All Activities

New Commercials for Sugary Foods

Health and Wellness, Digital Media and Communications

Grades 9 - 12

New Commercials for Sugary Foods

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Some experts recommend that sugar in the diet be limited to less than 25 grams (or 6 teaspoons) per day. This amount includes sugars that are included naturally in fruits and some vegetables. Yet most people take in much more sugar than this amount.

In this activity, students will recognize that commercials and other advertisements for foods often provide poor information about their products. This is especially true for sugar-rich foods and snacks that are marketed to young children. In response, students will create honest advertisements or commercials for these products.

Discover Activity

New Commercials for Sugary FoodsHealth and Wellness, Digital Media and Communications

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Tricky Conversations (Grades 6-8)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Tricky Conversations (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students in middle school may struggle to talk about the conflicts in their lives or about new emotions and experiences. In this activity, students role-play a variety of conversations and then evaluate and discuss their performances. (Note that the activity incorporates subjects such as honesty, friendship, academic achievement, and general health and wellness. However, it excludes controversial and emotionally sensitive subjects, such as sexuality and gender identity.)

Discover Activity

Tricky Conversations (Grades 6-8)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Educating Myself for Peace of Mind

Social and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

Grades 3 - 12

Educating Myself for Peace of Mind

kid-grit

3 - 12

1 Hour

When traumatic events occur, students benefit from knowing how to manage stress. In this activity students learn stress management techniques by gathering information and building knowledge about current events.

This activity is relevant for any crisis. Use it any time and replace the COVID-19 reference with existing events in your community, national news, or global happening.

Educating Myself for Peace of Mind can be complete on its own or as a starter activity for the kid-grit module. All activities in the kid-grit module have been designed to engage students in areas of personal development, social-emotional learning, character education, 21st century skill-based inquiry, and global consciousness. These activities are built to have students think critically and share perspectives — focusing on topics such as: tolerance, personal development, crisis situations, building positive communities, self-regulation, empathy, using breathing as a form of stress release. Students will be challenged to think outside the box and drive their own learning — they will learn by doing. They will take on new ways of problem solving and, in the process, create their own prescription for healthier mindsets, building resilience, and grit.

Discover Activity

Educating Myself for Peace of MindSocial and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 12

Design a Crew Module

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades 6 - 8

Design a Crew Module

NASA

6 - 8

1 Hour

Are you ready for a challenge? Design and build a crew module model that will secure two 2 cm astronaut figures during a drop test.

Discover Activity

Design a Crew ModuleSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

1 Hour•Grades 6 - 8

Make an Animal Atlas

Nature and Wildlife, STEM

Grades 6 - 8

Make an Animal Atlas

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

Each student contributes a page for an animal atlas. This activity demonstrates the diversity of animal life and asks students to collaborate to achieve a common goal.

Discover Activity

Make an Animal AtlasNature and Wildlife, STEM

Grades 6 - 8

War in Afghanistan

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

War in Afghanistan

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

45 Minutes

This activity will introduce students to the Afghanistan War and the role of the United States in the conflict. Students will research the war and form an opinion about if the war was justified. They will develop key critical thinking skills and collaboration skills, as well as gaining a better understanding of how U.S. foreign policy is shaped.

Discover Activity

War in AfghanistanHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Animals on Parade

Arts, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 2

Animals on Parade

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Do you hear that? It’s the animals on parade! In this activity, children will be choosing an animal they would like to be in a parade. Then, they will create masks to transform themselves into their animal and later share their knowledge with peers.

Discover Activity

Animals on ParadeArts, Nature and Wildlife

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Shadow Puppets

Arts, Literacy

Grades K - 8

Shadow Puppets

Rediscover Center

K - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will make shadow puppets. They will make them out of recyclable materials like what they can find around their homes. Then they'll create or re-enact a short story for their puppets to act out!

This activity is part 1 of 2 in the Shadow Puppet Activities by reDiscover Center.

Discover Activity

Shadow PuppetsArts, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades K - 8

The Focus Experiment

Social and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

Grades 9 - 12

The Focus Experiment

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

High school students often struggle to focus on completing homework and other academic tasks, especially when they feel stressed by the volume of demands on their time and attention. In this activity, students will conduct an experiment to show how their study environments and focus strategies affect their ability to complete an academic task.

