Educating for Innovation

Lesson plan

Water in the Desert: Are We Running Out?

Lesson plan Grade 6

• Subject: Other
• Time: 75 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Brandin Ventor, School Librarian, Cactus Flower Middle School, Phoenix, AZ Open details

Learning activity

Kids Invent! Popsicles, Water Talkies and Earmuffs

Learning activity Grade 3-4

• Subject: Other
• Time: 50 minutes

Patricia de Winter (The Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Learning activity

Harness the Power - of Wind!

Learning activity Grade 3-4

• Subject: Other
• Time: 50 minutes (20 minutes to create, and 30 minutes observation time)
• Sessions: approx. three observations at 10 minutes each

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS) Open details

Learning activity

Trash or Treasure: Finding the Best Information

Learning activity Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 30 minutes

Gundry Rowe (Walt Disney Magnet School, Chicago, IL) Open details

Lesson plan

No Man Ever Became Great or Good Except Through Many and Great Mistakes

Lesson plan Grade 3-4

• Subject: Language Arts
• Time: 50 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Patricia deWinter (Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Lesson plan

Using Our Resources to Build a Better Illinois

Lesson plan Grade 3-4

• Subject: Social Studies
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 2

Gundry Rowe (Walt Disney Magnet School, Chicago, IL) Open details

Lesson plan

How Things Work

Lesson plan Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40-50 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Julie Pawelek Horwat (Holland Patent Central Schools) Open details

Lesson plan

One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure…or Can I Just Give You My Garbage That I Don’t Want?

Lesson plan Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 2 hours
• Sessions: 2 one-hour sessions

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, Kansas) Open details

Lesson plan

The Juxtaposition of Art and Invention

Lesson plan Grade 5

• Subject: Other
• Time: 55 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Patricia de Winter (The Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Learning activity

Who Was Rube Goldberg?

Learning activity Grade 5

• Subject: Science

Patricia de Winter (The Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Learning activity

Library Accessibility For All

Learning activity Grade 5

• Subject: Technology
• Time: 45 minutes

Gundry Rowe (Walt Disney Magnet School, Chicago, IL) Open details

Lesson plan

I Took the BFG to the Library: Library Use and Accessible Design

Lesson plan Grade 5

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 1-2 hours
• Sessions: 1-2 (one-hour sessions)

Gundry Rowe (Walt Disney Magnet School, Chicago, IL) Open details

Lesson plan

Get Hooked on Innovation!

Lesson plan Grade 5

• Subject: Science
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS) Open details

Learning activity

Creative Innovators Think Outside the Box!

Learning activity Grade 5

• Subject: Science
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS) Open details

Lesson plan

Lizard's New Home

Lesson plan Grade 5

• Subject: Science
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Amy Estersohn (Hommocks Middle School, Larchmont, NY) Open details

Learning activity

Lizard's Innovative New Home

Learning activity Grade 5

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40-50 minutes (plus much more time at home or in Makerspace if developing an invention)
• Sessions: 1

Amy Estersohn (Hommocks Middle School, Larchmont, NY) and Julie Horwat (Holland Patent Middle School, Holland Patent, NY) Open details

Lesson plan

I Think I Can, I Think I Can…Innovative Inventors Overcoming Challenges

Lesson plan Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: 30-45 minutes
• Sessions: 8

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS) Open details

Learning activity

If You Build It...

Learning activity Grade 6

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 20 minutes to read both books; 20+ minutes to build Lego sculpture; 30 minutes to design skyscraper

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS) Open details

Lesson plan

If I Built a Microwave: Reflecting on Innovations in Our Daily Lives

Lesson plan Grade 6

• Subject: Technology
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 2

Gundry Rowe (Walt Disney Magnet School, Chicago, IL) Open details

Learning activity

Innovations Through the Ages

Learning activity Grade 6

• Subject: Technology
• Time: 45 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Gundry Rowe (Walt Disney Magnet School, Chicago, IL) Open details

Lesson plan

Taking on Plastic

Lesson plan Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Patricia de Winter (The Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Learning activity

Upcycling!

