Teach Engineering
The Challenge Question
A research position becomes a modeling job. The introductory activity in a series of nine presents the challenge of analyzing a set of bivariate data. The class brainstorms what the data may represent. Pupils must decide what is needed...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Chair Lift Challenge
During the Winter Olympics, this would be an engaging task to include in your STEM lesson. Design teams plan, construct, and test a miniature ski lift that can carry a pingpong ball up and down a rope line without falling out. With this...
Global Oneness Project
At-Risk Communities
"Waiting to Move," a photo essay by Ciril Jazbec, brings into sharp focus the threats posed by climate change. Class members examine images of Shishmaref Island and the Native Alaskan Inupiate coastal villages that are impacted by rising...
The New York Times
Investigating the Heroin and Prescription Opioid Epidemic
How bad is the opioid crisis in America? Has it gotten worse in the last few decades? Why? High schoolers delve into these questions with a thorough and thoughtful lesson from The New York Times on heroin prescription opioids. Starting...
California Department of Education
Consonance and Dissonance: Creating Intervals for Emotions (CTE)
How are music and emotion related? Using lesson plan two of four from the Changing One's Tune: A Music Therapy STEM Integrated Project Series, scholars explore the connection between the two topics. They learn to recognize different...
Curated OER
Air Pollution
Students research and find information on air pollution. In this air pollution lesson plan, students answer short answer questions about air pollution.
Curated OER
Fictional Narrative Writing in Mathematics
Fifth graders discuss variety of fictional writing genres and connect each to familiar story that has been read, use creative and analytical skills to develop original piece of fictional writing that incorporates math skill, and share...
Curated OER
Population Patterns
Students study patterns of population growth in an ecosystem and why populations must remain in balance. They interpret basic population graphs and suggest scenarios about different population growth patterns in an ecosystem.
Curated OER
Build Your Own Bug
Students create a unique bug. In this lesson about bugs, students use their imagination to develop a new kind of bug. Students use construction paper, scissors, glue, and crayons to make their bug. Students explore the different parts of...
Curated OER
Lessons in Biodiversity: The Writings of Aldo Leopold
Students are introduced to the conservation philosophy of Aldo Leopold as they discuss the importance of biodiveristy.
Curated OER
Families and neighborhoods
Students create their house to add to a class "neighborhood". In this activity on family and community, students read the book Family by Todd Parr and discuss how all families and houses are different. Then, students create their own...
Curated OER
Earthquakes
Sixth graders explain that earthquakes are sudden motions along breaks in the crust called faults. They list the major geologic events including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mountain building, which are the result of crustal plate...
Curated OER
The Little House
First graders read the story "The Little House" and discuss changing patterns and then create a seasonal mandala using a paper plate and crayons.
Curated OER
Interpreting a Flowchart
Students examine insects place in a community. They discover the communities of insects.
Curated OER
Waterborne Diseases
Learners compare symptoms of several well-known water-borne diseases. They use the symptoms and background information on the disease to explain some of the aspects in terms of immune response.
Curated OER
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Students celebrate Earth Day by applying what they've learned about studying the natural world. In this Photo Scavenger Hunt lesson plan, students use a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery and to help them understand the...
Curated OER
Starfish
Learners explore the concept of starfish. In this starfish lesson, students identify the parts of a starfish and how their body works. Learners create a starfish using paint and a cornmeal mixture. They then glue on Cheerios to...
Curated OER
Talking 'Bout Regeneration
Students research the regenerative capabilities of certain organisms. They present their findings at a student regeneration symposium aimed at exploring the possibilities of human regeneration.
Curated OER
Simulation: Yum, Yum Trees Simulation: Yum Yum Trees Conservation of Resources
Learners weigh the uses of the yum yum tree against the problem of conserving them. In this conservation lesson, groups of students discuss and make suggestion to conserve the yum, yum trees. Learners apply knowledge to renewable and...
Curated OER
How Do Plants Grow?
Students investigate plant growth. In this plant growth lesson, students investigate what would happen to plants if they did not have water and sunlight. Students conduct experiments to determine what plants need. Students create a...
Curated OER
Inventing Inventions
Students identify how inventions can be used in different ways. In this inventions lesson students brainstorm different uses as a group and fill out a worksheet.
Curated OER
Lesson Plans for Sweet Dreams: How Animals Sleep
Students explore the sleeping patterns and sleeping habitats of animals. In this where animals sleep lesson, students research different animal species. Students also write and illustrate an animal picture book, make connections about...
Curated OER
Cooking Up an Explanation
Students pose scientific questions about food items and research their explanations. They then create recipe cards with the answers and present their findings in a cooking show format.
Curated OER
Shedding New Light
Students consider why photographs in space might not show stars and research the importance of light in this phenomenon. They research other scientific processes related to light or its absence and create "How It Works" posters about them.