Discover Activity

The Focus ExperimentSocial and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Survey Our Lot

Nature and Wildlife, Social and Emotional Awareness, STEM

Grades 6 - 8

Survey Our Lot

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour 15 Minutes

In this lesson, students will survey vacant lots in their area and consider how they may be transformed into a space that supports resistant and migratory wildlife and the needs of their community.

Green space is a necessary part of any community, especially in urban areas where plants are often thought of as ornamental. Thoughtful design of green space can help support native and migratory biodiversity, address food insecurity, benefit our mental and physical health, and create spaces for recreation and learning.

This is activity 2 of 3 in the "Design a Park" module from City Parks Foundation.

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Survey Our LotNature and Wildlife, Social and Emotional Awareness, STEM

1 Hour 15 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Career and Future Readiness, Literacy, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 8

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students role-play a job interview by taking on the role of either the applicant or the hiring committee. Students will develop key critical-thinking and analysis skills, as well as collaboration skills.

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)Career and Future Readiness, Literacy, Leadership and Teamwork

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Totalitarianism Past and Present: Nazi Germany and North Korea

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Totalitarianism Past and Present: Nazi Germany and North Korea

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

The word total is found in totalitarian, and totalitarian governments exert total control over their people. Life under totalitarian rule is restrictive and brutal, as students will see as they delve inside the government structure that once existed in Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany and continues to exist in Kim Jong-un’s North Korea.

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Totalitarianism Past and Present: Nazi Germany and North KoreaHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Practice Good Internet Hygiene

Digital Media and Communications, STEM

Grades 6 - 8

Practice Good Internet Hygiene

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn the importance of clearing web browser caches, controlling cookies, backing up data, changing passwords, and protecting their email address and other personal information on websites. Students write analogy skits to compare these online practices with cleaning and safety practices around the home.

Discover Activity

Practice Good Internet HygieneDigital Media and Communications, STEM

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 5: Tracking Player Performance

STEM, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 3 - 8

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 5: Tracking Player Performance

Learn Fresh

3 - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

In this lesson, students take on the role of baseball analysts, tracking player statistics during gameplay and using collected data to calculate key performance metrics. This activity allows students to evaluate their team's strengths and weaknesses, preparing them for strategic decisions later in the season.

Discover Activity

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 5: Tracking Player PerformanceSTEM, Leadership and Teamwork

1 Hour 30 Minutes•Grades 3 - 8

Intro to Audio

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Intro to Audio

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Learn how background noise affects an interview through the game “Speaking in the Hall.”

This is lesson 31 of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs' second module, Building a News Hour.

Discover Activity

Intro to AudioDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

S.INQ Sound Vibrating Musical Instruments

STEM, Arts

Grades K - 5

S.INQ Sound Vibrating Musical Instruments

OregonASK

K - 5

30 Minutes

Students design and build their own finger guitar from simple materials.

Discover Activity

S.INQ Sound Vibrating Musical InstrumentsSTEM, Arts

30 Minutes•Grades K - 5

In Season, Healthy Eating

Health and Wellness, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 8

In Season, Healthy Eating

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

Just like humans, wildlife also requires a healthy diet to survive. As humans, we’ve become accustomed to having the foods we like at any time of the year, but there was a time when we relied more on the wild game, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains available in a particular season. So when you hear someone say a food item is “in season,” they’re referring to the times of year when the harvest or the flavor of a given type of food is at its peak. It also appeals to people who prefer a low carbon diet that reduces greenhouse gas emissions (food miles) resulting from food consumption.

We could learn a little something from wildlife who always eat a low carbon diet and rely on what’s in season to meet their food needs. Eating a healthy diet gives both wildlife and humans the energy needed to keep all their body systems functioning in proper order. In the activity below, you will help children understand the term “in season” and how it’s vital to the planet and to keep our body healthy and full of the energy it needs. Also, you’ll be looking at five different birds and their healthy, in-season eating habits that get them through the cold winter months.

Discover Activity

In Season, Healthy EatingHealth and Wellness, Nature and Wildlife

50 Minutes•Grades K - 8

Color By Numbers

Arts, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Color By Numbers

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students draw their own color-by-numbers picture and then exchange drawings with a partner too color in the picture they have been given.

Discover Activity

Color By NumbersArts, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Balloon Tower Challenge

STEM, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 8

Balloon Tower Challenge

OregonASK

6 - 8

30 Minutes

Students are divided into small teams to build the tallest, free-standing tower they can using just balloons, tape , and a timer!