Learning activity Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: 30 minutes

Patricia de Winter (The Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Lesson plan

Game On! The Innovative Personalities of Game Creators

Lesson plan Grade 7

• Subject: Science
• Time: 60+ minutes
• Sessions: 1

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS) Open details

Learning activity

Go Bananas: Imagine It and Makey Makey It Happen!

Learning activity Grade 7

• Subject: Science
• Time: 60 minutes (15 minutes for books, 5 minutes for journaling, 10 minutes for discussion, 30 minutes for Makey Makey exercise)

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS) Open details

Lesson plan

Problems with Plastic

Lesson plan Grade 7

• Subject: Science
• Time: 70 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Patricia de Winter (The Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Learning activity

Innovation Stations

Learning activity Grade 7

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40 minutes

Patricia de Winter (The Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Lesson plan

The Great Wisdom Keeper

Lesson plan Grade 7

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 45 minutes
• Sessions: 2

Patricia de Winter (The Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Learning activity

Questions for Innovation – Choosing the Right Resource/Primary Sources

Learning activity Grade 7

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40 minutes

Patricia de Winter (The Oakridge School, Arlington, TX) Open details

Lesson plan

Toy Time…Let the Tinkering Begin!

Lesson plan Grade 8

• Subject: Science
• Time: 2 hours
• Sessions: 2 (one hour for lesson and toy/inventing, one

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS) Open details

Learning activity

Stopmotion Stikbots: An Animated Robot Adventure

Learning activity Grade 8

• Subject: Science
• Time: 60 minutes (20 minutes for watching Stikbot tutorials, 10 minutes to brainstorm and plan stop action, 30 minutes to create and share movie)

Melanie Massey (Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS) Open details

Lesson plan

All In a Day’s Work: Innovations that Make Work Easier

Lesson plan Grade 8

• Subject: Science
• Time: 2 hours
• Sessions: 2

Gundry Rowe (Walt Disney Magnet School, Chicago, IL) Open details

Learning activity

Jobs of the Future

Learning activity Grade 8

• Subject: Science
• Time: 45 minutes

Gundry Rowe (Walt Disney Magnet School, Chicago, IL) Open details

Lesson plan

Growing Ideas You Didn’t Know You Had

Lesson plan Grade 8

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 45 minutes

Amy Estersohn (Hommocks Middle School, Larchmont, NY) Open details

Learning activity

Inquiry Viral Video

Learning activity Grade 8

• Subject: Science
• Time: 90 minutes (30 minutes to explain activity, 1 hour of follow-up time to create videos)

Amy Estersohn (Hommocks Middle School, Larchmont, NY) Open details

Lesson plan

To Flood or Not to Flood: How to Prevent a Natural Disaster Resulting from an Earth or Weather Event

Lesson plan Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 90 minutes (To be completed in two 45-minutes sections)
• Sessions: 2

Wendy Ellis (Elementary Science) & Margaret Lincoln (Librarian), Lakeview School District Open details

Learning activity

Let's Play Ecosystem Balance Matchup!

Learning activity Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 30 Minutes
• Sessions: 1

Wendy Ellis (Elementary Science) & Margaret Lincoln (Librarian), Lakeview School District Open details

Learning activity

Save Our Treats--Keeping it Cold Activity

Learning activity Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 20 minutes

Trent Heil, F. Elizabeth Aimesbury and Margaret Lincoln, Lakeview Middle School, Battle Creek, MI Open details

Lesson plan

Save Our Treats - Keeping it Cold

Lesson plan Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 120 Minutes
• Sessions: 2 Class Sessions

Trent Heil, F. Elizabeth Aimesbury (5th Grade Science Teachers) & Margaret Lincoln (Librarian), Lakeview School District Open details

Learning activity

Factoring In Success On Your Next Camping Trip!

Learning activity Grade 6

• Subject: Math
• Time: 45 minutes*

Britnie Bell (6th grade Math) & Margaret Lincoln (Librarian), Lakeview Schools Open details

Lesson plan

Packing the Perfect Amount

Lesson plan Grade 6

• Subject: Math
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1 session or 2 sessions if using extension.

