RAFT Idea Sheets are easy-to-use 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 Colorado 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. Over 100 Idea Sheets are available at no cost.
 Students explore addition problems with two 3 digit numbers and discover patterns that help find solutions and double check arithmetic answers. Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Math, Number Sense, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Using UV beads as detectors, the ability of sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV radiation from the Sun is tested. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth/Space Science, Art, Early Education, Science, Data Analysis |
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Red cabbage juice is amazing! Acids and bases make it change color! Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking |
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Students will have fun playing this game as they develop strategic thinking with numbers and practice addition facts Grades Covered: 1 through 6 Subjects: Math, Number Sense |
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Experiment with independent events and find how often certain results occur! Grades Covered: 1 through 12 Subjects: Math, Number Sense, Data Analysis, Probability |
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Geometry, design, architecture, creativity, science… This activity has it all! In this activity, students get the opportunity to design and build a home for magnetic “pet worms”, and then enjoy bringing their worms to life. Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Math, Art, Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry, Critical Thinking |
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In this unique interdisciplinary activity, students use science, math, and art skills to create a drawing on a curved grid. The coordinates used for the drawing on the curved grid are the same as they would be for a square grid. This anamorphic drawing appears distorted from the original and can be difficult to recognize… until it is viewed with a cylindrical mirror! A recognizable image “magically” appears when science, math, and art are mixed together. Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Math, Art, Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry, Data Analysis, Critical Thinking |
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 Area Antics plays like the card game War, but with a new twist that helps students learn how to estimate and measure area and how to reach consensus. Grades Covered: 2 through 7 Subjects: Math, Geometry, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Make a cloud “mirror” and use to do small scale observations of the clouds and sky. Grades Covered: 1 through 12 Subjects: Life Science, Earth/Space Science, Science, Data Analysis, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Create an autograph book to share with friends Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Language Arts, Art |
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Combine two common household ingredients to cause an exciting, safe, chemical reaction. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Data Analysis |
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This neat trick is easy to do and serves as a great introduction to a discussion about air pressure. Grades Covered: 5 through 12 Subjects: Life Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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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. Grades Covered: 4 through 12 Subjects: Math, Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking, Data Analysis, Critical Thinking |
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Teach bindery combs new tricks in this hands-on exploration of forces and motion! Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Earth/Space Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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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. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Art, Science, Critical Thinking |
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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. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Early Education, Critical Thinking |
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Boost your hearing power! Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Loop the ring around the bottle and stand it up. How hard could this be? Give it a try! It might surprise you! Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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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? Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Earth/Space Science, Science, Critical Thinking |
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Some pipette tips come in boxes that can be turned into bases for creating a variety of electrical circuits; just add straws, a battery, foil wires, and a clear holiday mini-bulb! Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Create a pooter, or “bug vac” to gently collect and study small creepy crawlies. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Life Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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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 answers! Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Music, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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 Students independently rearrange letter tiles to spell words and then take turns drawing and discarding tiles until one person has no tiles left and wins the “hand.” Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Language Arts |
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Explore rhythms using these simple maracas in an activity that appeals to both auditory and kinesthetic learners. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Art, Early Education, Music |
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Sometimes word work is all pencil and paper. Keep kids engaged by allowing them to experiment and randomly find letters that can be used to make words and build vocabulary. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Language Arts, Early Education, Collaboration |
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Learn how an anemometer works and use one to make wind speed measurements. Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Earth/Space Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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Students create a costume out of paper grocery bags that reveals their level of comprehension about characters they are reading about. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Language Arts, Art, Invention |
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Use water to separate the different colors used to create the “black” in black markers. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Art, Science, Data Analysis, Critical Thinking |