Discover Activity

Balloon Tower ChallengeSTEM, Leadership and Teamwork

30 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Making A Fruit Battery

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades 3 - 5

Making A Fruit Battery

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this fun hands-on activity, students make a fruit battery using lemons. They use the battery and other simple materials to build a circuit that powers an LED light. Students then conduct research to discover how their fruit battery and circuit work.

Background Information: The source of energy in the lemon battery is not the lemon itself, but the copper and zinc that make up the electrodes. The zinc is oxidized, meaning they release electrons and become a positively charged zinc ion. Inside the lemon, hydrogen ions are reduced, meaning they accept the electrons and become hydrogen gas. The juices inside the lemon act as an electrolyte to carry electrons from the zinc electrode to the copper electrode, which then transmits the electrons through the wires of the circuit.

Discover Activity

Making A Fruit BatterySTEM, Nature and Wildlife

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

The 8 Limbs of Yoga Philosophy

Health and Wellness, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 9 - 12

The 8 Limbs of Yoga Philosophy

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students explore the 8 limbs of yoga philosophy. They discuss how these ethical and personal practices can help guide them in their daily lives.

Discover Activity

The 8 Limbs of Yoga PhilosophyHealth and Wellness, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 3: Drafting Your Team

STEM, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 3 - 8

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 3: Drafting Your Team

Learn Fresh

3 - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

The MLB Players STEM League Draft is here! In Lesson 3, students take on the role of team managers, analyzing MLB player data to build their rosters. Students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and decision-making skills by evaluating key player statistics.

This lesson also includes a bonus activity on teamwork, encouraging students to reflect on the importance of collaboration and supporting peers during gameplay and beyond.

Discover Activity

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 3: Drafting Your TeamSTEM, Leadership and Teamwork

1 Hour 30 Minutes•Grades 3 - 8

One Minute Speeches

Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 12

One Minute Speeches

After-School All-Stars

6 - 12

10 Minutes

Develop public speaking fluency, spontaneity, and confidence with this game.

Discover Activity

One Minute SpeechesLiteracy, Social and Emotional Awareness

10 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Mission Quite Possible

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 12

Mission Quite Possible

Foundations, Inc.

K - 12

45 Minutes

Kids love a challenge, especially ones where they find the solution. This activity challenges kids to separate a mixture using the scientific method and a few tools.

Discover Activity

Mission Quite PossibleSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

45 Minutes•Grades K - 12

Sports Medicine

Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

Grades 9 - 12

Sports Medicine

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn about the field of sports medicine. They will discover several examples of sports medicine helping athletes prevent injuries or recover from them, as well as examples of the harm or damage that certain drugs have caused athletes.

Discover Activity

Sports MedicineLeadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a game similar to the classic Go Fish, using index cards that state synonyms for various feelings. They play the game in small groups and then discuss their emotions and experiences.

Discover Activity

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word GameSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

A News Show Structure: Block E and Sports

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

A News Show Structure: Block E and Sports

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Dive into the world of data visualization with us! Students learn to turn complex data into captivating graphics that tell a story. Unleash the power of visualizing information in our exciting lesson!

This activity can be completed as a standalone lesson. It is, however, best completed as part of SRL’s The News Show Structure. This series is also the second section of SRL’s First Module From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour. The module is broken into three sections. The first two contain lessons that can be completed as standalone activities or as part of a series. All three sections converge to provide a powerful and fun introduction to producing and hosting news shows. The module is followed by a second that deepens student knowledge and skills.

Discover Activity

A News Show Structure: Block E and SportsDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

30 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Ready, Set, Goals! (Grades K-2)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades K - 2

Ready, Set, Goals! (Grades K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Setting goals in different areas of our lives is an important part of growing as a person. In this activity, children set goals for 3 different areas of their lives: school, family, and self.

Discover Activity

Ready, Set, Goals! (Grades K-2)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Which Source When

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Which Source When

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

It's time for some source sleuthing in our quest for the perfect news angle! We're double-checking our source list and selecting those that match our angles like a glove.

This is lesson 6 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

Discover Activity

Which Source WhenDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Backwards Scrabble

Literacy, Arts

Grades 9 - 12

Backwards Scrabble

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students play Scrabble® or other popular word games, but with standard game play turned backwards. They begin by filling the board with words. Then players gain points by identifying the misspelled or phony entries.

Discover Activity

Backwards ScrabbleLiteracy, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

How Can We Help Animals and Plants?

