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Students can build a water wheel and see the force of water in motion. They can also experiment with different forces and see how they affect the water wheel.

This activity allows students to make a bendable spinal column model to see how this functions in the body.

Students will think about how the spine works as they construct and build a mock spine. This activity will get them thinking about the deisgn process. They will see how and why the spine bends. This is a great visual tool.

Students design and build four boats from squares of aluminum foil. Each team decides which one of their four boats holds the highest number of dice. Each team should record their findings and observations, as well as ways to improve their designs.

Crow Creativity: 5th Grade / Can you solve a problem as creatively as a crow?  Download PDF 1. Build a tricky tube puzzle to find out if your friends can solve a problem like a crow. A clear plastic tube is best, but a paper towel roll, cut down to about 8 inches, will work too. 2. Make a basket out of tin foil. The basket should be big enough to hold a small cookie. 3. Tear some strips off a roll of duct tape. Lay the roll of tape flat on a table and fit the tube inside the center of the duct tape roll. Then use the duct tape strips to tape the tube in place so that the tube stays upright. Tape along the side. Do not cover the openings of the tube in tape. 4. Put a cookie in your basket and drop the basket into the tube so it goes to the bottom of the tube with the handle facing up. 5. Place about 5 twist ties or a piece of long metal wire next to your tube. 6. Find a friend to solve this problem. Tell your friend that there is a cookie at the bottom of the tube. Your friend can have the cookie but has to get the cookie out of the tube first without lifting up the tube. If you are using a paper towel roll, let your friend look inside the tube to see how it's set up.  Supplies: See Downloadable PDF

Upper elementary students to middle school students could create a trick tube or similar experiment that a friend or critter (squirrel) has to solve.

Students work on designing different bridges out of popsicle sticks.

After learning a little about friction students can try this building activity to learn how to get around friction.

4.4.1:  Investigate transportation systems and devices that operate on or in land, water, air, and space and recognize the forces (lift, drag, thrust, and gravity) that affect their motion.  Students will study the monorail to determine how it operates, what generates the power, and what are the effects to our environment.

From the DNR / State of Indiana, this website provides many links to educational programs offered by DNR and our State Forestries.  In particular, I like the free tree seedlings for Indiana third graders.  I could see this one "gift" developing into a unit on conservation of resources.  Specifically, standard 3.2.6:  Describe how the properties of earth materials make them useful to humans in different ways.  Describe ways that humans have altered these resources to meet their needs for survival.  We could discuss the lumber industry, and how it benefits human-kind.  Moving on from there, we can discuss how to replenish the supply.  

Have students look up a prototype online that mimics a human musculoskeletal system.  Have them share with the class the purpose and prototype. Next, as a class students will create a model hand using simple materials such as string, paper, and a pen or pencil.  Have the students create this hand and see how the "tendons" mimic the musculoskeletal system in a real human hand.

Cutting Geometric shapes and identifying unique properties, such as a torus (whole in the shape) for finding surface area.

A fun way to work with 3-D shapes.

Students draw a castle using 3-dimensional shapes. Option for pictures to be published on the web if sent to the address on this site.

This is a classic activity and another good candidate for demonstrating a process standard. (You're right about it being a fun activity that kids love!)

6.4.2 Construct a simple device that uses potential or kinetic energy to perform work. Activities 2 and 3 Sticky Note: This would be a great addition to a math lesson as well if the students were required to create, maintain, and balance a budget for creating this machine.

Mystery Canisters: Lab and worksheet to record observations. Students maniuplate three film canisters to make them sink, float and hover in the water. This is an exploration of Mass.

Use a balloon to light up a light bulb: Students build up static electricity with a comb or a balloon and touch a light bulb. Use this activity to begin a lesson on the transfer of electricity.

This page has everything a teacher needs to know to make a class rock and mineral collection or assign the task to students.

By focusing on the design aspect of this activity a budding scientist can learn a lot about solving a problem through the scientific design process.

Great for deciephering where energy comes from. The design process gives the student a full understanding of how the vehicle works and why it moves.