Purdue University
Simple Machines – Dog Gone It!
How can people use simple machines to solve real-world STEM problems? Learn about simple machines using a hands-on, project-based learning activity. First, pupils investigate and evaluate simple machines. Then, they receive a task that...
Curated OER
Stoichiometry in the Real World
Real world chemical reactions are used as examples for teaching stoichiometry. Viewers work through air bag inflation, fat conversion to water in a camel, rocket fuel combustion, and carbon dioxide removal in spacecraft. Make...
Purdue University
Field Trip Snack Holder
Is light related to insulation? An informative hands-on STEM activity demonstrates how light affects temperature. First, the class investigates how light passes through different mediums and how that relates to temperature. Then,...
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Case of the Mysterious Renters
Upper-elementary kids examine the water usage in their own home, then use that data to solve a case in which a landlady is trying to determine how many people are living in an apartment being rented. Combine math, scientific method, and...
North Carolina State University
Exploring Genetics Across the Middle School Science and Math Curricula
Where is a geneticist's favorite place to swim? A gene pool. Young geneticists complete hands-on activities, experiments, and real-world problem solving throughout the unit. With extra focus on dominant and recessive genes, Punnett...
Cavalcade Publishing
Charles' Law Worksheet
Although it was published in the year 2000, this chemistry assignment is ideal for practicing the application of Charles' law. There are seven real-world problems to solve, and plenty of space provided for doing so. Add this to your...
LABScI
Harmonic Motion: Pendulum Lab
Several times throughout history, groups of soldiers marching in rhythm across a suspension bridge have caused it to collapse. Scholars experiment with pendulums, resonance, and force to determine why this would happen. First, pupils...
Ahisma Summer Institute
The Power of One - Math in a Different Angle
In this 2-day lesson focused on exponents, middle schoolers will cross the curriculum by engaging in science, history and language arts activities. Exponential growth will be explored using grains of rice on a chess board. Exponential...
Curated OER
Escape Velocity
Sixth graders create/use spreadsheets to solve real-world problems, explore patterns, make predictions, select/explain most appropriate types of graph to display data, use information to create product, and have basic understanding of...
Curated OER
It Has Been Rubbish For Years
Students are presented with the problems of percentages and focus upon numbers in contrast to 100. They calculate problems with money and are engaged with the use of games as a teaching tool. Students also interpret data as presented in...
Intel
Forensics: Get a Clue
Although the methods are all scientific, forensic science was started by police officers rather than scientists, who relied on observation and common sense. Young detectives use many tools to solve crimes around the school in a...
Purdue University
Simple Machines
What's the best way to use a simple machine to solve a real-world problem? Scholars construct their own simple and complex machines to explore the concepts of work and force. They discuss examples of simple machines they have found in...
Curated OER
Real-World Projects: Challenges from the Polymer Industry
Two scenarios are presented for chemistry detectives to decipher. Both require the use of an infrared spectrometer and focus on the examination of polymer materials. In the first, lumps in polyethylene bottles are analyzed. In the...
Teach Engineering
Solving Energy Problems
Here's your chance to save the world. The eighth lesson in a 25-part Energy Systems and Solutions unit has young scientists come up with ideas for individual or group projects. They identify ways to solve the energy crisis. Hope they...
Baylor College
Living Things and Their Needs: The Math Link
Enrich your study of living things with these cross-curricular math activities. Following along with the story Tillena Lou's Day in the Sun, learners will practice addition and subtraction, learn how to measure volume and length, work on...
Curated OER
Vectors: How Much Force Can You Apply
This lesson entails the viewing of two videos to get an overview of force and its application. The lesson covers how vectors use force in real-world situations.
Norwich Institute for Language Education
Simple Machines
Planning a unit on simple machines? Save some time and energy with this collection of lessons and activities that explores how these devices are used in the real world to make life a little easier.
Oceanic Research Group
Heat Transfer and Cooling
Astronauts train underwater to simulate the change in gravity. An out-of-this-world unit includes three hands-on activities, one teacher demonstration, and a discussion related to some of the challenges astronauts face. Scholars apply...
SRI International
Nanofiltration
How can everyone in the world have access to clean drinking water? Throughout the lesson, learners read about and listen to how water is filtered, what the filtration process removes, and the best ways to filter. They explore the...
Curated OER
Real Life Chemistry (for the Business World)
In this real life chemistry instructional activity, high schoolers are given 12 problems to solve by converting from one unit to another. Students are given conversion factors to find their answers including finding the number of moles...
Curated OER
Motion: Speed, Velocity, Acceleration and Networking
Students interpret a variety of motion graphs. In this physics lesson, students calculate the speed and acceleration of objects using numerical data from graphs. They apply what they have learned to solve real world problems.
Curated OER
Real Math
Students explore careers that require math knowledge and solve real life math problems. As a class, they compare and contrast classroom math to real life math and explore the links between algebra, geometry and math skills used in...
Teach Engineering
Win that Bid! Selling Your Power Solution
Power up! Class members research a type of power production using a great resource featuring a real-world problem. Groups select a type of power generation and pretend that they represent an engineering firm for their chosen power type....
Curated OER
Chemistry: Real Life Chemistry (for the Business World)
In this real life chemistry worksheet, high schoolers are given 4 conversion factors and they solve 7 problems using the given conversion factors. They find the number of "widgets" and "watzits" needed to complete a "system". They find...