Nature and Wildlife, History and Society

Grades K - 2

How Can We Help Animals and Plants?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn about endangered animals and plants, decide on a conservation service project, and then design a poster to advertise the project.

Discover Activity

How Can We Help Animals and Plants?Nature and Wildlife, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

The Blues 2: Chords

Arts, Literacy

Grades 3 - 8

The Blues 2: Chords

Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

1 Hour

This is Part 2 of 2 in a series on The Blues. Start first with "The Blues 1: Lyrics" activity for a more holistic learning experience.

In this activity, students create a blues-inspired comic strip by expressing the sounds and associated feelings of major, minor, and blues chords. Students learn that the blues not only have a characteristic lyrical style, but also use specific musical structures to convey meaning - the blended major and minor chord progressions used by blues musicians are recognizable to audiences and can be duplicated by other musicians.

Discover Activity

The Blues 2: ChordsArts, Literacy

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 8

Alphabet Stretch

Literacy, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades K - 5

Alphabet Stretch

PowerUp Fitness

K - 5

10 Minutes

PowerUp spelling skills with Alphabet Stretch - warm up, cool down, or break the ice with this stretching activity.

Discover Activity

Alphabet StretchLiteracy, Leadership and Teamwork

10 Minutes•Grades K - 5

Design and Create an Informational Visual

Digital Media and Communications, Arts

Grades 3 - 5

Design and Create an Informational Visual

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

50 Minutes

Brochures, flyers, and posters are effective, highly visual ways to communicate information. Here, students plan, design, and then create examples of these products.

Discover Activity

Design and Create an Informational VisualDigital Media and Communications, Arts

50 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

S.INQ Sound Design an Instrument

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 5

S.INQ Sound Design an Instrument

OregonASK

K - 5

30 Minutes

Students create an instrument that has vibrating pieces, produces high and low sounds and has a way to amplify the volume. They build, test, and modify their designs to meet their goals.

Discover Activity

S.INQ Sound Design an InstrumentSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

30 Minutes•Grades K - 5

Functional Fitness Week 7: Day 3

Health and Wellness, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades K - 8

Functional Fitness Week 7: Day 3

Active Kids and Minds

K - 8

40 Minutes

Finish week 7 with the skill of the week: Burpees. In this culminating activity, students activate their body weight in a series of squats, burpees, and push-ups. Then, they evaluate which beverages should be consumed often, sometimes, and once in a while.

This activity is part of the Active Kids and Minds Functional Fitness 12-week program. If you are new to the program, visit the Active Kids and Minds Functional Fitness: Weeks 1-4 Collection before getting started.

Discover Activity

Functional Fitness Week 7: Day 3Health and Wellness, Leadership and Teamwork

40 Minutes•Grades K - 8

Obstacle Course (Grades 6-8)

Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

Grades 6 - 8

Obstacle Course (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students test their agility, speed, and stamina as they compete for the best time in an obstacle course. Students also participate as human obstacles in the course.

Discover Activity

Obstacle Course (Grades 6-8)Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

What Is the International Space Station?

History and Society, STEM

Grades 9 - 12

What Is the International Space Station?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

Students learn about the International Space Station (ISS). They begin by watching a video clip about life aboard the ISS. They then form teams to research different aspects of the ISS, such as what it does, when it was built and occupied, and why astronauts go there to live and work. Students create infographics to share what they learned. The group closes with a discussion about the importance of the ISS.

Discover Activity

What Is the International Space Station?History and Society, STEM

Grades 9 - 12

Practice Makes Better

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Practice Makes Better

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students craft questions and responses for their news story interviews in this lesson. Plus, they learn some pro tips on how to conduct a fantastic interview! Get ready for students to shine as a journalist!

This is lesson 13 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

Discover Activity

Practice Makes BetterDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

My Life (Grades 6-8)

Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 8

My Life (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Middle school students may maintain a strong sense of personal identity, yet at the same time recognize that their identity is changing. Reviewing and presenting their life story, or autobiography, can help a preteen or teen better understand who they are and who they want to become. In this activity, students plan, create, and present their autobiographies, either as an essay, a poster, or a computer presentation.

Discover Activity

My Life (Grades 6-8)Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Memory Card Game (Grades 6-8)

STEM, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Memory Card Game (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students make and play a memory card game to work on remembering school facts from one of their subject classes, such as science, social studies, or English.

