Curated OER
Eek, It leaks!
Middle schoolers construct model landfill liners out of two-inch strips of garbage bags within resource constraints. The challenge is to construct a bag that will hold one cup of water without leaking. This represents similar challenges...
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Water
High schoolers create a water filter according to given criteria. I this chemistry lesson, students evaluate the importance of water in their lives. They develop a book or brochure on the water treatment process.
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Water Quality and Dissolved Oxygen
Students investigate the relationship between dissolved oxygen and organic materials and aquatic organisms. This is a 3-lesson series in which students explore dissolved oxygen and then design an experiment testing the effects of changes.
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What Structural Challenges Do Bridge Builders Face Today?
Students investigate the process of constructing a bridge. They study the meaning of structural force and draw pictures of examples. Students identify the types of building materials have been used in history to construct bridges and how...
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Suspension Bridges
Students explain the concepts of tension and compression, and then state the purpose of suspension bridges. They also study some of the most famous suspension bridges in North America.
Agriculture in the Classroom
A Rafter of Turkeys
How did that turkey get from the early Aztec culture to your table? Learn about the history of wild and domesticated turkeys in North America, as well as their inclusion in Thanksgiving traditions, with a two-part agricultural science...
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Straining out the Dirt
Students design and construct a water filter using activated carbon, cotton and other materials to remove chocolate powder from water. They test and record their observations, and complete a KWL chart.
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Testing the Caverns
Students build model caverns using paper mache or clay and bury them in a tray of sand. They test the models by dropping balls onto them to simulate an asteroid hitting the earth. They evaluate the effectiveness of a structure against...
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Developing Soundproofing Materials
Eighth graders investigate the acoustic properties of materials in order to develop soundproofing products. In this soundproofing instructional activity students research different resources, design and perform experiments and...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Pollution Patrol
Students design and build an outdoor air pollution detector, test their designs, and communicate their results. In this investigative instructional activity students work in teams to design their detectors and use everyday items to...
TryEngineering
Here Comes the Sun
Students explore concept of how solar energy is gathered by solar panels and adapted to provide power to machines, disassemble solar powered calculator and explore component parts, and work in teams to suggest design enhancements to the...
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Compare Fabric Materials
Students identify different fabrics and their properties. They test and observe the fabrics and record their results. They suggest differnet uses for them. They discover how engineers want to design products that are durable.
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Build An Earthquake City
Students work together to build an earthquake city. They simulate the shaking during an earthquake to discover if their structure is built well enough. They discover how engineers complete these types of tests to develop better...
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Magnetic Bookmarks
Students design magnetic bookmarks with healthy living messages. They decide on the shape, length, color, and type of material to use for creating their bookmark. Students write in an "inventor's journal" about their design and...
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Tenochtitlan Needs a Drink
Students engineer a way to provide drinking water using Aztec technology. In this engineering a way to provide drinking water using Aztec technology lesson, students find a way to deliver fresh water to a city surrounded by salt...
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Airline Carry-On Luggage
Students pretend they are taking trip to tropical rainforest of South America, and design and build luggage that fits within standard size requirements for most airlines. After researching requirements, design and build pieces of soft...
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GPS Art
Students design their own logo or picture and use a handheld GPS receiver to map it out. They write out a word or graphic on a field or playground, walk the path, and log GPS data. The results display their "art" on their GPS receiver...
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Catapult Unit
Students understand the need for carefully defining the problem before searching for a solution. They understand the need for carefully defining the problem before searching for a solution. Students compare a variety of catapults and the...
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Estimating With Fractions
Seventh graders, exploring methods to estimate fractions, take notes on estimating fractions, 7th graders write letters to explain the process of estimating fractions and mixed numbers to someone who does not know the concept. Students...
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Engineering: Lego Cars and Light Sensors
Students build Lego cars with attached light sensors. They program the car to enter a tunnel and reverse out when it records a darker light reading.
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So You Want To Be A Mythbuster?
Students recognize the parts used to construct a car. In this mythbuster lesson, students will use the scientific method to complete an experiment with student constructed cars to bust a myth. Students will reflect on what they...
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Castles and Fortresses of the World
Students work in groups to study castlers and fortresses of the world. They study pictures and models of well known castles and fortresses. Students construct a 3-D model of a castle or fortress using materials of their choice.
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An Uplifting Experience
Fifth graders research and complete a graphic organizer about the principles of flight. For this aviation lesson, 5th graders experiment to understand the work of Daniel Bernouli and his discoveries about air pressure. Students create...
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If You Build It, Will They Come?
Students examine the city of Duluth, Minnesota. In groups, they use the internet to discover its current state of urban geography. After their research, they create and plan their own redeveloping of the city. They share their results...