All Activities

Make It Move! 5: Transportation Prototype Naming

Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Make It Move! 5: Transportation Prototype Naming

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students brainstorm and decide on names for their amazing transportation inventions.

This is Part 5 of 6 in the Make It Move! series, with activities designed to build upon each another:

Make It Move! 1: Transportation Prototype Brainstorm

Make It Move! 2: Transportation Prototype Selection

Make It Move! 3: Transportation Prototype Build

Make It Move! 4: Transportation Prototype Test & Modify

Make It Move! 5: Transportation Prototype Naming

Make It Move! 6: Transportation Prototype Presentations

Discover Activity

Make It Move! 5: Transportation Prototype Naming

Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

A Good Hook (Grades 6-8)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

A Good Hook (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students practice developing and delivering different types of hooks (an engaging opening that captures the attention of a reader, listener, or viewer) in pairs or groups. Students then present their hooks to the group.

Discover Activity

A Good Hook (Grades 6-8)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Talk Show Time

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Talk Show Time

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students stage their own talk shows and take turns being the talk show host and guest in front of their peers.

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Talk Show Time

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Clay Coil Snake

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Clay Coil Snake

OregonASK

3 - 12

1 Hour

Students explore coils, coils are the first technique to learn in clay class. The coil technique can be used to make coil pots and also as a way to form larger structures later on. Below are basic instructions for a coil snake, which is the method for creating coils for any project.

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Clay Coil Snake

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

What Was the Cold War? (Grades 3-5)

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

What Was the Cold War? (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students explore the Cold War through the experiences of life in Berlin, Germany. Students divide into 2 teams separated by a “wall.” Each team reads a book about the Berlin Wall and illustrates what they imagine life was like in Berlin, based on the books. Student teams then “smuggle” their work across the wall.

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What Was the Cold War? (Grades 3-5)

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Entrepreneurship: Meeting a Need

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, We The People

Entrepreneurship: Meeting a Need

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students explore the role of needs and wants in the economy. They begin by identifying examples of needs and wants and then learn that entrepreneurs come up with business ideas to meet a need or a want. They work in groups to list personal needs and wants. In teams, they select 1 of the needs or wants they identified and brainstorm an idea for a good or service to meet it. Together, they create a pitch to “sell” their idea. To complete the activity, they pitch their business ideas to the group.

Discover Activity

Entrepreneurship: Meeting a Need

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, We The People

Catch that Firefly

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Catch that Firefly

Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

1 Hour

Students identify the 3/2 Clave Rhythm through a story. They then apply their own rhythm to an everyday act, such as washing dishes or doing laundry.

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Catch that Firefly

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

What Contains Carbon?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

What Contains Carbon?

California Academy of Sciences

3 - 8

50 Minutes

What kinds of everyday objects contain carbon? Students recognize where carbon is found and start thinking about how it cycles through the environment.

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What Contains Carbon?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

What Does It Mean to Help People Be More Equal?

We The People, Belonging and Community

What Does It Mean to Help People Be More Equal?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Through drawing and writing, students identify and analyze problems that many people face on a daily basis as a result of global inequality. They analyze the consequences of inequality and the efforts to bring more equality to communities.

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What Does It Mean to Help People Be More Equal?

We The People, Belonging and Community

Computer Viruses and Malware

Digital Voices, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Computer Viruses and Malware

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn about computer viruses and other forms of malware. They begin by relating computer viruses to biological viruses. Students break into teams to investigate 1 type of malware. They use information gleaned from a video and an article to prepare a computer health advisory poster, which they display for the group. To wrap up the activity, students take turns presenting and answering questions about their posters.

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Computer Viruses and Malware

Digital Voices, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

All About Me (Grades 3-5)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

All About Me (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students create a poster about themselves. This activity can help students to develop a public identity and sense of place in the world.

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All About Me (Grades 3-5)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Emotional Triggers

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives, Whole Body, Whole Self

Emotional Triggers

kid-grit

3 - 5

15 Minutes

Through this interactive icebreaker, students will learn valuable skills in expressing, exploring, and dealing with their feelings positively and constructively. This sets the stage for a supportive and emotionally intelligent learning environment.

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Emotional Triggers

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives, Whole Body, Whole Self

Pet Match

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Pet Match

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students role-play prospective pet owners who are deciding which type of pet to adopt and work together to determine the benefits and drawbacks of owning each type of pet.

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Pet Match

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Functional Fitness Week 3: Day 2

Whole Body, Whole Self, Leadership and Teamwork

Functional Fitness Week 3: Day 2

Active Kids and Minds

K - 8

40 Minutes

Continue learning week 2 skill of the week: Metrics. In this activity, students continue measuring in their physical abilities by participating in a 400 meter run for time. Then, they learn the nutrients responsible for a vegetable's color.

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.

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Functional Fitness Week 3: Day 2

Whole Body, Whole Self, Leadership and Teamwork

Recording an Interview Practice

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Recording an Interview Practice

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Introduction:

Action! It’s time to start rehearsals. In this lesson, students learn how to operate a recording device as they rehearse their interviews.

