Students research the possibility and feasibility of installing a wind-turbine distributed energy system for their school. They conduct research, watch an online video, analyze the cost of the project and examine the benefits, and write...

These rocks are HOT! Well, they used to be, anyway. Take young geologists on a two-week journey through the life and times of the average igneous rock. Lab groups work together to hypothesize about intrusive and extrusive igneous...

Students explore photovoltaic systems. In this alternative energy instructional activity, students calculate solar panel efficiency and convert devices to solar energy using photovoltaic cells.

Not all energy sources are renewable, as learners investigate in this unit. Made up of six lessons that span a few weeks of instruction, the unit has learners examining US energy reserves and consumption, using data to draw conclusions...

Young scholars build their own rockets. In this rocket lesson, students create the highest flying rocket they can powered by effervescent antacid tablets and water in film canisters. They listen to the story How to Build a Rocket by...

It's all relevant, really. Individuals use the scientific method to learn more about elements, atoms, and their placement on the periodic table. They conduct experiments using materials common in nature to explore how elements affect our...

Students investigate ideas for getting energy from space. In this space-based power lesson plan, students read articles about ideas for alternatives to fossil fuels. Students define and give examples of vocabulary words. Students answer...

Students evaluate the role of government in addressing land use and other environmental issues. They analyze the powers, responsibilities, and limitations of elected and appointed officials in the national legislative, executive, and...

What would it take to live on the lunar surface? Small groups build model rockets in order to simulate launching a habitat into space and rebuilding it. Divide the class into groups to design and build a model of a lunar habitat. The...

A five-lesson unit challenges teams to design a complex to allow people to colonize the Moon. The teams first work in order to understand the challenge before becoming experts. Expert teams learn about different aspects needed to survive...

Students learn the food pyramid and compare their meals with suggested guidelines. Students graph their lunches, discuss the results and how their choices affect their level of energy.

Students engage in a instructional activity which is designed as a literacy connection to science lessons on the effects of water on plants. This instructional activity uses an excellent Reading Rainbow episode on the effect of drought,...

Learners discuss global warming. In this global warming lesson, students read an article about global warming and list five things they learned. Learners work in small groups to compare what they wrote. Students illustrate one of the...

Students study and apply the Fibonacci numbers and how they occur in nature. Students solve problems using the Fibonacci numbers.

Students list the common properties of acids and bases. They classify substances as acids or bases, by using pH and litmus tests and are able to explain the pH scale. They participate in a lab activity which reinforce their understanding.

Students investigate bioterrorism and bioweapons as ways to transmit contagious diseases. Student examine the way the US is protecting itself from bioterrorism.

Students investigate the disease that is causing the global decline of bats.  In this animal health lesson, students read an article which discusses white-nose syndrome, the number one killer of bats.  Students discuss ways to...

Young scholars read to discover the sequence of events of the LCROSS moon mission.  In this space science lesson, students read an article about the LCROSS moon mission and the events that took place.  After reading, young...

Students study tissue engineering and its risks and benefits.  In this biology lesson students take a stand on a side then research and support their position. 

Fourth graders examine the culture and environment of Japan, beginning with a KWL chart. They use clay and cups of water to construct representations of the Japanese Islands. After designing flags representing farming and food, 4th...

Students research the feasibility of installing a wind-turbine distributed energy (DE) system for their school. They write a proposal (actually, the executive summary of a proposal) to the school principal based on their findings and...

Explore engineering technology with this unit. Students will study how to design and execute two types of homemade vehicles using elastic.