Join CINSAM virtually for FREE, fun, hands-on STEM activities that you can do in the classroom or right at home! We'll Zoom in live to your learning space and guide you and your student(s) through engaging, educational lessons. STEM2U lessons are targeted to elementary and middle school grades.
Before every lesson, you'll be equipped with:
Your students get a fun change of pace that helps lock in the lesson...
and YOU get to add some tried-and-true teaching activities to your toolbox. WIN-WIN!
Pick a time that works for you and...
Description:
Your favorite lesson is back with updated criteria and constraints! Join us as we introduce students to the Engineering Design Process with this engaging lesson. Students create a name tag with specific criteria and constraints, including a movable part, a shape/design that represents an interest of the student, the ability to hold a pencil and so much more!
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: 3-5 Engineering Design
SEP: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
CCC: Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World
Description:
The perfect interdisciplinary lesson to get students intrigued about animal adaptations. Students have the opportunity to make sense of the data they collect by analyzing it in charts and graphs. This lesson is a great integration of Science and Math!
Materials Needed:
Per group:
Per student:
Standards Connection:
DCI: LS4.B: Natural Selection
SEP: Planning and Carrying out Investigations
CCC: Cause and Effect
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Math Connections
KY.3.MD.3: Investigate questions involving categorical data.
Description:
For thousands of years, humans have been harnessing the power of water. In this lesson, students will learn how water is used to create electricity, then design and test their own water wheel.
Materials Needed (per student or group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.A Definitions of Energy
SEP: Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
What’s better than Putt-Putt? SCIENCE and PUTT-PUTT! Students will be challenged to design and build a putt-putt hole that allows for optimal energy transfer! Before doing this, we will explore different materials to discover which material causes a golf ball to travel the longest distance after collision and changing direction.
Materials Needed (per group):
For Collision Tests:
For Putt-Putt Engineering:
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigation
CCC: Energy and Matter in Systems
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
Students will engineer a descending marble maze obstacle course on the wall using everyday materials. With a focus on potential and kinetic energy, students zoom through their Waller Coaster pointing out different types of energy.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.A Definition of Energy
SEP: Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
Make circuits come alive this spooky season as students build their own festive flashlights. Using festive cut-outs, they can watch their flashlights come to life as shadows dance on the walls of the classroom.
Materials Needed (per student or group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
SEP: Plan and Carry Out Investigation
CCC: Energy and Matter in Systems
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
Students will build their own Magnetic Battlefield Finders after learning all about the awesome invisible force magnets have! Their partners will try to hide magnets among other items in the battlefield to test the strength and design of each Magnetic Battlefield Finder.
Materials Needed:
Per partner group:
Per student (for Magnet Inspector Detector Devices):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS2.B Types of Interactions
SEP: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
CCC: Interdependence of Science, Engineering, and Technology
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
We are heating things up this winter with this X Games lesson. Students dive into potential and kinetic energy while they are designing a pair of skis for their competitor that allows them to travel the farthest distance.
Materials Needed:
Per student:
Materials to have available:
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.A Definition of Energy
SEP: Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Energy and Matter
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Download or Print the Fall 2024 Schedule & Lesson Details (PDF)
This schedule is subject to change. Lessons will not be held on 10/9, 10/16, 11/6, 11/20, 11/27, or 12/4. Please check back regularly for updates.
Description:
How do computers talk to one another? They transmit information through a code of 0s and 1s called binary. Students will learn about binary code and will create a bracelet of their initials in binary made out of beads.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will work to demonstrate their skills on the greatest cup stacking challenge while adhering to the criteria and constraints given to them. They will also dive into beginner-level unplugged coding!
Materials Needed:
Description:
Ready for an Escape Room challenge? Students will use logic and reasoning to find clues to unlock the State of Matter digital breakout puzzle.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Learn about the importance of the Earth’s most precious resource - water! Students will see first-hand how little fresh water there is on Earth and how to create their own filtration system to help clean it.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
ESS3.A Natural Resources
ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Systems and System Models
Description:
Students will learn about impact craters as they create their own and measure the destruction caused by them. They will test various sized meteors and compare their impact. Students will also create variable situations for meteors and record data on the impact of those variables.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.A Definitions of Energy
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Make observations to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of a phenomenon or to test a design solution.
CCC: Energy and Its Matter: Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
Students will work in teams to discover and build structures that demonstrate how engineers construct buildings to survive powerful forces such as earthquakes.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
In this lesson, students get hands-on with the gritty details of how rocks tumble in a river. They'll be tearing up construction paper, playing the role of a river, and figuring out why beaches end up covered in sand. It's not your typical class—it's more like a rock 'n' roll investigation!