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White light is actually a combination of different colors. This easy-to-build spectroscope creates a rainbow pattern (spectrum) by separating incoming light into its component colors. The interesting patterns it displays can be used to identify different sources of light. Experiment with a variety of colored filters and see how the images change! Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Art, Science, Critical Thinking |
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This unique puzzle can provide students with a fun spatial problem solving activity. Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Math, Geometry, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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The art of storytelling is a tradition that has spanned cultures and time periods the world over. Being able to craft a story that has a beginning, middle and end is an important step for students to developing literacy and critical thinking skills. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Social Studies, Language Arts, Art, Critical Thinking |
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This easily made sighting device can measure the angles of lines of sight. Grades Covered: 4 through 12 Subjects: Earth/Space Science, Math, Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry, Data Analysis, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Animal names sometimes seem long and daunting; but if you know the roots, they are actually quite descriptive of the animal itself (i.e. tyranno=tyrant; saurus=lizard;rex=king: Tyrannosaurus Rex = “Tyrant Lizard King”). In this fun and creative activity, students build models of fictitious animals using classic root words. Grades Covered: 4 through 7 Subjects: Language Arts, Science, Critical Thinking |
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Use cassette tape cases or videotapes to create a device whose parts can topple like dominos, yet can be easily reset. This device models how nerve cells transmit signals through the body. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Math, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Explore music, science, or just jam! Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Art, Science, Music, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Folder games are quick to create, inexpensive, and easy to store. They provide an engaging, developmentally appropriate way to practice skills. Games can be customized to teach any subject and feature seasonal themes. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Language Arts, Early Education, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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Don’t throw away those used folders or greeting cards! They can be used to teach math. And the end result is a really great box that students absolutely love! Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Art, Geometry, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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Games are wonderful tools for teaching and motivating students! Frack Jack is a fun activity that has students learning fractions while playing a game. Grades Covered: 4 through 12 Subjects: Math, Algebraic Thinking, Critical Thinking |
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Kids have great imaginations… and they love games! Extend student learning with this fun activity that can be applied to multiple grade levels and any topic. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Games are wonderful ways to motivate students; they enjoy themselves and do not always realize that they are getting practice with basic skills, like addition and probability. Playing Native American Stick Dice also connects mathematics to culture and the social sciences. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Math, Data Analysis, Probability, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Challenge students to “Giant Building” for a big twist on an old favorite. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Geometry, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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This board game gives students practice in regrouping/ trading tens and ones. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Math, Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Precise measurement is a crucial skill for many scientific and engineering fields, such as biochemistry, environmental science, medicine, pharmacology, and materials engineering. In this activity, students will use a 5 ml pipette to create a graduated preform that they can then use to do experiments involving volume measurements. Grades Covered: 4 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Math, Science, Geometry, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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From simple to complex, students love to try and figure out which bead comes next! Grades Covered: PK through 3 Subjects: Math, Early Education, Algebraic Thinking, Critical Thinking |
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Young learners will love to create patterns by tap, tap, tapping golf tees into blocks of packing material. Grades Covered: PK through 2 Subjects: Math, Early Education, Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking |
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Students will enjoy creating these fun yarn leis! Use them in a unit on Hawaii, wearable art, Island cultures, or even as a great addition to the “dress up” trunk. Grades Covered: 2 through 8 Subjects: Social Studies, Art |
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This easy-to-create hinged mirror allows students to explore simple geometry and the science of light and reflections. Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Math, Geometry, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Combine movement with art or science in this easy to make self-balancing mobile. Grades Covered: 2 through 8 Subjects: Art, Invention |
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This nifty gadget is a useful tool to cut Styrofoam (TM) and an example of a circuit. Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Art, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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Explore how a hovercraft can glide smoothly along by constructing this quick-to-assemble four-piece model. Once the hovercraft is built, test it on any smooth, flat surface. Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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This very simple version of an infinity mirror is easy to make and illustrates the principle of the reflection of light. Grades Covered: 4 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Students can construct their own Unit Folder with this simple design. Help them to see how easy it is to construct something using repurposed items. The finished product will keep them focused and proud about presenting their work. Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Language Arts, Art, Invention |
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Matter exists naturally on Earth in 3 phases: solid, liquid, and gas. These models help students visualize what is happening on the atomic or molecular level in each phase. Grades Covered: 1 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science |