Discover Activity

Memory Card Game (Grades 6-8)STEM, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

The Road to Becoming a Doctor

Career and Future Readiness, STEM

Grades 9 - 12

The Road to Becoming a Doctor

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students explore 4 different aspects of medical school: prerequisites and applying, schooling, internship, and residency.

Discover Activity

The Road to Becoming a DoctorCareer and Future Readiness, STEM

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Trivia Game: All about France

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Trivia Game: All about France

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in small groups to research France and then create trivia questions and have a contest with another group.

Discover Activity

Trivia Game: All about FranceHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

20 Questions (Grades K-2)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades K - 2

20 Questions (Grades K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, children ask questions to figure out what object the leader is thinking of. Children are prompted to ask yes/no questions about the object to learn new information to help them inform their guesses. Children are then selected to lead the class with assistance.

Discover Activity

20 Questions (Grades K-2)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

All About Me (Grades K-2)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Arts

Grades K - 2

All About Me (Grades K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Representing themselves in visual formats can help young children develop their identity and sense of place in the world by identifying elements and personal items that make up their lives.

Discover Activity

All About Me (Grades K-2)Social and Emotional Awareness, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Build Your Own Obstacle Course

Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

Grades 3 - 5

Build Your Own Obstacle Course

Nickelodeon + Mizzen Education

3 - 5

1 Hour

Obstacle courses are fun for all ages. They allow for creativity and get youth moving in inventive ways. In the 6th activity of The Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module, youth explore different types of movement as they build and navigate obstacle courses.

This is activity 6 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

Discover Activity

Build Your Own Obstacle CourseLeadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 5

Patent for Protective Glasses

STEM, Arts

Grades 6 - 8

Patent for Protective Glasses

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students first learn about the patent and designs of protective glasses, and then brainstorm constraints and ideas for their own inventions that could help society.

Discover Activity

Patent for Protective GlassesSTEM, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Imaginative Play

Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 3 - 5

Imaginative Play

Nickelodeon + Mizzen Education

3 - 5

1 Hour

Release the creativity! In this exhilarating adventure, youth harness the power of fun to create an imaginative role-play where youth explore both fictional and real roles, characters and personas. This lesson takes playing family to a whole new level.

This is activity 7 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

Discover Activity

Imaginative PlayArts, Social and Emotional Awareness

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 5

Art Exhibit: Animal Pinch Pots

Arts, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Art Exhibit: Animal Pinch Pots

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Each student gets the chance to be an artist as they work to create pinch pots with animal faces on them. Once all of the pinch pots are complete, students create an information card to go with their pot and set up their works of art like a museum exhibit.

Discover Activity

Art Exhibit: Animal Pinch PotsArts, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Unusual College Majors

Career and Future Readiness, History and Society

Grades 9 - 12

Unusual College Majors

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students read and discuss online sources about 5 unusual college majors.

Discover Activity

Unusual College MajorsCareer and Future Readiness, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Surprise Talent Show (Grades 9-12)

Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 9 - 12

Surprise Talent Show (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Today is a surprise talent show. Students get to display their skills and talents in an impromptu performance.

Discover Activity

Surprise Talent Show (Grades 9-12)Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Legacy, Pride, and Hope: Ancestors and Their Freedom Dreams

History and Society, Literacy

Grades K - 8

Legacy, Pride, and Hope: Ancestors and Their Freedom Dreams

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

In this activity, students explore the idea of literal and figurative ancestors, and reflect on the legacy of Black American resistance. They will learn how generations of Black Americans have fought for freedom and a better future by exploring an excerpt from the picture book Born on the Water and the photo essay “Hope” from The 1619 Project. As a culminating activity, students will create self-portraits alongside one of their literal or figurative ancestors, inspired by the photos from “Hope.”

Discover Activity

Legacy, Pride, and Hope: Ancestors and Their Freedom DreamsHistory and Society, Literacy

1 Hour 30 Minutes•Grades K - 8

Ping Pong Obstacle Course (Team Building) Game

Leadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 3 - 12

Video

Ping Pong Obstacle Course (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

3 - 12

15 Minutes

Demonstrate your multitasking skills as you race to the finish line while bouncing and balancing a ping pong ball!

