Idea Sheets
Idea Sheets are hands-on experience guides linked to core curriculum topics.
Every Idea Sheet is cross-referenced to one or more of the curriculum subjects listed in the Content Standards. Use this Idea Sheets Search Tool to rapidly pinpoint activities that are perfectly suited to the grade level, subject area, and content standard you want to cover.
Idea Sheets are based on readily-available, low-cost materials such as cardboard tubes, bottle caps, old CD's, etc.
You can also Search Idea Sheets by Standards or Keywords.
Bone Up on the Spine
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
Boo Bubbles
Warmed dry ice will fill soap bubbles with a "ghostly" white mist of water droplets.
Subjects: Physical Science
Born From an Egg
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
Bottle Bowling
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
Bottle Racer
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
Bottle Stand Up
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
Bouquet of Flowers
In this easy art project, students can design and make their own flower bouquets.
Subjects: Art
Box Blocks
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
Brace Yourself
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
Brazil Nut Effect
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