Materials Needed (per group of 3-4 students):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ESS2.A: Earth Materials and Systems – Wind and water can change the shape of the land.
SEP: Developing Models – Develop a model to represent patterns in the natural world.
CCC: Stability and Change – Things may change slowly or rapidly.
Description:
Water is everywhere and it is our planet’s most valuable resource. Students will learn just how little available water humans have and the importance of keeping it clean when they are presented with an issue of our city’s water being contaminated. They will have to work together to learn ways our water could become contaminated, how we can prevent it from happening and most importantly, how to clean the sample they have been given of the contaminated water.
*This is lesson 1 of 2 of a mini water pollution unit. Classes are encouraged to join us for both weeks, but it is not mandatory.
Materials Needed (per group):
*Teacher preparation tips:
Standards Connection:
DCI: ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes – Nearly all of Earth’s available water is in the ocean. Most fresh water is in glaciers or underground; only a tiny fraction is in streams, lakes, wetlands, and the atmosphere.
SEP: Planning and carrying out investigations – Conduct an investigation using fair tests in which variables are controlled and the number of trials considered.
CCC: Scale, Proportion and Quantity – Natural objects and/or observable phenomena exist from the very small to the immensely large.
Description:
Bring the environment into your classroom as students create and investigate models of the greenhouse effect and compare them to our atmosphere.
Materials Needed:
Per group:
Standards Connection:
DCI: ESS3.C: Human Impact on Earth Systems – Human activities in agriculture, industry, and everyday life have had major effects on the land, vegetation, streams, ocean, air, and even outer space.
SEP: Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information – Obtain and combine information from books and/or other reliable media to explain phenomena or solutions to a design problem.
CCC: System and System Models – A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.
Description:
Do you have what it takes to land a rocket on the moon or another planet? Students will build their straw rockets and then investigate the effect of different angles on the trajectory of their rockets. This lesson has a great connection to elementary measurement and geometry standards.
Materials Needed:
Per student:
Per group of 3 to 6 students:
Standards Connection:
DCI: ESS1.B Earth and the Solar System - The movement of the Earth, Sun, and Moon cause observable patterns.
SEP: Plan and carry out an investigation - Make observations to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of a phenomenon or to test a design solution.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World - Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones to increase their benefit, to decrease known risks, and to meet social demands.
Description:
Designing a device to land on the moon is a tough challenge, but can your students also account for the thrust a design needs to have a safe lunar landing?
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS2.B Types and Interactions
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
CCC: System and System Models
Description:
Students will design a device to grab ocean pollution from the water.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
SEP: Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information: Obtain and combine information to explain phenomena or solutions to a design problem.
CCC: Science Addresses Questions About the Natural and Material World: Science findings are limited to questions that can be answered with empirical evidence.
Description:
Let’s get rockin’ with hands-on learning about types of rocks, and weathering and erosion!
Standards Connection:
DCI:
ESS2.A Earth Materials and Systems
ESS2.C The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Patterns
Description:
Students will design a working model to demonstrate how Earth rotates and revolves in the solar system.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence using fair tests.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will first learn about the Apollo moon missions and their landing sites. Then, students will be challenged to design, build, and test a contraption that can deposit a moon rover into the middle of the Apollo Impact Crater.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ESS1.B Earth and the Solar System - The movement of the Earth, Sun, and Moon cause observable patterns.
SEP: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions - Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.
CCC: System and System Models - A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
While space travel is growing, humans must find a way to live safely on other planets without risking harmful exposure to UV rays. Students will explore designs to keep space travelers safe from direct UV rays.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS4.A Wave Properties
PS4.B Electromagnetic Radiation
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Patterns
Description:
Students will learn about the importance and cause of the autumnal equinox. They will then build their own sundial and explore how it works.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will design and build a volcano focusing on the physical and chemical changes that occur within the volcano during an eruption.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS1-4 Construct an argument with evidence that some changes caused by heating or cooling can be reversed and some cannot.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations in K-2 builds on prior experiences and processes to simple investigations.
CCC: Energy and Matter: Objects may break into smaller pieces and be put together into larger pieces or may change shapes.
Description:
For thousands of years, humans have been harnessing the power of water. In this lesson, students will learn how water is used to create electricity, then design and test their own water wheel.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.A Definitions of Energy - Energy can be moved from place to place by moving objects.
SEP: Constructing explanations and designing solutions - Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.
