Young scholars explore circuit boards. They determine that a complete circuit is needed to light the bulbs, experiment with the boards to develop strategies for finding where the hidden connections are, and develop strategies that can be...

Learners investigate the school campus area in order to plan the best spot for a class garden. They create a map of the school and research the different types of soil that exist in order to find the best spot. The class takes the...

Students use a problem solving method to offer a solution to one of the water quality problems within the Kansas Lower Republican River Basin. Groups research a problem area, then produce a skit, poem, song or story to illustrate the...

Students investigate how to see, describe and draw faint or subtle features on an object which is thought of by most people as having a smooth, featureless surface. The exercise is important to reinforce skills in making observations...

Pupils construct time lines using historical facts about the development of agriculture. Students research specific dates and events and report their findings to the class. Pupils tape or glue the sections together sequentially in a...

Students describe environmental interrelationships using list of criteria. They are able to explain organism interaction, based on definitions provided. Also, students can use references and worksheets, to describe effects of pollution...

Middle schoolers construct a three-dimensional model of a city using both similar and congruent figures and geometric transformations. City must have at least ten buildings with each building labeled and may be constructed out of paper...

What better way to start your day than with a box of oatmeal? Or what better way to start your geometry class than by calculating its volume? Eighth graders discover just how practical volume computation can be in business and in breakfast!

Pairs of geometry whizzes work together to determine which of three differently shaped cylinders will have the greatest volume. Pupils cut out the three rectangles embedded in the plan, and tape them together to form a cylinder. From...

Junior designers brainstorm the elements that a bedroom might have, such as a bed, television, and dresser. They identify which items are needs and which are desires. They practice measurement skills in the classroom by determining its...

A second attack at figuring out the number of leaves on a tree, this activity makes both an excellent follow-up to version 1 and a stand-alone activity. Learners practice setting parameters and deciding acceptable estimate precision, and...

Fill the minds of your young mathematicians. A hands-on activity has learners fill in a rectangular prism with unit cubes to determine its volume. the exercise provides a great hands-on way for learners to connect the activity...

Model an oil spill cleanup. An engaging engineering lesson has groups using aerogels to simulate an oil spill cleanup (vegetable oil in water). Along the way, they learn about nanotechnology and hydrophilia/hydrophobia.

Young scholars solve volume problems. In this geometry lesson, the class watches a video about clean water (link provided) and individuals compare the volume of different prisms, including an actual drinking glass. Extension activities...

Sew up pupil interest with an engaging, hands-on instructional activity. Learners first design a sports bag given constraints on the dimensions of fabric. They then evaluate provided sample responses to identify strengths and weaknesses...

Introducing ... the aerogel. The first of a two-installment series teaches young engineers about the properties and uses of aerogels. A PowerPoint presentation provides information about this unique material to help solidify the concept.

Can you go ice fishing in the ocean? Learners examine the freezing point of different saltwater solutions. Each solution has a different concentration of salt. By comparing the freezing points graphically, they make conclusions...

What does popcorn have to do with math?  Seventh grade mathematicians are provided an opportunity to develop a conceptual understanding of the formula for volume and to use it as a tool to solve problems. The lesson begins with a...

Explore the concept of volume of prisms using an applet to perform the calculations. The link to the interactive applet is embedded into the lesson plan as well as a link to associated data sheets. Get your math class to the computer lab...

High schoolers identify the volume of cones and pyramids. In this geometry lesson, students derive the formula for cones and pyramids. They calculate the volume of cones and other three dimensional shapes.

Middle and high schoolers calculate the volume of cylinders. In this geometry lesson, learners differentiate between rectangular prisms and cylinders. They use the correct formula to solve for each solid.

Explore the concept of multiplication by using arrays. Classmates use arrays to gain a better understanding of multiplication. They break arrays apart to model the distributive property of multiplication over addition. The relationship...

Middle schoolers construct a basic cylinder out of a piece of paper, then answer seven questions about their cylinder. Questions have to do with measurement, volume, radius, etc.

Upper elementary and middle schoolers describe the various features of unit cubes, such as edges, corners, and faces. They also discuss how to represent measurements of a cube using exponents before engaging in various thinking and...