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Games are wonderful ways to motivate students; they enjoy themselves and do not always realize that they are getting practice with skills like critical thinking and logic. This ancient island game, similar to checkers, is easy to learn and fun to play for people of all ages. Grades Covered: PK through 6 Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking |
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This simplified version of an ancient braiding technique ties together, art, history, and mathematical patterns in a fun activity suitable for all ages. Grades Covered: 2 through 8 Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Art, Algebraic Thinking |
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This St. Patrick’s day organize a fun, holiday-themed design challenge that gives your students an opportunity to brainstorm, prototype, and test leprechaun traps. Grades Covered: PK through 3 Subjects: Physical Science, Social Studies, Art, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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In this game children develop their memorization skills while strengthening their discrimination skills by finding common pictures. Grades Covered: PK through 3 Subjects: Math, Language Arts, Early Education, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Capture the imagination of young students with this inexpensive, engaging activity. They will to explore how magnets work as they move a playing piece through a maze. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Early Education, Critical Thinking |
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Get new life out of unwanted or out-of-date advertising buttons with this quick and simple activity! Grades Covered: 1 through 5 Subjects: Social Studies, Art |
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People from around the world play games of strategy. Most popular games, like Mancala, have roots going back hundreds of years. Using these games in the classroom is not only enjoyable for students, but also teaches logic, mathematical reasoning, and problem solving skills. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Critical Thinking |
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Being able to match an item to its counter part is an essential strategy that can help promote behaviors necessary for later academic success in both literacy and math. Grades Covered: PK through 1 Subjects: Math, Language Arts, Early Education, Number Sense |
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This simplified DNA model uses beads and chenille stems (pipe cleaners) to represent nucleotide components. DNA is the fundamental hereditary material for all living organisms. The structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) was understood only after years of scientific research. Although simple in structure, DNA carries the code for all the complexities of life. Grades Covered: 5 through 12 Subjects: Life Science, Science, Critical Thinking |
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In this modeling activity, students use RAFT materials to build “bird nests” for protection and comfort. Since birds mainly use their beaks for this survival activity, students use only a model “beak” for building. Who will make the best nest and have Grades Covered: 1 through 12 Subjects: Life Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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Ever had the blues? What shade of blue was it? All blues are not created equal. Explore the world of color, with its many shades, in this simple and fun exercise. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Language Arts, Art, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Interchangeable patterning strips can allow for quick and easy assessments of students’ growth on pre-reading skills that include symbol, object and letter recognition. Grades Covered: PK through 3 Subjects: Language Arts, Early Education, Critical Thinking |
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Students compare polymer packing peanuts made from different materials in order to determine the environmental impact of each material and identify the life cycle or linear life of each product. Grades Covered: 1 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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Students select beads to represent the planets and place them at the appropriate spacing on a string to represent the distances between the planets. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Earth/Space Science, Early Education, Science, Critical Thinking |
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This activity gives pre-school age children an opportunity to explore sounds by hearing the different sounds made by small objects. All people learn in different ways. This activity appeals to both auditory and tactile learners. It helps develop Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Music, Critical Thinking |
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Press and dry flowers in a couple of minutes with this microwave plant press. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Life Science, Art, Science |
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Explore forces and motion with a straw “rocket” and an easily made launcher. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Invention |
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Create a musical instrument in minutes to explore the science of sound production! Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Invention |
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This quickie kaleidoscope is easy to build and beautiful to look through! Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Art, Science, Geometry, Invention |
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Practice multiplication while creating boxes from art posters and other recyclable creative papers! Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Math, Art, Number Sense, Geometry, Invention |
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Several different cultures use rainsticks in traditional ceremonies intended to, not surprisingly, make it rain. Authentic rainsticks made from different types of cactus Grades Covered: PK through 8 Subjects: Physical Science, Social Studies, Music, Invention |
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Learn about wheels, hubs, and axles, while making a vehicle that can really move! Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Play like an Egyptian! Played by royals and commoners alike, this popular strategy game from Ancient Egypt was enjoyed for over 3,000 years! Simple and fun to play! Grades Covered: 1 through 6 Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Data Analysis, Probability, Critical Thinking |
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Play like an Egyptian! Played by royals and commoners alike, this popular strategy game from Ancient Egypt was enjoyed for over 3,000 years! Simple and fun to play! Grades Covered: PK through 2 Subjects: Math, Early Education, Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry, Critical Thinking |
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Students can use shrink plastic to create beautiful works of art as well as learn math and science concepts/skills, such as precise measurement & the properties of polymers. Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Math, Art, Science, Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry, Data Analysis, Critical Thinking |
