Seventh graders explore ways to manage their time. As a class, they brainstorm time-wasters that keep them from their responsibilities. In teams, they design one time-saver for each time-waster. Afterward, they design a commercial based...

Fourth graders participate in a simulation in which they explain the problems of operating a planetary rover.

A scenario and background information are provided for two different open-ended experiments that experienced chemistry classes can perform toward the end of the school year. In the first, they design a method for testing flakes of paint...

Students discuss the design of experiments to determine how much and how fast rotifers feed and design experiments with a lab partner and in small collaborative groups. They then collect data from experiments and present results of...

Students read an article about the use of breast milk and formula milk in developing countries and answer comprehension questions. In groups, they recall facts from the article and discuss how Nestle is being boycotted in certain areas...

Sixth graders explore the periodic table of elements. Using given websites, 6th graders explore the history of the periodic table and its design. Students role play, writing a journal entry, as if they were the author of the periodic table.

Sixth graders investigate unit pricing to find which cup of coffee is a better buy. They use ratio and proportions to solve problems involving a change of scale in drawings, maps, recipes, etc. Students determine the unit cost of items...

Students study weather and define the appropriate dress for various weather patterns. In this weather and clothing lesson, students discuss wearing appropriate clothes for specific weather. Students use the weather board to determine the...

Students practice problem solving skills and experimental design. They build a vehicle that can traverse "glacial" ice capable of carrying a specific load and glide smoothly, creating as little effort as possible for the skier pulling...

Students explore the design process. They discuss why new products are made, examine backscratchers brought in from home and discuss why it is a useful device, and working with a partner draw and construct a backscratcher.

Students create wrapping clothes using paper or cloth scraps being sure to find or make geometric shapes. They create a visually balanced composition including symmetry,and repeated patterns.

Students choose a math fact or number sentence to illustrate. They then use KidPix to illustrate a story problem for the math fact or number sentence using pictures, stamps, numbers, and symbols.

Students study current news articles for the continuing practice of female infanticide in India. They discuss the devaluation of females in this country. Students brainstorm and evaluate solutions to this problem. Students design a...

Fourth graders examine how to deal with the amount of trash in their community. They discover alternate ways of managing waste. They develop their own solutions to the problem.

Students discover ways to conserve energy in their homes.  In this energy efficiency instructional activity students analyze a set of data and design a solution that results in higher energy efficiency.

Students create a scale model of a cafeteria. In this scale activity, groups improve their actual school cafeteria layout by taking measurements of the structure and redesigning furniture and food serving lines. They create a scale...

Young scholars review the human respiratory system and the effects on the human body.  In this design instructional activity students brainstorm and create a prototype then present it to the class.     

Students examine the problem of groundwater pollution. In groups, they develop a solution to solve the problem of a local polluted water source. They also practice measuring the space between sediment particles and the rate of water flow.

Students are given the task of designing an apartment. In groups, they practice estimating the area and perimeter of different shapes. After designing their space, they apply the same formulas to solving real-world story problems.

Eighth graders use the Internet to research demographics of certain areas. They use the U.S. Census Bureau's website to help them gather information. They use their data to find a solution to a hypothetical problem.

Operating a vehicle remotely can be difficult, especially when the vehicle is on another planet. Young engineers get a feel for some of the real-world challenges as they work to program their rovers (blindfolded group members)...

Designed for learners with autism, this set of worksheets prompts students to design their own fantasy characters as a way of identifying emotional problems and solutions they might face on a daily basis.

If Microsoft wanted to take over Apple, how many shares would they need to break even? This is an ideal task for seventh graders who are studying proportional relationships and applying them to real-world scenarios. Use it as an...