US Department of Labor
Teamwork
Here's a series of five exercises designed to help teens develop the team work skills needed in the 21st century classroom and workplace.
Curated OER
Clay Heads
Sculpting can be a rewarding way to accent a lesson in any subject. This project requires learners to design and sculpt a head out of clay. The entire process is outlined in this resource; including photos and suggested materials. Tip:...
Curated OER
Designing Machines
Students explore simple and compound machines. In groups of four students, they design a compound machine using K'NEX that has a stated purpose and consists of at least two simple machines.
Curated OER
Hot Air Balloon Design Lesson Plan
Sixth graders discuss what they know and what they want to know about hot air balloon using a KWL chart. They then use a wide array of materials to design a hot air balloon that will lift successfully in cooperative groups referring to...
Curated OER
Building Design Project
Students work cooperatively in small or larger groups to create a structure. They design and explain every aspect of the building. This is a terrific inter-disciplinary unit which students enjoy.
Curated OER
Competition/Cooperation Relationships
Students view the PowerPoint slide of a lynx and hare and discuss what would happen if all the lynxes were destroyed. They then take notes on the lesson and brainstorm about other competitive/cooperative relationships as well as discuss...
Curated OER
Tour + Workshop = DESIGN: Presenting Information
Students develop a business card to market them. In this developing a business card to market them lesson, students design a business card to represent them. Students create a logo or graphic design that is professional and catchy. ...
Curated OER
Designing a Mars Lander
Fourth graders investigate how to design a Mars Lander. They design, launch and land a Mars Lander. Students use balloons, pipe cleaners, and tape to design a Mars Lander. Students create a Mars Lander that will protect an egg from...
Curated OER
Math: The Cathedral Project
Second graders take a field trip to a nearby church or other historical building and examine it from a mathematical perspective. In groups, they calculate the seating capacity, describe the window patterns, differentiate types of...
Cornell University
Making a Battery
Don't be shocked when your class has a blast making their own batteries! Science scholars examine a dry cell battery, then design and construct a wet cell battery. The activity guides them through the parts of a battery, the variables...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Fun with Speedboats!
After reading about marine engineers and naval architects, it's all hands on deck to design and test a speed boat. This lesson plan is designed for the Next Generation Science Standards in engineering and can be a centerpiece for a STEM...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Cast Your Vote
In a simple but unique instructional activity, youngsters learn about the history of voting systems. They then collaborate in groups to develop a new honest and consistent voting method. A class-wide poll is taken, evaluating the designs...
Roald Dahl
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
Follow up a reading of The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl with this collaborative lesson on teamwork. Starting with a fun team game, learners go on to investigate examples of teamwork in the story before working in small...
NASA
Suit Yourself: Fitted for Space
If he keeps this up, will he have enough air? After watching a video about spacewalks, groups of four brainstorm aspects of spacesuit design and present it to the rest of the class. Groups create mathematical models of oxygen use for two...
Curriculum Project
Gandhi
Introduce class members to Gandhi's non-violent, non-cooperative ideas with Richard Attenborough's 1982 bio-epic. The film traces the experiences that gave shape to Gandhi's ideas and the actions that eventually lead to the end of...
PBS
Team Work and Planning
Welcome to the Great Marshmallow Challenge. To conclude a unit study designed to help scholars develop teamwork and collaboration skills, groups are charged with developing a free-standing structure using only one marshmallow, 20 pieces...
Curated OER
Musical Activities for Early Childhood Inclusion
Get your movers and shakers grooving to the beat with this series of musical activities designed to meet everyone's needs! Ten games, using an assortment of instruments, bring awareness to one's body, brain, and social interactions in a...
Curated OER
Workshop: Health Challenge
Students conduct Internet research in order to better understand the concepts of sustainable health design. In this design and architecture lesson, students gather data and creat a materials kit that responds to the challenges of health...
Curated OER
Challenge Games - Skywriters
Skywriters is an introductory challenge games from ropes course material. It focuses on communnication, team cooperation, trust, and problem solving. There is a link to several more challenge games.
US Mint
The Growth of a Nation
Young historians explore the identity of the early United States in this four-part instructional activity series. Working in groups of three, students research the political, economic, and cultural atmosphere of each member of the...
Curated OER
Problem Solved!: Design Solutions
Young scholars learn about charrettes. In this arts lesson, students use creative problem solving processes used by design professionals and then investigate the role of problem solving in the world of design.
Curated OER
The Voice of Voting: How do We Judge Design
Students examine various methods of judging popular culture and compare them to the judging of the People's Design Award. In this popular culture and design instructional activity, students research different ways of voting in popular...
Curated OER
An Exploration of Automotive Design
pupils research varied aspects of car design, and create a new design for the exterior body of a car. Students conduct Internet research, respond to writing prompts, and analyze, evaluate and synthesize information from multiple sources....
Curated OER
We Are Colony! Settlement Design
Middle schoolers explore government systems. In this colonial America lesson, students consider colonial settlement needs as they design settlements that can sustain themselves and meet the needs of colonists.