TED-Ed calls batteries a "triumph of science." They allow electronics to operate "without anchoring us to an infernal tangle of power cables." The activities above take learners from simple circuits to an electrifying design challenge.

Tips:

Scissors may be used instead of wire strippers, but may take extra practice to strip the wire. Select a flashlight that can be easily disassembled so that the lightbulb can be removed. Also, replacing flashlights with lightbulbs may be more cost effective.

NGSS alignment:

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering) 2. Developing and using models 6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

AC Lane

June 11, 2017

8th grade, 9th grade, LOW TECH, MATHEMATICS, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, DESIGN CHALLENGE, ENGINEERING, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY

BubbleSci

AC Lane

June 11, 2017

8th grade, 9th grade, LOW TECH, MATHEMATICS, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, DESIGN CHALLENGE, ENGINEERING, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY

1) ScienceBuddies.org Lesson

2) Lesson by University of Wisconsin

3) KidsDiscover.com Ideas

4) BabbleDabbleDo.com Lesson

5) TED-Ed Lesson

ESTIMATED COST:

$0.27

PER STUDENT

Recommended materials:

different types of soap (dish soap, hand soap, bubble bath, etc.), glycerin or corn syrup, items to make bubble wands (pipe cleaners, straws, etc.), measuring tools (cups, spoons, droppers, etc.), stopwatch (or smartphone app), distilled water, containers like cups or empty bubble solution bottles for students to test and keep their solutions.

Description:

Blowing bubbles may seem like a simple or childish pastime. However, blowing a bubble is packed with STEM concepts from physics to geometry to art (with that STEM becomes STEAM!). The lessons provided above allow teachers to take this activity in many directions to suit their instructional needs. For an engineering route, set up design challenges for the bubble wand and the solution. For a math route, study shapes, ratios or volume calculations. For a physics or chemistry route, experiment with air speed, solutions, surface tension and more.

Tips:

If glycerin is difficult to find, corn syrup can be used instead. Also, your local dollar store may carry small bubble containers with wands as party or wedding favors, which make great containers to store students' final solutions.

NGSS alignment:

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering) 2. Developing and using models 3. Planning and carrying out investigations 4. Analyzing and interpreting data 5. Using mathematics and computational thinking 6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 7. Engaging in argument from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

AC Lane

May 7, 2017

10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade, DESIGN CHALLENGE, ENGINEERING, LOW TECH, PHYSICS

Sink, Float, Hover Challenge

AC Lane

May 7, 2017

10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade, DESIGN CHALLENGE, ENGINEERING, LOW TECH, PHYSICS

1) MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY LESSON PLAN 1

2) MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY LESSON PLAN 2

3) STUDENT HANDOUTS

4) TED-ED LESSON

ESTIMATED COST:

$0.05

PER STUDENT

Required materials:

small containers with lids (film canisters work best), variety of small, heavy objects (coins, washers, marbles, etc.), variety of small, lightweight objects (corks, beads, Styrofoam, etc.), rubber bands (optional to keep lid on canisters or modify distribution of mass), and large containers of water

Description:

Students will learn about density, buoyancy, and how submarines dive. Students will design and create a vessel that is able to sink, hover, and float.

Tips:

Many craft, household or classroom items that you already have will work for this activity and can possibly be reused. Items listed here have already been tested with students as a part of this lesson. Students should be given access to as many or as few materials as you can afford. This allows students to be more creative.

NGSS alignment:

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering) 2. Developing and using models 3. Planning and carrying out investigations 4. Analyzing and interpreting data 6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

AC Lane

April 23, 2017

11th grade, 10th grade, TECHNOLOGY, 12th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade, DESIGN CHALLENGE, ENGINEERING, PHYSICS, LOW TECH

On Target Challenge

AC Lane

April 23, 2017

11th grade, 10th grade, TECHNOLOGY, 12th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade, DESIGN CHALLENGE, ENGINEERING, PHYSICS, LOW TECH

1) NASA/Design Squad Lesson Plan

2) PBS Kids Build Site

3) TED-Ed Lesson

Estimated cost:

$0.10

per student

Required materials:

zip line (wire or fishing line), index card, marbles, masking tape, paper clips, paper cups, scissors, a Target (can be drawn on a piece of paper)

Description:

This activity turns a paper cup into something that can zip down a line and drop a marble onto a target. Just as the success of NASA's LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) depends on hitting the crater exactly, success in this activity depends on being able to hit the target accurately and consistently. As students test their designs, encourage them to find ways to make it work better.

Tips:

A few of the items needed for this activity are reusable or can be replaced by classroom or household items you already have, saving you even more money!

NGSS Alignment:

2. Developing and using models 3. Planning and carrying out investigations