| Lasers, Let's Find 'Em! |
Students research particular types of lasers and find examples of how they are used in technology today. Teams present their findings by means of PowerPoint presentations, videos or brochures. The cla... ... moreStudents research particular types of lasers and find examples of how they are used in technology today. Teams present their findings by means of PowerPoint presentations, videos or brochures. The class takes notes on the presentations using a provided handout. This activity prepares students for the "go public" phase of the legacy cycle in which they solve the grand challenge by designing and producing a laser-based security system. ...less |
7 (6-8) |
NCTM (2000):
Math |
100 minutes |
3 |
US$ 0.00 |
| Leaning Tower of Pasta |
Using spaghetti and marshmallows, students experiment with different structures to determine which ones are able to handle the greatest amount of load. Their experiments help them to further understan... ... moreUsing spaghetti and marshmallows, students experiment with different structures to determine which ones are able to handle the greatest amount of load. Their experiments help them to further understand the effects that compression and tension forces have with respect to the strength of structures. Spaghetti cannot hold much tension or compression; therefore, it breaks very easily. Marshmallows handle compression well, but do not hold up to tension. ...less |
8 (7-9) |
Colorado (2009):
Science
Math International Technology Education Association-ITEA STL Standards (2000):
Technology |
45 minutes |
2 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Learning Imaging Techniques! |
During this activity, students will be introduced to the concepts of the challenge. They will generate ideas for solving the grand challenge first independently, then in small groups. Finally, as a class, students will compile their ideas with a visual as a learning supplement. |
11 (10-12) |
Maryland (2002):
Science |
30 minutes |
3 |
US$ 0.00 |
| Let Your Ears do the Walking |
In the previous lesson, students learned about the issue of bycatching by fisheries and how it affects marine habitats. Dolphins are one of the main species affected by bycatching. Dolphins use echo... ... moreIn the previous lesson, students learned about the issue of bycatching by fisheries and how it affects marine habitats. Dolphins are one of the main species affected by bycatching. Dolphins use echolocation to identify the location of objects in the water, but they have difficulty identifying nets, and thus can be caught accidentally. Students will learn how echolocation works, why certain animals use it to determine the size, shape, and distance of objects, and how humans can potentially take advantage of dolphins' echolocation ability when developing bycatch avoidance methods. In this activity the students will experience a simulation of echolocation and use it to walk along a path while blindfolded. ...less |
5 (4-6) |
North Carolina (2004):
Science |
45 minutes |
2 |
US$ 2.00 |
| Let's Bag It |
Students observe and discuss a vacuum cleaner model of a baghouse to better understand how this pollutant recovery method functions in cleaning industrial air pollution. |
5 (4-6) |
Colorado (1995):
Science
Math |
20 minutes |
28 |
US$ 5.00 |
| Let's Get It There Fast |
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate how aircraft have decreased the amount of time it takes to transport people and cargo. Students will compute the time it takes to travel between two citi... ... moreThe purpose of this activity is to demonstrate how aircraft have decreased the amount of time it takes to transport people and cargo. Students will compute the time it takes to travel between two cities for several modes of transportation including trucks, trains and airplanes. Students will also do some critical thinking to determine why airplanes are not always used. ...less |
6 (5-7) |
Colorado (2009):
Science
Math International Technology Education Association-ITEA STL Standards (2000):
Technology |
45 minutes |
4 |
US$ 1.00 |
| Light Intensity Lab |
Students complete this Beer's Law activity in class. Students examine the attenuation of various thicknesses of transparencies. From this activity, students will understand that different substances a... ... moreStudents complete this Beer's Law activity in class. Students examine the attenuation of various thicknesses of transparencies. From this activity, students will understand that different substances absorb light differently. This can then be transferred to X-rays to explain that different substances absorb X-rays differently, hence the need for dual-energy analysis. In looking at Beer's Law, students use the properties associated with natural logarithms. After the activity, students complete a series of questions regarding what they observed. ...less |
11 (9-12) |
Tennessee (2009):
Math
Science |
50 minutes |
3 |
US$ 20.00 |
| Light Plants and Dark Plants, Wet Plants and Dry Ones |
Students plant sunflower seeds in plastic cups, and once germinated, these are exposed to different conditions of light levels and/or soil moisture contents. During exposure of the plants to these di... ... moreStudents plant sunflower seeds in plastic cups, and once germinated, these are exposed to different conditions of light levels and/or soil moisture contents. During exposure of the plants to these different conditions, students measure growth of the seedlings every few days using non-standard measurement (inch cubes). After a few weeks, they compare the growth of plants exposed to the different conditions, and make pictorial bar graphs that demonstrate these comparisons. ...less |
1 (1-3) |
North Carolina (2004):
Science |
4 hours |
1 |
US$ 20.00 |
| Light Scavengers |
In this activity, students examine various materials and investigate how they interact with light. Students use five new vocabulary words (translucent, transparent, opaque, reflection and refraction) to describe how light interacts with the objects. |
3 (3-5) |
Colorado (1995):
Science |
30 minutes |
2 |
US$ 0.25 |
| Light vs. Heat Bulbs |
Students measure the light output and temperature (as a measure of heat output) for three types of light bulbs to identify why some light bulbs are more efficient (more light with less energy) than others. |
8 (6-8) |
NCTM (2000):
Math NSES (1995):
Science |
40 minutes |
3 |
US$ 0.00 |