STEM Lesson Plans

This is part 2 of a two-part series. This lesson looks deeper into early electronic encryption tools and how they relate to cryptography today. The tools discussed are: Hebern Rotor Machine, Enigma

This lesson is a follow-up to the lesson titled "Creating Sustainable Solutions with Bioplastics Part 1". In this lesson, students evaluate different ingredients for bioplastics and create a minimum

In this lesson students evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of conventional, petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics, and their different varieties. The lesson is driven by class/group research

In this lesson, students will embark on an investigative journey to explore the geological history of their local community. Through hands-on activities and research, students will analyze rock layers

This is a lesson geared toward junior high and high school classes to introduce students to the idea of cryptography and encryption. This lesson could be simplified for younger students by removing

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

An investigation into the function and uses of solar panels in agriculture - Agrivoltaics. Exploring how to get the most efficient use of your solar panels for your gardens.

This project sets students up to explore animal anatomy and physiology with the idea of replacing a lost appendage (beak, leg, tail, fin, etc.) This is used in small groups of 2 or 3 over the course

In this introductory lesson to computer science, students will learn about the computing process of input→memory/processing→output.

Students will research and estimate the potential cost and benefit of building a very large solar energy facility is the Arizona desert. The main objective is for students to build math and modeling

In this lesson, students will work in groups to design a model that will demonstrate the best erosion techniques for the model of a road experiencing flooding or heavy rainfall. Students will be given

In this lesson students will use everything they've done in parts 1-3 to analyze how mutations affect proteins. Students will build the mutated proteins that they sequenced in part 3. They will test

In this lesson, students will be introduced to mutations in DNA. They will create beaded or illustrated "codes" to represent 5 different mutations to their original protein codes. These codes will be

In this lesson students will continue to learn about protein synthesis. At the beginning of this lesson students should know that genes have the code to make proteins. Today they will be introduced to

Students have the opportunity explore different materials that use nanotechnology and then discuss the key differences between macroscale and nanoscale impacts on those materials.

Students will learn and recall about the different parts and components of an Adafruit Circuit Playground Express. Students will be able to program an Adafruit Circuit Playground Express

Students will be able to learn how the hydraulic system works. With this in mind, you will be able to design a hydraulic marble game using materials provided. At the same time, they will be able to

As an intro to Thermal Energy, students are challenged to create a warmer that will keep my coffee warm. Students project will be tested in class, data will be collected, compared, and graphed.

An introduction to Newton's Laws of Motion. Students will utilize two or three options to move a balloon across a tethered line. Students will compare and contrast two different size balloons moving

This lesson is based on the Fibonacci sequence. Overlapping concepts of pattern, repetition, structure, scale, proportions are considerations for constructing an artistic, math-based sculpture

This lesson is intended to build on existing knowledge about a previously learned topic. Students should already know about and be able to apply specific information about a bird species based on a

By 2028, NASA plans to send a mission to Mars to retrieve samples collected by rovers and return to Earth. Student teams are challenged to build a rover and design a way to retrieve as much cargo as

Students explore different types of bridges and then practice building them with K'Nex sets.