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Alien Launchers

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What kiddo doesn't want to launch something across the room?! In this challenge, students work to launch an alien the greatest distance using everyday materials. This is a challenge that can easily be adapted to different age groups and a variety of circumstances such as needing substitute plans or just beginning the wonderful world of STEM.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Beth Norman

Grade 1 - Elementary Science and Integrated Subjects: Plants and Their Parts

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Elementary Science and Integrated Subjects is a statewide Clime Time collaboration among ESD 123, ESD 105, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Development of the resources is in response to a need for research- based science lessons for elementary teachers that are integrated with English language arts, mathematics and other subjects such as social studies. The template for Elementary integration  can serve as an organized, coherent and research-based roadmap for teachers in the development of their own NGSS aligned science lessons.  Lessons can also be useful for classrooms that have no adopted curriculum as well as to serve as enhancements for  current science curriculum. The EFSIS project brings together grade level teams of teachers to develop lessons or suites of lessons that are 1) focused on grade level Performance Expectations, and 2) leverage ELA and Mathematics Washington State Learning Standards.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Georgia Boatman, Barbara Soots, Ellen Ebert, Kimberley Astle, Washington OSPI OER Project

Energy Forms and Changes

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This simulation lets learners explore how heating and cooling adds or removes energy. Use a slider to heat blocks of iron or brick to see the energy flow. Next, build your own system to convert mechanical, light, or chemical energy into electrical or thermal energy. (Learners can choose sunlight, steam, flowing water, or mechanical energy to power their systems.) The simulation allows students to visualize energy transformation and describe how energy flows in various systems. Through examples from everyday life, it also bolsters understanding of conservation of energy. This item is part of a larger collection of simulations developed by the Physics Education Technology project (PhET).

Material Type: Simulation

Authors: Ariel Paul, Emily Moore, John Blanco, Kathy Perkins, Noah Podolefsky, Trish Loeblein

PBS KIDS Learning to Code with ScratchJr from KSPS PBS

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The lessons in this curriculum unit will help students learn the foundations of coding using the free PBS KIDS ScratchJr app. With PBS KIDS Scratch Jr, students can create their own interactive stories and games featuring their favorite characters from Wild Kratts, Nature Cat, WordGirl and Peg + Cat!. By snapping together colorful programming blocks, students make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. In the process, kids learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively. These lessons help students explore coding/programming vocabulary and offer non-device activities around coding/programming concepts.

Material Type: Lesson Plan, Unit of Study

Author: Bukola Breczinski

Nature's Partners Curriculum and Educator's Guide

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As part of our continued commitment to education, the team at The Bee Cause Project has created this companion document, Educator’s Curriculum Guide, to supplement the Nature’s Partners curriculum.Our Tips from the Hive are designed to add layers of concept extensions, optional digital methods of delivering content, and support to educators that are either brand new or experienced environmental educators. The Buzz Worthy Resource Materials are video links, notable articles, and more printable resources, while the Bee Cause Book Club highlights recommended readings for students of all ages. Several titles have quality read-aloud links as well.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Game, Lesson Plan, Module, Simulation, Teaching/Learning Strategy

Author: The Bee Cause Project

Maker Club

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Maker Clubs introduce students to the making movement, the idea that hands on learning and creating things from scratch lays the foundation for future success, especially in STEM fields.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Student Guide, Unit of Study

Author: Columbia Gorge STEM Hub

Be “Cool” with Popsicle Engineering

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Beginning kindergarteners are introduced to science and engineering concepts through questions such as “What is a Scientist?” and “What is an Engineer?”, and go on to compare and contrast the two. They are introduced to five steps of the engineering design process and explore these steps using the “I do, we do, you do” set of guided instruction. At the end of the project, students produce a set of purple popsicles that they design using various materials and by following a set of criteria.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Amy Bliss

Learn 3D Design Using Tinkercad

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This series of lessons will teach all of the key features in Tinkercad, a free, web-based 3D design platform. When you have finished the lessons you will have a comprehensive knowledge of how to design/draw in 3D. After that all you need is practice to improve your skills.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Diagram/Illustration, Interactive, Lesson, Lesson Plan, Teaching/Learning Strategy, Unit of Study

Author: Tom Guellich

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