Zippy the Elf's Zipline Zone
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
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 will be able to create an identified x and y-axes and be able to plot how stars fit onto the diagram. Stars have properties (listed within the activity) and will fit into the
Students will learn about nanotechnology in medicine and the use of nanorobotics. In this hands-on STEM lesson, students create nanobot using simple materials like toothbrush heads, motors, and
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
Students will explore the concepts of sound and rhythm through a STEM-focused lesson plan that integrates science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with music. Students will engage in hands-on
Students will investigate the properties of different types of matter and apply the concept of "P1: Matter" to design, model, and 3D print an object using a MakerBot 3D printer. Hands-On STEM Design
In this primary Kindergarten-1st grade STEM lesson, students will learn to define algorithm, bug, and debug in reference to programming. Through engagement with a virtual simulation, students will
Math Magic through Coding!
In this 2nd grade STEM lesson, students will learn how symbols (directional arrows) can be used to program an object's movements. They will develop an algorithm using a sequential graphic organizer to
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 will create a "football" to practice kicking accuracy. They will collect data and create a graph showing their results. After students will learn about a kicker's role in the NFL, what a
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
Intro to MS Make Code (Eat the Food)
MS MakeCode is the perfect stepping stone into the world of Scratch. Students will be able to create a working video game in one class period. As we all know classic video games were not built over
This STEAM lesson is ideal for Tucson/Pima County Middle School Students who can participate in the annual KIDStruction building contest but you can also duplicate many of the learning opportunities
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 is a fun unit that will discuss drones and gives students the opportunity to build an obstacle course to fly the drones through.
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
This hands-on lesson helps students understand the properties of 3D solids from their 2D base shapes and teaches them how to use CAD software to build their own 3D models of real-world objects by
This lesson allows robotics students to redesign a working floor vacuum and design it to fit the needs of a robotics lab - it should be able to pick up heavier and larger objects or loose parts off
This lesson explores the concept of density. Students will observe a phenomenon involving floating and sinking. They will design their own investigations and they will learn how to use the density
James and the Giant Peach is a wonderful fantasy novel but what if the peach, the insects and James were right in front of our eyes? What would they look like when they've been turned into giant
Featured Lesson Plans
Check out these notable lesson plans.

This outstanding multi-day lesson covers the anatomical design of the respiratory system. Students will work on a basic model project to simulate breathing action and the diaphragm. They will also

This is a fun and engaging lesson where students work individually, or with a partner, to build a treehouse. Creativity and collaboration among students in my 4th grade STEAM Club were evident in the

Up, Up and Away! Creating a Glider
Students will learn the principles of flight while also incorporating the Engineer Design Process as they construct gliders using pressed Styrofoam. In this hands-on lesson, students read a book about