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Explore heating and “cooking” with sunlight using an easy to make mini solar cooker. Grades Covered: 4 through 12 Subjects: Earth/Space Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention, Collaboration |
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A spinner created from 1 or 2 media trays allows the “fields”, located below the spinner, to be changed so the spinner can be used for many games and activities. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Math, Data Analysis, Probability, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Students create a simple lever machine and learn about load, force, and fulcrum placement. Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Students can build and manipulate these scale model catapults to learn about motion, the history of science and technology, and the scientific method. Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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This presentation format turns state reports into a scavenger hunt for the whole class. Grades Covered: PK through 5 Subjects: Social Studies, Art, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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This unique adaptation of the first static motor lets students create spinning motion using only static charges. The design can be easily modified for experimentation. Grades Covered: 4 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Combining a pipette tip with sections of two straws will make a dropper that can be used to dispense tiny drops of liquid. Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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These wonderful, little pony beads change color in sunlight! In this activity, students investigate light sources to determine that sunlight is special and different than other light sources they are used to, such as light bulbs. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Earth/Space Science, Science, Critical Thinking |
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Even young children can enjoy this popular exercise in logic when it is simplified down to a 4 x 4 grid! Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Math, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry, Critical Thinking |
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Tall Tales books gradually reveal themselves until the entire book is shown. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Language Arts, Art, Invention |
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This quick to assemble equatorial sundial can easily adjust for daylight savings time! Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Earth/Space Science, Math, Science, Critical Thinking, Invention |
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Timelines are used extensively in historical topics to give an impression of the relative positions of different events in time Examples include timelines of the Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Mesozoic periods, the existence times of fish, dinosaurs, mammals, and humans, the relative lifetimes of different music composers, wars and other historical events, and so on. In this activity, students create timelines to illustrate events in their own lives. Grades Covered: 2 through 8 Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Language Arts, Number Sense, Geometry, Data Analysis, Invention |
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People of all ages love the Kazoo-like sounds that come from this fun-to-make and easy-to-play instrument. The RAFT harmonica uses a rubber band vibrating between tongue depressors to make sound. Changing the length of the rubber band changes the sound. Start your own harmonica band today! Grades Covered: 2 through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Music, Invention |
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Students create a journal out of reused materials, collect observations, and reflect on their trash attitudes and actions. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Language Arts, Art, Science, Invention |
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This activity gives young learners an opportunity to develop observation skills as they explore objects hidden in sand or another material. Grades Covered: PK through 2 Subjects: Physical Science, Math, Early Education, Science, Number Sense |
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A quick and easy way to make a sombrero, cowboy hat, or any other brimmed hat! Grades Covered: 1 through 12 Subjects: Social Studies, Art, Invention |
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Making and using Dancing Wands offers students a motivating way to explore creative movement and develop motor skills. This unique activity begins with measuring and following directions in order to create a ribbon wand to be used for active play. Grades Covered: PK through 2 Subjects: Math, Art, Early Education, Geometry, Music |
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Students use a circular format to create a realistic model of all phases of the water cycle including evaporation, transpiration, condensation, and precipitation. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Earth/Space Science, Science, Collaboration |
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Students observe wave action in a bottle and discuss why water moves in patterns. Grades Covered: PK through 2 Subjects: Physical Science, Math, Early Education, Science, Number Sense, Critical Thinking |
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Students will enjoy participating in this quick demonstration of inertia! Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science |
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The last decades of the 20th century saw a major change in the way products were sold at markets around the world. Plastic containers are now a common form of packaging for everything from soda to soap, more durable and safer than glass. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Physical Science, Science, Critical Thinking |
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Students will create a classroom word bank to store and use the vocabulary words that they have learned. The word bank can be used as a reference when reading, writing or to look up a word for correct spelling. Grades Covered: 3 through 12 Subjects: Language Arts, Collaboration |
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Students can build their own quiz wheel to become a word wizard to improve reading and writing ability. Grades Covered: PK through 12 Subjects: Language Arts, Early Education |
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Students organize and connect words or phrases related to a specific subject, art object, theme, or feeling. This activity will develop critical thinking skills, ignite creativity, and is an effective prewriting exercise. Grades Covered: 1 through 7 Subjects: Language Arts, Critical Thinking, Collaboration |
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Students use a collection of objects for this realia version of “20 Questions”. Grades Covered: PK through 1 Subjects: Physical Science, Math, Science, Geometry, Critical Thinking |