metric tape measures. They explore firsthand that standardizing data collection makes...
Curated OER
Fire Safety in the Home
Students discover the importance of fire safety. For this fire prevention lesson, students identify problems in a house that could lead to a fire and draw their own homes that include the appropriate fire prevention tools. The students...
Curated OER
Patenting My Invention
Fifth graders learn the importance of a patent for a new invention. They use the internet to practice typing a classroom patent for a compound machine that their class invented. While on the website, 5th graders choose a month and...
Curated OER
Red Light, Green Light
Students investigate the friction between tires and the road and how it affects the movement of cars while driving. They discuss and define friction, experiment with sandpaper and wax paper to determine which material provides the least...
Curated OER
Work Made Easy
Second graders maneuver placement of the fulcrum on the lever to see how to lift weight most easily. They role-play as archaeologists with the task of lifting a heavy rock from the dig site. They write in science journals about what...
Curated OER
Strategies to Overcome Gender Bias in the Machine Shop: Knurling
Students participate in putting a straight knurl on a piece of steel.
Curated OER
Ozone Testing Tools
Learners develop an experiment to measure the amounts of ground level ozone present in their area. They collect data, access a related website and compare measurements. They present their findings.
Curated OER
Sparky's Engineer: A Story Book Introduction to Engineering
Students investigate what an engineer does. In this engineering instructional activity, students read the book "Sparky's Engineer" and analyze the different types of engineers that are referenced in the book. The students identify tools...
Curated OER
Economics and Literature
Students discuss capital resources and the types of machines their families use at home. They discuss how these machines increase productivity, and how these concepts connect to the law of demand and capital invention.
Curated OER
Exploring the Properties of Matter in the Preschool
Students study the properties of the physical and natural world. In this properties of the physical and natural world lesson plan, preschool students work at discovery tables to see how simple machines work, what happens when items are...
Curated OER
Seismology in the Classroom
Pupils work together to use a sample seismograph. They role play the position of an engineering firm that is to analyze the machine. They discover how engineers develop new machines to take measurements.