Britnie Bell, 6th grade Math & Margaret Lincoln, Librarian, Lakeview Schools Open details

Lesson plan

Maps of Disaster

Lesson plan Grade 7

• Subject: Science
• Time: 100 - 150 min (time can vary depending on whether teachers want students to collect the data as individuals or as groups).
• Sessions: 2 or 3 50-minute class periods

Lisa Ryan (Science Teacher) & Margaret Lincoln (Librarian), Lakeview Schools Open details

Learning activity

Are You Ready?

Learning activity Grade 7

• Subject: Science
• Time: 30 minutes - 1 hour
• Sessions: 1

Lisa Ryan (Science Teacher) & Margaret Lincoln (Librarian), Lakeview Schools Open details

Thinking challenge

How to Survive on Mars

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Environmental Science Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, adapted by Mamie Huang, ESI, 5.15.14, authored by Natalie Wyll and Jenna Nelson & Marisa, Christa, and Carmen Open details

Thinking challenge

Design the Ultimate Treehouse

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: 4 hours
• Sessions: 4

Adapted by Leslie Pcolinsky from an idea presented by John Spencer found here: Maker Challenge: Design the Ultimate Treehouse https://youtu.be/JfB26SYIdAE Open details

Thinking challenge

Design a Reusable Straw to Save the Planet

Thinking challenge Grade 7

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

Toxic Popcorn Design Challenge

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 90 minutes
• Sessions: One-two sessions

Adapted by Leslie Pcolinsky from a lesson at tryengineering.org Open details

Lesson plan

How about a Digital Detox? OR How Could You Live Without Your Phone for a Day?

Lesson plan Grade 6

• Subject: Technology
• Time: One day and ninety minutes
• Sessions: 3

Leslie Pcolinsky and adapted from an exercise found here Digital Detox Open details

Thinking challenge

Water Tower Challenge

Thinking challenge Grade 5

• Subject: Science
• Time: 135 minutes
• Sessions: 3

www.tryengineering.org Open details

Thinking challenge

How Many Ways Can You Use a Coat Hanger besides Hanging a Coat?

Thinking challenge Grade 5

• Subject: Science
• Time: Three hours
• Sessions: 3

Created by Dr. Daniel Raviv and modified by Leslie Pcolinsky for the Young Innovators Project Open details

Thinking challenge

What Could You Make with These Items?

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: 135 minutes
• Sessions: 3

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

The Zero Waste Challenge

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: Open-ended (10-20 hours)
• Sessions: 10

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

Is My School Lunch Healthy?

Thinking challenge Grade 5

• Subject: English
• Time: Two-three days to record food choices plus 240 minutes
• Sessions: Four 60 minute periods

Leslie Pcolinsky adapted from a lesson found here: https://tinyurl.com/y6hgmh47 Open details

Lesson plan

Bald Eagle Prosthetic

Lesson plan Grade K-2

• Subject: Art
• Time: Open-ended; at least 2 hours
• Sessions: 2

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

Able to Leap Tall Buildings - How Can I Measure the Height of a Building Without a Ruler?

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: 15 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

Popsicle Stick Polygons

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Math
• Time: 15 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

What's the Answer?

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Math
• Time: One hour
• Sessions: 1

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

I Dare You to Speak Emoji!

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Art
• Time: 24 Hours
• Sessions: 1

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

Other People Matter

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 240 minutes
• Sessions: Four

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

What Bugs You?

