How many noodles long is your classroom? Find out when engineers of all ages explore measurement through the use of pool noodles. With the noodles pre-cut to certain metric lengths, the activities could be used to introduce the metric...

Learners design a pumping device that will effectively pump fluid through a model "cardiovascular system." They explore the effects of too much and too little pressure on a circulatory system.

Hang a soda can from a string and watch it spin by the force created by water streaming out of slanted holes. This plan provides background information, detailed materials and procedures, discussion questions, a lab worksheet, and...

How many simple machines does it take to make a robotic arm? An inquiry-based lesson plan explores that topic and challenges pupils to build a robotic arm that can stretch, turn, and more. A few questions help guide them in the...

Students obtain remote sensing data to compare and contrast global biomass data with global temperature data.

Students hike a local mountain and examine its life zones. They measure various components at each zone and collect leaf litter at the sites. At the mountain top, students make descriptive observations and complete a handout about the...

If you have ever injured your shoulder, you know it takes a while to improve your arm's range of motion. For this real-world example, young mathematicians gain insight into the world of physical therapy while they analyze a case study...

Learners develop pamphlets for a dental health mentoring program that educates younger students about caring for their teeth. They recall experiences at visits to dentists and consider why some students may have poor dental health.

Students comprehend what makes up the physical community. Read and construct scale drawings and models. Explore the history of infrastructures and how the contributions of science, math and industry have led to the development of their...

Students access prior knowledge of butterflies.  In this butterfly instructional activity, students create butterflies and compare and contrast their butterflies. Students describe the various body parts.

Students reflect on the lives of older people they know, then research and debate the key issues surrounding scientific experimentation in anti-aging. They write a short story that reflects their own philosophical beliefs on aging and...

Earth is 149,600,000 km, or 92,957,130.4 miles, from the sun. Young astronauts create an interactive model to learn the distances between planets. Nine groups, each representing a different planet, are spread around at class-calculated...

Students consider the power of physics. In this current events lesson, students listen to a lecture that explores the power garnered by iPod batteries and how they work.

Young scholars examine physics by completing a bicycle experiment in class. In this gravity activity, students measure the characteristics of different bicycles and compare their different race times. Young scholars utilize a...

Students explore their weight on other planets. In this science lesson, students view a presentation about the other planets and complete a worksheet in which they make predictions about their weight on the moon and other planets.

Students research the relationship between physical activity and the prevention of illness, disease and premature death. Students understand that working out regularly will increase muscular strength, endurance and improve many areas of...

Explore ethanol and how it is produced. Young scientists investigate photosynthesis and fermentation to the concept of conservation of energy and mass. They discuss the environmental and economical benefits of ethanol as a fuel additive.

What a web we weave. Pupils use yarn as the primary resource to create a web depicting the intricacies of a salt marsh ecosystem. They participate in a question and answer session, which leads to an in-depth facilitated discussion...

The great red spot on Jupiter is 12,400 miles long and 7,500 miles wide. In this sixth part of a 22-part series, individuals model the rotation of the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. To round out the activity, they discuss their findings as a...

In this earth science worksheet, students explore and describe animals and their adaptations, including their habitats, physical characteristics, and competing organisms. They also explore and describe how others use water around the...

Young scholars describe how plate tectonics contribute to the development of volcanoes. In this earth science lesson, students examine the map of Hawaii and explore the physical and biological environment there. They write a story about...

Teach the basics of mass spectrometry with a hands-on lesson. The fourth in a series of six lessons explores how mass spectrometry measures the ionic composition of an element. Learners then compare and contrast relative abundance and...

Students consider how to cut their energy use. In this physical science lesson, students investigate the connections between energy use and climate changes. Students compute the actual electrical energy consumption of 2 bulbs and...

Students discover what an atlatl is and how to use it. In this Native American lesson, students discuss the history of the Native American atlatl and practice throwing with it. Students will analyze the effects of the atlatl in terms of...