Virginia Department of Education
The Ratio of Surface Area to Volume
Demonstrate the ratio of surface area to volume in your high school class by using phenolphthalein, gelatin, and an onion. Intrigue the class by leading a discussion on osmosis and diffusion, then making "scientific jello." Participants...
Polar Trec
Is There Salt in a Glacier?
What can conductivity tell us about a glacier? Groups analyze glacial melt to determine salt content through an analysis of the pH and conductivity measurements of two samples. Groups then determine the source of the salts.
Houston Area Calculus Teachers
Related Rates
Use a hands-on approach to exploring the concepts of related rates in your AP Calculus class. Individuals explore the effect of the rate of change on a variable related to a variable they control. After analyzing the data they collect,...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Discovering the Pythagorean Theorem
Young mathematicians join the ancient order of the Pythagoreans by completing an assessment task that asks them to find the area of tilted squares on dot paper. They then look at patterns in the squares to develop the Pythagorean Theorem.
EngageNY
Differences Due to Random Assignment Alone
It takes a lot of planning to achieve a random result! Learners compare results of random assignment, and conclude that random assignment allows results to be attributed to chance. They also realize the set of random means are clustered...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Issues of Unauthorized Immigration
Unauthorized immigration is a complex and hotly debated topic. Class members read an article that examines the issues that motivate unauthorized immigration. Teams then assume the role of special interest groups and present their stand...
Chemistry Collective
Virtual Lab: Identifying the Unknown Metal (Metals Density Problem)
A metal's density could be considered its fingerprint! A virtual lab activity has learners calculate the density of a sample of metal to make its identification. The simulation allows individuals to perform the measurements as if they...
Teach Engineering
Trust in the Truss: Design a Wooden Bridge
Obviously, a sturdy bridge is the desired outcome. Pupils select from one of four different types of truss bridges, then construct a model of the bridge from craft sticks and glue, making sure that it satisfies certain constraints. They...
Chemistry Collective
Virtual Lab: Gravimetric Determination of Arsenic
Arsenic in drinking water is a common problem in third world countries. Young chemists create a procedure to calculate the mass percent of arsenic in the soil. The virtual lab allows individuals to experiment with different methods.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: Part 1 – In the Ocean
Extinction events have happen throughout geologic history, but only five mass extinctions occurred over the last 4.5 billion years. Scholars view fossils from a layer of sediment during an extinction event and observe patterns to draw...
CCSS Math Activities
Smarter Balanced Sample Items: High School Math – Claim 2
Problem solve across the content standards. The presentation slides provide 19 sample items from the Smarter Balanced high school assessment. Items illustrate Claim 2, problem solving, of the test and are drawn from all the high school...
CCSS Math Activities
Smarter Balanced Sample Items: 8th Grade Math – Claim 4
A math model is a good model. A slide show presents 10 sample items on modeling and data analysis. Items from Smarter Balanced illustrate different ways that Claim 4 may be assessed on the 8th grade math assessment. The presentation is...
Las Cumbres Observatory
How Big is the Solar System?
Find out if it's possible to travel to the edge of the solar system. Learners use a piece of string to model the distance between planets in the solar system. They then use the distances to calculate how long it would take to travel to...
Las Cumbres Observatory
Astronomical Seeing - How Good Are the Observing Conditions?
Why is star gazing easy on some nights and difficult on others? Pupils aim to quantify the answer in an enlightening astronomy lesson. After collecting images from an online robotic telescope, they measure the brightness of images using...
Curated OER
Bison Calculations
Learners discuss how animals are cared for when they are captured. Using calculations, they determine how much food and water it takes for one bison and compare their water intake to humans. They also compare their weight to that of a...
Curated OER
Exploring Linear Equations: Student Worksheet
An activity around linear equations, slope, and intercept is here for you. In it, young mathematicians engage in a whole-class activity while the teacher uses the overhead projector graphing calculator. This activity also focuses on...
Curated OER
Exploring Transformations with Matrices
A page right out of the Holt Geometry book. Use a graphing calculator and graph paper to explore transformations with matrices.
Curated OER
The King's Chessboard
Middle schoolers speculate on the better rate of pay: a dollar a day for 10 days, or a penny the first day, two pennies the second, doubling each day for 10 days. Start by listening to the story The King's Chessboard, by David Birch....
Curated OER
Exploring Circles
Students explore circles using a graphing calculator. In this circles lesson plan, students write the equation of a circle with a given center and radius length. Students find the most appropriate model for each combination of data they...
Curated OER
Coming to Know F and C
Students collect temperatures using a probe and examine data. In this temperature lesson students complete an activity using a graphing calculator.
Curated OER
Area Under A Curve
Calculus students use the derivative and integral to solve problems involving areas. They calculate the area under a curve as they follow a robot off road making different curves along the drive, using Riemann Sums and Trapezoidal rules...
Michigan Sea Grant
Water Quantity
It may be tricky for a young mind to conceptualize that less than 1% of all water on earth is useable for humans to drink. Simulating the amount of fresh water available on earth by removing measured amounts of water from a five-gallon...
Curated OER
Blazing the Trail
Learning about proportions through measuring and mapping distances is the focus of this real-world math lesson that doubles as an activity. Mathematicians complete a course designed to measure and map locations in order to put the...
Texas Instruments
Classifying Functions
Learners explore linear, quadratic, and exponential functions in this activity that makes use of TI Navigator and TI Plus calculators. Using the technology, learners compare and contrast the three types of functions given in the activity.