Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Interactive Gumball Machine
Sure, you may be able to build a better mousetrap, but what about a gum dispenser? In a fun engineering challenge, teams must design and build a working interactive gumball machine with specific constraints and criteria.
US Department of Energy
Geothermal Energy
With Earth Day quickly approaching, as well as many science fairs, why not challenge your class to investigate geothermal energy or other renewable energy resources? There are five driving questions explored in depth here, as well as...
Curated OER
By George, I Think We Have It: Bicentennial quarter reverse
Voting is one of the major reasons the US adopted public education. Educate your class populace, they will analyze the images on a bicentennial quarter and think about the contributions George Washington made to the United States. They...
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The Immigrant Experience
Students utilize oral histories to discover, analyze, and interpret immigration and migration in the history of the United States. A goal of the unit is fostering a discussion and encouraging students to make meaning of the bigger...
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Credit as Currency: Ancient World History
Students examine use and principles of currency as it relates to the establishment and continuation of credit and banking systems.
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Rice Farming History
Second graders map the progress of rice farming by using a map of the United States. In this rice farming lesson plan, 2nd graders draw a line on the map from where rice farming started to the progression of its growth.
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Afghanistan: A Rich History
Students study events in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s. They discuss the role of the international community in the rise of the Taliban to power, and consider what can be learned from our country's involvement in Afghanistan.
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History by Heroes
Students role play one of the Presidents between 1877 and today. Individually, they use the internet to research the President through official documents, political cartoons and various editorials. Throughout the year, they are asked to...
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Documenting History: Photographs as Social Commentaries
Learners examine photographs that make social statements. They examine content, symbolism, and their personal reactions to works of art that make expressive statements about social issues.
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American History Operation Iraqi Freedom
Learners consider the responsibilities of American troops. In this Operation Iraqi Freedom lesson, students watch video segments regarding the work of the Arkansas National Guard. Learners research media sources to determine the balance...
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A Statistical Look at Jewish History
Students complete their examination over the Jewish Diaspora. Using population figures, they discover the importance of percentages in exploring trends. They use their own ethnic group and determine how it is represented in the United...
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History in the Making
Students create and perform a skit that demonstrates the historical period and foriegn policy of a particular president. They first complete a diagram of George Washington's presidency as a class and then form small groups to research...
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History of Famous Women
Students explore famous women who have made contributions to the world.
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Contemporary History: Watergate
Young scholars explore the Watergate scandal. In this Watergate instructional activity, students watch a video regarding the scandal and use the Internet to research it as well. Young scholars then interview adults who share memories of...
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Count Your Pennies
Students analyze and compare imagery and symbolism in ancient Greek and contemporary U.S. coins.
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WWII and the Atomic Bomb
Students explore three decisions about the atomic bomb faced by the U.S. during WWII, take a position on each of the decisions, and defend their position. Should a bomb have been built, dropped, and was the right decision made?
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Two Ways of Life
Learners visit Internet sites to compare ways of life of Indians on western Texas frontier and U.S. military men at Texas forts, and draw pictures to illustrate clothing, transportation, weapons, and shelter of both Indians and U.S....
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Social Studies: Micronesian Independence Day
Students pretend that they are visiting a relative in Micronesia and compare its Independence Day with the U.S. holiday. They compare the two countries' flags while older students in grades three through five create travelogues. Younger...
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Public Presence: Rulers and Leaders in Our Lives
Students compare the presence of Roman rulers with that of U.S. presidents in the lives of the people the led. They complete a worksheet imbedded in this lesson plan.
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Measuring a Mummy Case
Middle schoolers practice how to calculate volume using mummy cases. They measure using ancient Egyptian, U.S., and metric systems. They explore how to convert measurements into different systems, and discuss ratios.
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Al Qaeda's New Front
Students view a documentary, read articles, discuss and write about Europe's struggle with strained U.S. relations, increased terrorist activity, a growing Muslim population and the logistics of uniting under the European Community.
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International Trafficking of Women to the US
Students develop an understanding of the problems of the illegal international trafficking of women into the U.S. They locate nations where trafficking originates. They explain their solutions to the problem in short essay format.
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The End of United States' Occupation of Japan
Ninth graders examine and discuss reasons for end of U.S. occupation of Japan in 1952, locate surrounding Asian countries on map, explore changes to Japan after World War II, and discuss how changes in Japan impacted other countries.
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Coin Content
Students calculate ancient Greek coin values as compared to their weight, and equivalence in grain. They then determine their worth today. They convert metric to U.S. customary weight systems.