Idea Sheets

The idea of an expanding universe can be seen with dots on an expanding balloon.
Subjects: Earth/Space Science

Evaluate potential natural hazards and develop plans to address the dangers.
Subjects: Earth/Space Science, Social Studies

Traditional bead weaving is a bit easier with this larger-sized version of a bead loom.
Subjects: Math, Social Studies

Students gather a bead at each station in this activity that works particularly well with a field trip or special event where you want students to participate in a variety of learning activities.
Subjects: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth/Space Science, Math, Social Studies, Language Arts, Art

The old "Bed-of-Nails" trick is a great attention-getter, but it is really not a trick at all. Rather, it is a demonstration of force distribution and pressure. In this miniature, "safety" version, students can investigate the decrease in pressure on their skin with the increase of contact points.
Subjects: Physical Science

A blown column of air will suspend the ball in mid-air... but for how long?
Subjects: Physical Science

This easily make wind vane will point to the source of a real or a student generated wind!
Subjects: Physical Science, Earth/Space Science

Learning about binary numbers (Base 2) incorporates number sense, exponents, and the conversion of numbers between different bases. Binary numbers are essential to the functioning of common digital electronic devices but are usually well hidden!
Subjects: Math

Learning about binary numbers (Base 2) builds an understanding of number sense, exponents, and different base number systems. In making a Binary Bracelet for the 4th of July, students will encode our nation's birthday into a wearable bracelet.
Subjects: Math

Counting in binary is quite straightforward and makes for an interesting and compelling activity for any student who can do simple addition. This uncomplicated game creates an opportunity to practice counting in binary. It reinforces understanding of place value and can be extended into a discussion of other bases and number systems.
Subjects: Math

Computers use binary numbers (Base 2), a series on "ons" and "offs" that encode information. In this activity, students use the Ascii alphabet to encode a message into woven band, and then other students can decode the information.
Subjects: Math

Explore heating with sunlight using an easy to make and store solar collector.
Subjects: Physical Science, Earth/Space Science

Teach bindery combs new tricks in this hands-on exploration of forces and motion!
Subjects: Physical Science

A plastic binding comb is easily transformed into a holder for from 1 to 4 batteries. A holder with more than one battery can provide several different voltages.
Subjects: Physical Science

Students shake, rattle, and roll these "Black Boxes" to try to determine the insides... but no peeking. Ever!!
Subjects: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth/Space Science

Spin a CD with a Benham's Disk pattern on top and observe an interesting optical effect. The black and white pattern on the disk creates a mysterious illusion of color! This illusion provides valuable insights into how our eyes and brain perceive color.
Subjects: Life Science

Use "blood" samples of red sugar in a vegetable oil suspension to investigate hematocrit measurement and its significance.
Subjects: Physical Science, Life Science

Whales, seals, walruses, and other marine mammals survive and thrive in very harsh, freezing cold environments. In this activity, students discover the insulation properties of several materials by testing them in a bucket of ice water; simulating how marine mammals can survive in arctic conditions, yet not freeze to death.
Subjects: Physical Science, Life Science

Use the energy from the Sun to make shadow prints of everyday objects.
Subjects: Physical Science

Self-portrait? How about a "Self Novelty Sculpture" instead? Students will just love making themselves (or their Mom and Dad) into these cute, personalized bobble heads.
Subjects: Physical Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Art

Modeling the spine can help students understand the function of the disks, the flexibility of the back, and the transfer of information along the spinal nerve.
Subjects: Life Science

Warmed dry ice will fill soap bubbles with a "ghostly" white mist of water droplets.
Subjects: Physical Science

In this activity for primary learners, students sort animals into 2 categories: those born from an egg and those not born from an egg.
Subjects: Life Science

Students have fun using a 3D model to sort animals into 2 categories: those born from an egg and those not born from an egg.
Subjects: Life Science