CCC: Energy and Matter - Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
Description:
Students will be challenged to construct a model of the James Webb Telescope and then design a way to pack it and deploy it using only string and tape.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will learn about alternative energy sources as they design and build working wind turbines. Students will test various structures within their turbines to create the most effective design.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
ESS3.A Natural Resources
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Cause and Effect
Description:
This lesson will serve as an introduction to criteria and constraints and will allow students time to focus on the steps of the Engineering Design Process. Students will be following criteria and constraints to complete a design challenge.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: 3-5 Engineering Design: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution.
SEP: Asking Questions and Defining Problems: Specifying relationships between variables and clarifying arguments and models.
CCC: Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World: The uses of technologies and limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values.
Description:
Students will explore balanced and unbalanced forces while they create balloon-powered cars. Students will get to experience Newton’s third law firsthand as they work to get their car to move.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will take their tower-building skills to new heights with this challenge. Not only will they construct towers with limited materials, but they will have the added challenge of supporting a load-bearing bucket!
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: 3-5 Engineering Design: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Carry out investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World: The uses of technologies and limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values.
Description:
Learn about the importance of the Earth’s most precious resource - water! Students will see first-hand how little fresh water there is on Earth and how to create their own filtration system to help clean it.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
ESS3.A Natural Resources
ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Systems and System Models
Description:
Students will work in teams to discover and build structures that demonstrate how engineers construct buildings to survive powerful forces such as earthquakes.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Feeling lucky enough to catch a leprechaun? Join us as we put engineering to the ultimate test when we design traps to catch the sneaky little leprechauns.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS2.B Types of Interactions
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Scale, Proportion and Quantity
Description:
Designing a device to land on the moon is a tough challenge, but can your students also account for the thrust a design needs to have a safe lunar landing?
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS2.B Types and Interactions
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
CCC: System and System Models
Description:
Students will design, build and test their own solar ovens to see if they can get the temperature inside to be warm enough to melt candy like peeps or chocolate.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
SEP: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions: Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.
CCC: Energy and Matter: Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
Students will observe first-hand what happens to energy when objects collide on their pinball prototypes. We will use evidence from our observations to answer questions regarding the relationship of the speed of an object and its energy.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Who doesn’t love pumpkin chunking? Students will design, build, and test their own pumpkin catapults using basic materials and little candy corn pumpkins.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Let’s get ready to celebrate Earth Day (on 4/22) by upcycling various plastic containers to give them a new purpose. Get ready to be impressed with students' wonderful ideas for keeping plastics out of oceans and landfills.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems – Develop solutions to human
activities that impact the environment.
SEP: Constructing explanations and designing solutions – Apply scientific ideas to solve problems.
CCC: Systems and system models – A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.
Description:
While space travel is growing, humans must find a way to live safely on other planets without risking harmful exposure to UV rays. Students will explore designs to keep space travelers safe from direct UV rays.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS4.A Wave Properties
PS4.B Electromagnetic Radiation
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Patterns
Description:
Students will focus on the strength of triangles in engineering to construct a toothpick bridge that can withstand the most weight.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Students will dive into the world of 3D printing without ever touching a 3D printer. This tech-free lesson teaches students the fundamentals of 3D printing and additive manufacturing as they create their own 3D model of an object.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions – Tests are often designed to identify failure points or difficulties, which suggest the elements of the design that need to be improved.
ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution – Different solutions need to be tested in order to determine which of them best solves the problem, given the criteria and constraints.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations – Plan and conduct and investigation collaboratively.
CCC: Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World – Peoples’ needs and wants change over time, as do their demands for new and improved technology.
Description:
Students will learn about the connection between structure and function of external parts when they become biomedical engineers that design prosthetic limbs for injured sea creatures.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: LS1.A: Structure and Function - Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction.
SEP: Constructing explanations and designing solutions - Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.
CCC: Structure and Function - The way something is shaped and its substructure determine many of its properties and functions.
Description:
Students will discover how animals change the land over time and the impact it causes as they design, build and test beaver dams.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
LS2.C Ecosystem dynamics, functioning and resilience
LS2.A Interdependence relationships in ecosystems
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
CCC: Cause and Effect
Description:
Students will design and build a hand-pollinator using selected materials. The pollinators will compete to see which one can carry the most “pollen” to a flower.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will be introduced to the history behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet. Students will then design and build a never-before-seen creature, demonstrating how its external structures help it survive, while using criteria and constraints. Bonus challenge included.
Materials Needed (per student):
Standards Connection:
DCI: LS1-Struture and Function - Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
SEP: Engaging in Argument from Evidence - Construct an argument with evidence, data, and/or a model.
