STEM Lesson Plans

This thematic unit has lessons which will introduce students to phenomena we encounter in the real world. Students will learn about high interest phenomenon through hands-on investigations. Students

This hands-on lesson digs deeper into the study of weathering and erosion. It should be taught after students have an understanding of the sun’s energy and some of the ways it impacts the Earth. The

What does polarized light mean? How can some light waves be blocked while other light waves are transmitted? This lesson plan explores the phenomenon of polarized light and how light waves interact

How do light rays reflect and refract? Does light travel at different speeds in different mediums? This lesson reviews how light waves can be reflected and refracted, and how light waves can change

Students will design, draw, and animate a character. The character can be as advanced as an anime type character or as simple as a stick figure, I will also provide pre-created character templates for

In this hands-on lesson, students will conduct an experiment measuring and comparing temperatures using an IR Temperature gun around the classroom. Students also explore careers where an IR

This lesson provides context for the 6th grade physical science standards dealing with matter. It enables students to anchor their learning in real world issues as they combine data literacy and art

In this engaging lesson, students use real-world data to explore criteria for air pollutants. If students continue to the next lesson in this series, they create data-based art to deepen and

This lesson uses a diagram of a football being punted to demonstrate the forces of motion and the transfer of energy. Students are then challenged to apply what they learned to engineer a mechanical

Does light have energy? In this lesson, students will engage in a practical experiment to witness how light can induce changes such as heating, altering colors, and setting objects in motion. As

In this engaging lesson, students take a look at the effects of dehydration and over hydration on the body and electrical conductivity of the heart. They will also learn about what electrolytes are

In this creative engineering design lesson, students are challenged to use an inclined plane to create a safe and exciting zipline park for Zippy the Elf. This lesson reviews simple machines and has

In this engaging lesson, students will investigate the basics of a circuit by arranging the materials to make a lightbulb light up. They will then create a digital product to demonstrate their

This lesson is about exploring Arizona's state bird, the cactus wren, that lives in the desert, has special body parts and behaviors that help it survive in its harsh environment. Students will learn

In this lesson, students create paper rockets and measure the distance launched. Students are using the engineering design process and are provided time to modify their design in order to increase the

This lesson was designed because students love to compete, and it primes them to use the Engineering Design process to build a boat and revise their design as needed. Students must use at least one

Students are introduced to the current teams and given a brief history of their mascots. Then students research potential areas for an expansion team to start a new team (I do not limit them to just

Have you ever wondered what the real reason was as to why Galaga was such a popular arcade game? Look no further this lesson has you covered. Students will create their very own modern version of

In this hands-on engineering and science project, students will become earthquake engineers tasked with designing and constructing earthquake-proof structures using toothpicks and mini marshmallows

In this project, 8th-grade students will engage in hands-on exploration of elastic potential energy and its conversion to kinetic energy using small catapults. Through experimentation and data

In this lesson, students will research information to describe climates in different regions of the world. Then students will design a prototype of different tools used in understanding climate.

This epic road trip is an end-of-year project where students are given the opportunity to reflect on their learning and select 6 unique stops in Arizona that a tourist should visit. Students are led

In this multi-day lesson, students will learn about prosthetics, design and build a model of a prosthetic limb, research prosthetics today and then have a Socratic Seminar to both share and debate

This hands-on lesson helps students understand exponential functions by using an LED circuit. LED luminosity decreases at an exponential rate as more are added in series. As students add more lights