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 180 minutes
• Sessions: 3 at the most

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

Darwin's Approach - Homo sapiens 2.0

Thinking challenge Grade 8

• Subject: Writing
• Time: 240 minutes
• Sessions: Four

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

Eco-Friendly Library Makeover

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: An hour and a half
• Sessions: 2

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

Urban Farm to Table Restaurant

Thinking challenge Grade 7

• Subject: Science
• Time: Two week block of time in class
• Sessions: Ten

Leslie Pcolinsky adapted from ideas found here: https://tinyurl.com/y24b5cup & here: https://tinyurl.com/y4xjzsum Open details

Thinking challenge

Battlebots Invasion - Invent a Device to Battle an Invasive Species

Thinking challenge Grade 9

• Subject: Science
• Time: Four hours
• Sessions: 3-4

Leslie Pcolinsky adapted from a lesson by PBS Newshour: https://tinyurl.com/yy96svjr Open details

Thinking challenge

How New Inventions Help People with Disabilities and Injuries

Thinking challenge Grade 9

• Subject: Science
• Time: 100 minutes
• Sessions: 2

PBS Newshour - Danielle Thompson Open details

Thinking challenge

How Renewable Energy Inventions Protect the Environment

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: 100 minutes
• Sessions: 2

PBS Newshour - Eric Strommer Open details

Thinking challenge

Invasion of the Bot-y Snatchers. (Bot or not?)

Thinking challenge Grade 9

• Subject: Root
• Time: 50 minutes
• Sessions: 1

PBS Newshour - Brian Aspinall Open details

Lesson plan

Stack 'em Tall

Lesson plan Grade 6

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Leslie Pcolinsky Open details

Thinking challenge

How Far Can Your Straw Rocket Travel?

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: One hour
• Sessions: 1

Leslie Pcolinsky adapted from an activity by Maker Maven: https://tinyurl.com/y6zwyznn Open details

Thinking challenge

Mission to Mars - How Inventions Can Land You on Mars

Thinking challenge Grade 9

• Subject: Science
• Time: 150 minutes
• Sessions: 3

Leslie Pcolinsky adapted from PBS Newshour: https://tinyurl.com/y6pono6d Open details

Thinking challenge

Bricks are NOT for Building

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Writing
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Dr. Ruth Small Open details

Thinking challenge

Multi-Purpose Chairs

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 50 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

The Perfect Chair Challenge

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Technology
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1

The K12 Wiki Lab https://dschool-old.stanford.edu/groups/k12/wiki/17761/5_Chairs_Exercise.html Open details

Thinking challenge

A New Kind of Classroom

Thinking challenge Grade 5

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

To Write or Not to Write?

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Writing
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

A New Kind of Spoon

Thinking challenge Grades K–12

• Subject: Other
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

The Future of Forks

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Technology
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

One Step at a Time

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

A Sticky Situation

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Design a Pair of Shoes that could Help You Jump Higher

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Design Something, Other than Flippers, You could Wear on your Body to Help You Swim Faster

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Think of 10 New Safety Features You Could Add to a Wetsuit for Divers

Thinking challenge Grade 5

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Creative Coloring

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

What a Mess!

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Find 5 Ways to Write Your Name Without Using Your Hands

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Find 5 Different Ways to communicate Without Opening Your Mouth

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine MMcGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Think of a Way to Tie a Knot Without Using Your Hands

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Name 5 Ways You Could Write With Your Feet

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

A Brand New Bag

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Play with Paper

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Technology
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Design a Shirt That Will Help You Run Faster

Thinking challenge Grade 5

• Subject: Technology
• Time: 60 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Design a Car that Could Float in Water

Thinking challenge Grade 5

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

A New Kind of Building

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 1 hout
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

The Possibility of Pants

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Laugh with Lollipops

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Science
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Design a Book that Could Read Itself to You

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

A Pet House

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

A Better Blanket

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Straws are Not for Sipping

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Bobbing for Apples

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 30 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Come Up with a Way to Open a Latched Door if there was no Handle

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Find a Way to Travel Between Stories of a Building if Stairs, Escalators, and Elevators Did Not Exist

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Transportation Troubles

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Science
• Time: 40 minutes
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Underground House

Thinking challenge Grade 6

• Subject: Science
• Time: 1 hour
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Life on Mars

Thinking challenge Grade 3-4

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: At least 1 hour
• Sessions: 1-3 if needed

Katherine McGinnis Open details

Thinking challenge

Survival Plan

Thinking challenge Grade K-2

• Subject: Engineering
• Time: 1 hour
• Sessions: 1

Katherine McGinnis Open details