CCC: Systems and System Models - A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.
Description:
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than learning about the heart! In addition, students will conduct an experiment to investigate how movement affects their heart rate.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: LS1.A: Structure and Function – Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction.
SEP: Planning and carrying out investigations – Make observations and measurements to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation.
CCC: Structure and Function – The way something is shaped and its substructure determine many of its properties and functions.
Description:
Become a seed today and discover all the ways you travel! Students will design and engineer different models demonstrating how a seed is dispersed in nature.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
SEP: Developing and Using Models: Develop a single model based on evidence to represent a proposed object or tool.
CCC: Structure and Function: The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their functions.
K-2-ETS1-2: Develop a simple sketch, drawing or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
K-2-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.
3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Description:
Students will dive in to learn how light waves team up with the human eye. Students will build their model of an eye to investigate how light affects our vision.
Materials Needed (per student):
Standards Connection:
DCI: LS1.A: Structure and Function – Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction.
SEP: Planning and carrying out investigations – Make observations and measurements to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation.
CCC: Structure and Function – The way something is shaped and its substructure determine many of its properties and functions.
Description:
We know trees produce the oxygen that we breathe but what kinds of trees produce the most oxygen? Students will conduct a scientific experiment to determine which trees are best to plant to produce the most oxygen in the atmosphere.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: LS1.C: Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
SEP: Engage in Argument from Evidence: Support an argument with evidence, data or a model.
CCC: Energy and Matter: Matter is transported into, out of and within systems.
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
Students will explore balanced and unbalanced forces while they create balloon-powered cars. Students will get to experience Newton’s third law firsthand as they work to get their car to move.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Unsure of what to do with all that extra candy? Donate it to science while learning about physical and chemical changes.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will design and build working parachute candy droppers that will drop Halloween candy to children.
Materials Needed (per group or student):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Dive into Biochemistry with this chromatography challenge! Students will learn to use chromatography to separate colors.
Materials Needed:
Description:
March Madness is here! Join us for an engaging and challenging lesson where students experiment with variables to get the perfect shot.
Materials Needed (per student):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS2.B: Types of Interactions – The gravitational force of Earth acting on an object near Earth’s surface pulls that object down towards the planet’s center.
SEP: Planning and carrying out investigations – Conduct an investigation using fair tests in which variables are controlled and the number of trials considered.
CCC: Cause and Effect – Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified and used to explain change.
Description:
Students will design a tractor, pulled by magnets, that will allow Farmer Norse to overcome the Harvest challenges he has faced this year and end his farming year successfully.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS2-4 Define a simple design problem that can be solved by applying scientific ideas about magnets.
SEP: Asking Questions or Defining Problems: Define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
CCC: Interdependence of Science, Engineering and Technology: Science discoveries about the natural world can often lead to new and improved technologies, which are developed through the engineering design process.
Description:
Aerodynamics will help you take flight in this lesson when you apply the concepts of drag, thrust, lift, and gravity to your paper airplane designs. Can you build an airplane that will fly the farthest?
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students explore the law of conservation of energy – that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can be converted! In this lesson, students will use weighted rubber bands inside cylinders to demonstrate kinetic and potential energy.
Materials Needed (per student or group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer: Energy is present whenever there are moving objects.
SEP: Developing and Using Models: Construct a model as a helpful tool for representing ideas and explanations.
CCC: Energy and Matter in Systems: Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
3-5 ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
Everything is frosty outside but can you make frost inside? Students will be engaged in testing variables to create frost on the outside of cans.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS1.A Structure and Properties of Matter
SEP: Planning and Carrying out Investigations: Make observations and measurements to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of a phenomenon.
CCC: Scale, Proportion and Quantity: Standard units are used to measure and describe physical quantities such as weight, time, temperature and volume.
3-5 ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
Students will make observations as ice changes states of matter. Students will manipulate the changes in states of matter with varying substances to determine which causes ice to change states faster.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS1.A Structure and Properties of Matter
PS1.B Chemical Reactions
SEP:
Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Planning and Carry Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
Why do we wear coats in the winter? If you put a coat on a snowman, will it melt faster? Students will conduct a scientific experiment to test the impact of insulators on cold objects.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will design and build a working lava lamp using specific materials and criteria.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World
Description:
Feeling lucky enough to catch a leprechaun? Join us as we put engineering to the ultimate test when we design traps to catch the sneaky little leprechauns.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS2.B Types of Interactions
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Scale, Proportion and Quantity
Description:
What better way to learn about powerful magnetic forces than by using them to compete in a Magnetic Maze Showdown!