Discover Activity

Video

Ping Pong Obstacle Course (Team Building) GameLeadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

15 Minutes•Grades 3 - 12

Teens Curate Teens: Artist Resource Meeting

Arts, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Teens Curate Teens: Artist Resource Meeting

ArtsConnection

9 - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

This is a gathering of all of the artists and curators working together to create the teen art exhibition. They have small group discussions to learn more about one another's roles. Artists get to see the exhibition space or photos/video of the space. Curators present a slide show of the artists' work for everyone to see. Curators give an overview of the theme and why it was chosen, and share important dates to remember, information about artwork delivery, the opening, and the exhibition.

Discover Activity

Teens Curate Teens: Artist Resource MeetingArts, Literacy

1 Hour 30 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

What Was the Marshall Plan? (Grades 6-8)

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

What Was the Marshall Plan? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn about the Marshall Plan, including its main purpose and the countries it helped, allowing students to gain a better understanding of U.S. foreign policy and international relations.

Discover Activity

What Was the Marshall Plan? (Grades 6-8)History and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Mindfulness (Grades 7-10)

Health and Wellness, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 12

Mindfulness (Grades 7-10)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Students will learn that mindfulness means paying attention to the world outside you and to the world inside you as well. In this activity, you lead students in a meditation session. They discover that focusing on the breath is an easy and effective first step to mindfulness and that filling the lungs with air can be all-absorbing and help clear the mind.

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Mindfulness (Grades 7-10)Health and Wellness, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Television Ads

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades K - 2

Television Ads

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Children watch food ads aimed at kids and work together to understand how kids are targeted and the purpose of each ad. This activity builds media literacy and critical thinking skills.

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Television AdsDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Hidden Stars

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 2

Hidden Stars

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, learners create their own stars and explore how size, color, distance, and light affect what we can see in the night sky. Through a hands-on search, they discover why some stars shine brightly while others seem hidden.

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Hidden StarsSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Building Sub-Irrigated Planters

Nature and Wildlife, STEM

Grades 6 - 8

Building Sub-Irrigated Planters

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour 5 Minutes

Sub-irrigated planting systems are a more effective way of providing water to plants, especially as we battle intensified heat waves and prolonged periods of drought due to climate change. This lesson will walk students through the construction of sub-irrigated planters and how we can integrate them into urban green space planning to help support community development and ecosystem support.

This is activity 3 of 3 in the "Sustainable Cities" module from City Parks Foundation.

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Building Sub-Irrigated PlantersNature and Wildlife, STEM

1 Hour 5 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

What Is the World Health Organization?

History and Society, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 3 - 5

What Is the World Health Organization?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Introduce students to the World Health Organization (WHO), a key organization that works to improve people's health around the world. Students will develop global awareness, along with collaboration, art, and speaking skills.

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What Is the World Health Organization?History and Society, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Restructure (Team Building) Game

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM

Grades 3 - 12

Video

Restructure (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

3 - 12

30 Minutes

With your fellow engineers, build and design a structure better than the leader's structure... But wait, there's a catch!

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Video

Restructure (Team Building) GameLeadership and Teamwork, STEM

30 Minutes•Grades 3 - 12

Why Are Pollinators Important?

Nature and Wildlife, STEM

Grades K - 8

Why Are Pollinators Important?

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

From bees to bats and butterflies to beetles, pollinators play a pivotal role in our ecosystem. Bees are among our most important pollinators, with bee populations providing nearly one-third of our food supply and allowing wild plants to produce the foods that form the natural food web base. The iconic monarch butterfly, another impressive pollinator, spreads pollen as it feeds on the nectar of wildflowers while undertaking its stunning 3,000-mile migration from Canada to Mexico and back each year.

Bats are also incredible pollinators, pollinating the fragrant, white, or pale flowers that bloom at night and dispersing the seeds of more than 300 plant species. Can you imagine life without cashews, mangos, carob, dates, figs, papaya, guava, and cloves? These are a few of the many plants which depend on bats for their survival. Bats, hummingbirds, ants, beetles, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, and even lizards are “busy as bees” each spring and summer pollinating flowers.

Did you know that some of the world’s top pollinators are flies? Long-tongue flies, gnats, and yes, even male mosquitoes! Some male mosquitoes help pollinate rare orchids; the pollen grains actually stick to their eyes as they travel from flower to flower. When they dip their proboscis (mouth tube) into the flower to take a sip of nectar, the pollen grains mix, and pollination takes place.¹

1. PollinatorLIVE! https://pollinatorlive.pwnet.org/teacher/info.php

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Why Are Pollinators Important?Nature and Wildlife, STEM

50 Minutes•Grades K - 8

Writer's Block (Team Building) Game

Social and Emotional Awareness, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 3 - 12

Video

Writer's Block (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

3 - 12

10 Minutes

Test your skills by completing a simple task under not-so-ordinary and hilarious conditions!

