Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Lab
Create three dimensional objects in an applied science lesson plan. The goal is for your class to recognize, compare, and model shapes. Using cookie cutters and clay or play dough, they create models for three-dimensional shapes.
Curated OER
Circles to Spheres
Students investigate circles and spheres. In this space shapes lesson, students compare and contrast two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. Students investigate the relationship between plane and space shapes.
Space Awareness
What is a Constellation
Why do some stars in a constellation appear brighter than others? Using a get-up-and-move astronomy activity, scholars explore perspective and the appearance of constellations in the sky while developing an understanding of the...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Lab
Students investigate topology. In this Applied Science lesson students explore higher, more abstract mathematics using tangles. Students make topologically related shapes.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math (K) Lab
In this shape instructional activity, learners cut out tangram shapes and create different pictures with them. They look at 3-D shapes as well. There is a nice, hands-on component built into this instructional activity.
American Museum of Natural History
Thinking in the Three Dimensions
Discover different dimensions with paper folding. Pupils first read about zero, one, two, and three dimensions, and then learn about the fourth dimension, time. They then use origami to create models of shapes in three dimensions and use...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
The DNA Molecule Is Shaped like a Twisted Ladder
One of the first models of DNA appeared to be a triple helix. Young scientists learn about the many scientists who worked to find the shape of DNA. They observe multiple models, tests, and experiments to understand the conclusions. An...
DiscoverE
LIDAR: Mapping with Lasers
We would be lost without maps! How are they made? Introduce junior topographers to LIDAR technology with a fascinating activity. Set up a mock city, then have learners operate a laser measure to determine the shape of the landscape using...
Curated OER
Soft Sculpture Birds
Art can mimic life, and animals are always interesting subjects. Learners create large soft sculptures (stuffed) birds using paper, paint, and other basic collage materials. They view images of birds, and discuss bird traits and shapes....
Curated OER
Introduction to Minerals
Young scholars discover how crystal structures go together to create minerals. In this earth science lesson, students work in groups to create 3-dimensional shapes of crystals that they then put together in a compact structure.
Curated OER
Tomato Exploration
Create tomatoes in 15-20 minutes using this fun and interactive lesson plan! Learners listen to a book about tomatoes (recommendations listed), and focus on the vocabulary word tomato. They count the syllables...
California Academy of Science
Fish Forms
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you can add art to any lesson! While little learners are discovering why fish have specific body parts such as, scales, fins, and gills, they start making three-dimensional fish forms. Children...
Curated OER
Papier-Mâché Globe
Paper mache projects are great for using up paper from the recycle bin. Give your class the chance to create a three-dimensional globe out of paper mache. They'll work to make their globes as accurate as possible, adding proper colors...
Curated OER
Shape Shifters- Trees and the Environment
Young scholars make a tree sculpture. In this trees and the environment lesson, students learn about the parts of a tree, discuss what a tree needs in order to grow, find images of trees in art and nature, use various materials to create...
Curated OER
Planet/Constellation Mobile
Young scholars construct three-dimensional solar system mobiles.
Curated OER
Sun, Shadows, Surface Structure...and the Face on Mars
Students use light and shadow information to make inferences regarding the three dimensional shapes of specific objects photographed on the surface of Mars. Limitations of the of the data provided are discussed and entries made into the...
University of Colorado
Patterns and Fingerprints
Human fingerprint patterns are the result of layers of skin growing at different paces, thus causing the layers to pull on each other forming ridges. Here, groups of learners see how patterns and fingerprints assist scientists in a...
Curated OER
Slimy Cells
Students create three-dimensional cell models. They may choose to make either a plant or animal cell but must use a Ziploc bag as the cell membrane, slime for the cytoplasm, and strawberry baskets for the cell wall if making a plant...
Curated OER
Symmetry that is Basic and Beautiful
Learners explore lines of symmetry. In this symmetry lesson, students divide and combine shapes along basic lines of symmetry. Learners explore symmetry in real life objects.
Curated OER
No Edge, No Center -- Exploring the Shape of Our Universe
Students examine various "spaces" (including ones that are one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional). For each space, they will examine what it means to have or not have an edge, or to be finite or infinite.
Curated OER
Protein Puzzles
Learners examine the concept of protein structure. They read an article, construct a three-dimensional model of an insulin protein, take a quiz, conduct Internet research, and answer discussion questions.
Curated OER
CD Snowman
Students design and produce snowmen. In this winter instructional activity, students use CD's to create 3 dimensional snowmen. Students discuss the senses of sight and touch as well as compare their craft snowmen to a real...
Cornell University
Constructing and Visualizing Topographic Profiles
Militaries throughout history have used topography information to plan strategies, yet many pupils today don't understand it. Scholars use Legos and a contour gauge to understand how to construct and visualize topographic profiles. This...
Biology Junction
Biochemistry of Cells
Chemistry and biology work hand in hand, without one you literally wouldn't have the other. Using a presentation, individuals learn about plant cells, animal cells, cell responses, macromolecules, DNA bases, and so much more. A worksheet...