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS2.B Types of Interactions
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
Students hop into this sticky situation feet first as they design and test a new formula for an adhesive. They will learn about mixtures and solutions as they compare and analyze their data from their investigation.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS1.A Structure and Properties of Matter
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence, using fair tests in which variables are controlled and the number of trials is considered.
CCC: Cause and Effect: Cause and Effect relationships are routinely identified, tested and used to explain change.
3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Description:
Students will design, build and test their own solar ovens to see if they can get the temperature inside to be warm enough to melt candy like peeps or chocolate.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
SEP: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions: Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.
CCC: Energy and Matter: Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
Students will learn about momentum, forces, gravitational pull and other amazing STEM concepts as they compete in various Minute to Win It STEM challenges.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS2.A Forces and Motion
PS3.A Definitions of Energy
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
Can electricity flow in either direction? Students will construct their own paper circuits in order to test and confirm their hypothesis.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.B Conservation of energy and Energy Transfer
SEP: Plan and carry out an investigation: Make observations to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of a phenomenon or to test a design solution.
CCC: Energy and Matter in Systems: Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Description:
Students will observe first-hand what happens to energy when objects collide on their pinball prototypes. We will use evidence from our observations to answer questions regarding the relationship of the speed of an object and its energy.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Who doesn’t love pumpkin chunking? Students will design, build, and test their own pumpkin catapults using basic materials and little candy corn pumpkins.
Materials Needed:
Description:
Students will create their own investigations to explain how the speed of an object is related to the mass of the object. Using ramps and balls, students will design and set up their investigation to answer this investigative question.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection
DCI: PS3.A Definitions of Energy
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence, using fair tests in which variables are controlled and the number of trials is considered.
CCC: Influence of Science, Engineering and Technology on Society and the Natural World: Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones.
3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Description:
Students will design a working Rube Goldberg machine, focusing on incorporating simple machines in the design. The device must drop an item into a cup and contain at least one simple machine.
Materials Needed:
*Supplies may vary per group and what you have available- you can set this up so students must build a device from what you have available within your classroom
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
SEP: Planning and Carry Out Investigations: Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 3-5 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to include investigations that control variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions.
CCC: Cause and Effect: Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified
Description:
Students take a deep dive into the world of sound waves, where dolphins reign as the ultimate communicators. Students will learn about the language of sound codes used amongst dolphins. The students will then use Morse code to unlock messages from our outreach team using the human equivalent of this aquatic language.
Materials Needed (per student):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS4.C - Compare solutions that use patterns to transfer information.
SEP: Designing Solutions – Compare multiple solutions on how well they meet the criteria and constraints.
CCC: Patterns – Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort and classify designed products.
Description:
Sound is all around us. Students will explore the properties of sound waves and then design, build and play their own string instrument.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS4.A: Wave Properties - Waves of the same type can differ in amplitude and wavelength.
SEP: Developing and Using Models - Develop a model to describe phenomena.
CCC: Cause and Effect - Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified.
3-5 ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Description:
Students will engineer a descending marble maze obstacle course on the wall using everyday materials.
Materials Needed (per group):
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS3.A Definition of Energy - Energy can be moved from place to place by moving objects.
SEP: Constructing explanations and designing solutions - Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.
CCC: Energy and Matter - Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
Description:
During this lesson students will investigate how sound moves through different materials to answer the question: Does sound move fastest through solids, liquids or gasses?
Materials Needed:
Per student:
Per group:
Standards Connection:
DCI: PS4.B: A sound wave needs a medium through which it is transmitted.
SEP: Planning and carrying out investigations - Make observations and measurements to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation.
CCC: Energy - Energy may take different forms.
Description:
Combine your magnificent engineering skills with your inner artist and watch as the magic unfolds! Students create a bot that will design art!
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS3.A Definitions of Energy
PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
CCC: Energy and Matter
Description:
Students will learn about alternative energy sources as they design and build working wind turbines. Students will test various structures within their turbines to create the most effective design.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
ESS3.A Natural Resources
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Cause and Effect
Description:
The Winter X Games have teamed up with our STEM students to design the fastest and farthest traveling ski jumpers.
Materials Needed:
Standards Connection:
DCI:
PS3.A Definitions of Energy
PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
SEP:
Asking questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
CCC: Energy and Matter
Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics (CINSAM)
Landrum Academic Center (LA), Suite 134
(859) 572-5381 | cinsam@nku.edu