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Video

Writer's Block (Team Building) GameSocial and Emotional Awareness, Leadership and Teamwork

10 Minutes•Grades 3 - 12

My Talents, Interests, and Strengths

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades K - 5

My Talents, Interests, and Strengths

OregonASK

K - 5

1 Hour

Students read books that help them identify their strengths and interests.

This activity is part 3 of a 5 part activity series: A Hero Among Heroes, The Hero Inside, My Talents, Interests, and Strengths, Super ME Part 1, and Super ME Part 2

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My Talents, Interests, and StrengthsSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

1 Hour•Grades K - 5

Taboo!

Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

Grades 9 - 12

Taboo!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Team competitions are popular among students of all ages. Taboo is a word-guessing game that can be played in teams of 3 people or more. In this activity, students begin by preparing game cards for one another. Then they play several rounds of the game. The goal is to avoid using the taboo words to describe a given word.

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Taboo!Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Dress Code Rules

Social and Emotional Awareness, History and Society

Grades 6 - 8

Dress Code Rules

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students generate and discuss their own pros and cons for a school dress code policy.

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Dress Code RulesSocial and Emotional Awareness, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

A Musical Comic Book

Arts, Literacy

Grades 3 - 8

A Musical Comic Book

Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

1 Hour

Students create a comic story using a Comic Book Key Code. They develop an understanding of pattern and symbols, which are two key elements of writing jazz music.

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A Musical Comic BookArts, Literacy

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 8

Rebus Puzzles (Team Building) Game

STEM, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 12

Video

Rebus Puzzles (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

6 - 12

25 Minutes

Work in teams to solve and decode complex puzzles and problems. But keep it on the downlow, other teams may try to steal your answers!

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Video

Rebus Puzzles (Team Building) GameSTEM, Social and Emotional Awareness

25 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Create a Plate

Health and Wellness, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 2

Create a Plate

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

A healthy diet is essential to help children grow and develop. First, children will discuss the benefits of eating healthfully and learn about the food groups. Then, they will then create a plate with their own healthy meal using what they have learned.

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Create a PlateHealth and Wellness, Nature and Wildlife

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

People, Places, and Things (Grades 9-12)

Literacy, Arts

Grades 9 - 12

People, Places, and Things (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students create story ideas by considering random people, places, and things. This activity builds writing skills and inspires creativity.

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People, Places, and Things (Grades 9-12)Literacy, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

U.S. Government: Who Writes Laws for People to Follow?

History and Society, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades K - 2

U.S. Government: Who Writes Laws for People to Follow?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Young children may know who the President is, but they may not understand the role of the President and Congress in passing laws. In this activity, children explore and model the legislative process.

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U.S. Government: Who Writes Laws for People to Follow?History and Society, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Simultaneous Chess

STEM, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 8

Simultaneous Chess

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

One highly skilled chess player plays simultaneously against two or more opponents. This activity builds planning, logic, strategy, and cooperative learning skills.

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Simultaneous ChessSTEM, Leadership and Teamwork

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

OnTRaC: Acting the Interview

Literacy, Arts

Grades 9 - 12

OnTRaC: Acting the Interview

ArtsConnection

9 - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Theater exercises allow young people to practice eye contact, projecting their voices, and speaking with confidence – skills necessary in theater, as well as in job interviews. In an arts-led strengths inventory, students brainstorm careers, jobs, personal and academic interests. Then, they role-play or improvise a simple interview scene - taking turns being the interviewee and being the interviewer to build their confidence in speaking in more formal scenarios like a job interview.

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OnTRaC: Acting the InterviewLiteracy, Arts

1 Hour 30 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Why Is the Fourteenth Amendment Important Today?

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Why Is the Fourteenth Amendment Important Today?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students learn about the Fourteenth Amendment, with a specific focus on the equal protection clause. In addition to extending their knowledge and understanding of this amendment and its application in landmark Supreme Court cases, students develop key analytical, collaboration, and speaking skills.

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Why Is the Fourteenth Amendment Important Today?History and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Networking Circles

Career and Future Readiness, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 9 - 12

Networking Circles

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students identify similar interests and career goals, which they apply to model a business or professional network.

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