This RAFT version of a classic game uses plastic bottles as bowling pins and a small wooden ball. It plays just like the bowling alley game, but instead of a computer keeping score, the individual players must keep track of their points. Scoring gets a bit tricky when a strike or spare is rolled, providing excellent opportunity to practice basic arithmetic.
Subjects: Math

Enjoy the hands-on experience of building and using the Bottle Racer, a modern adaptation of an old favorite. Explore the application of simple machines, energy conversion and investigate how changes in design affect performance.
Subjects: Physical Science

Loop the ring around the bottle and stand it up. How hard could this be? Give it a try! It might surprise you!
Subjects: Physical Science

In this easy art project, students can design and make their own flower bouquets.
Subjects: Art

Sometimes the simplest idea can provide children with hours of fun. Teachers of young children can use boxes like big blocks for a variety of activities.
Subjects: Physical Science

How will an earthquake, simulated by shaking, affect a "building" made of linked squares? How can the square "stories" be cross-braced to prevent the "walls" from collapsing? What dangers are there in building above a garage? Learn the answers to these questions and more by working with the Brace Yourself model.
Subjects: Physical Science, Earth/Space Science

Whenever a can of mixed nuts is opened, the brazil nuts tend to be on the top. This phenomenon seems counterintuitive, because the brazil nuts are more massive than the peanuts, cashews and other nuts in the can. How can this be?
Subjects: Physical Science

Provide students with opportunities to create a basic circuit, build a portable version, and explore parallel and series circuits!
Subjects: Physical Science

In this logic game, a player uses clues to help them break a hidden code in as few guesses as possible.
Subjects: Math

Explore polarized light using polarizing filter material. The displays of many common electronic devices are covered with a polarizing filter to cut glare.
Subjects: Physical Science, Life Science

Students explore how organic materials break down and decompose in this lab experiment that investigates materials, environmental factors, and variables.
Subjects: Life Science

Each day in your life you breathe in and out approximately 20,000 times, usually without thinking about it. Here is a chance to discover how breathing works.
Subjects: Life Science

Use Algebra to figure out the price to charge for a one pound bag of mixed coffee beans.
Subjects: Math

How strong can a bridge be made using a limited set of materials?
Subjects: Physical Science

Thermally sensitive paper can be used to create some stunning artistic effects. This activity is a fantastic exploration of a thermally sensitive chemical reaction.
Subjects: Physical Science

Use a water filled cylinder and a bubble to create convex and concave surfaces. Make light rays move closer together (converge)or move apart (diverge).
Subjects: Physical Science

Students observe dramatic changes in the states of matter in this activity.
Subjects: Physical Science

Create a pooter, or "bug vac" to gently collect and study small creepy crawlies.
Subjects: Life Science

Wooden cubes can be used for a variety of building activities that develop spatial skills and mathematical reasoning. In this activity, students make a 3-dimensional shape using a given number of cubes.
Subjects: Math

Building with foam pieces, blocks, and boxes will help young learners explore elements of design, construction, and the scientific process in an open-ended way!
Subjects: Physical Science

Explore how scale affects volume in this hands-on, pyramid building activity.
Subjects: Physical Science, Math

This activity for larger groups provides practice in team creation and rapid building.
Subjects: Physical Science, Language Arts, Art

Simple marble games can be a great introduction to the study of motion ... or just a great way to spend an afternoon!
Subjects: Physical Science

Balls are popular playthings for people of all ages. They help develop hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills, and they appeal to tactile learners. In this activity for students of all ages, foam balls are made that can be safely used in the classroom for a variety of learning activities. Bumpy Balls are easy to create, fun to make, and even more fun to play with!
Subjects: Physical Science

In this easy art project, students can design and make their own butterfly bushes.
Subjects: Art

Give this little noisemaker a whirl to learn about the effects of air passing over a taut rubber band. As it vibrates, the rubber band can generate a surprising range of deep rumbling tones. How can the pitch be changed? Experiment to find the answer!
Subjects: Physical Science