This is lesson 28 of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs' second module, Building a News Hour.

Discover Activity

Recording an Interview Practice

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Halloween

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Halloween

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Children listen to a Halloween-themed book, then make Halloween trick-or-treat bags.

Discover Activity

Halloween

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Clay Pinch Pot

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Clay Pinch Pot

OregonASK

K - 5

1 Hour

Students learn how to sculpt clay into Pinch Pots. Pinch Pots have a multi purposes and students find out what those are.

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Clay Pinch Pot

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Equation Assembly Line

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives

Equation Assembly Line

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Beginning algebra students often struggle with using variables to represent unknown or unspecified quantities. They also may feel more confident solving a problem or equation that uses relatively simple numbers, such as 2x – 7 = 3, compared to less familiar numbers, such as 14x – 75 = 23. In this activity, students will apply an assembly-line model to generate and solve a variety of equations of the form ax + b = c or ax – b = c, in which a, b, and c represent positive integers. The end product will be flash cards or note cards for modeling the solution for this type of equation.

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Equation Assembly Line

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives

Too Early for School?

Belonging and Community, We The People

Too Early for School?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students debate whether their school starts too early, citing specific reasons why the school’s start time has a positive or negative effect. They also apply what they discussed to write letters to their teachers or school administrators, with the goal of promoting their ideas and suggestions.

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Too Early for School?

Belonging and Community, We The People

Word Box

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Word Box

After-School All-Stars

6 - 12

5 Minutes

This quick mini word game gets students ready to learn by having some fun together.

Discover Activity

Word Box

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

What is Green Infrastructure?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

What is Green Infrastructure?

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

1 Hour

Youth explore the concept of green infrastructure and its innovative solutions for sustainable water management in urban areas.

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What is Green Infrastructure?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Signs of Winter

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Signs of Winter

National Wildlife Federation

K - 5

50 Minutes

Seasons change throughout the year because of the Earth’s tilt. Earth sits on an invisible access, and as it revolves around the sun, the amount of sunlight we receive in the United States changes. In winter, the U.S. gets less sunlight, and therefore we see cooler temperatures and changes in precipitation, animal behavior, and plants, shrubs, and trees. Signs of winter include:

● most grasses are brown—lying dormant for the winter to conserve water and nutrients

● frozen ponds/streams

● cozy squirrel nests

● trees with no leaves

● buds on trees/shrubs that will become

● new leaves or flowers in the spring

● temperatures are cooler/colder; people may be wearing hats and coats

● birds with fluffed up feathers

● dogs with thicker layers of fur

● snow

● holly bush with red berries

Discover Activity

Signs of Winter

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Uncover the Secret

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Uncover the Secret

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this interactive session, students are divided into Secret Keepers and Interviewers, each with a unique role. Secret Keepers will hold mysterious secrets while Interviewers will try to unveil them through strategic questioning, body language, and vocal tone.

This is lesson 17 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

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Uncover the Secret

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Don't Go (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Don't Go (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

3 - 12

10 Minutes

Using only opposite directions from your parter, quickly navigate a maze with your eyes closed!

Discover Activity

Don't Go (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Quality Education for All

We The People, Belonging and Community

Quality Education for All

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students define the concept of a quality education. Students discuss the material (e.g. books) and non-material (e.g. a safe environment) needs are most necessary for a quality education. To conclude, students begin to plan a potential service project to promote quality education for all.

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Quality Education for All

We The People, Belonging and Community

Wacky Sentences

Stories and Perspectives, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Wacky Sentences

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students determine and construct sentences from a series of words. First, students pair off. Then, the partners write out a sentence, writing one word each on sticky notes and putting the words in random order. Another pair of students must put the sticky notes in the correct order to reconstruct the sentence. Finally, students reconvene as a whole group for discussion.

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Wacky Sentences

Stories and Perspectives, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

What Would You Do?

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

What Would You Do?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students think about making difficult decisions and write about the choices made in tough situations. Then they consider the short-term and long-term consequences of those choices.

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What Would You Do?

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Music and Rhythm (Grades 6-8)

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Music and Rhythm (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students use their hands on their bodies and on the floor in front of them to tap out rhythms. Students start with slow 2-beat rhythms and then add a finger snap and additional beats. The beats gradually become more complicated to remember. Then they will stand up, add music, and create more full body rhythmic movements as a whole group. Finally, they will form small groups to choose pieces of music and create rhythmic performances.

Discover Activity

Music and Rhythm (Grades 6-8)

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Word Hunt (Grades 3-5)

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Word Hunt (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this game, students search for words hidden around the school yard. When time is up, students work together to combine their words into meaningful sentences. This game builds collaborative learning skills, and helps students stay physically and mentally active.

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Word Hunt (Grades 3-5)

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Draw an Animal Habitat

The Natural World, Arts in Action

Draw an Animal Habitat

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

An animal's habitat suits its specific needs for food, water, and shelter. In this activity, students investigate and study the animals that live on plains, ice floes, and other habitats. They draw an environment to show some of the animals that live there.

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Draw an Animal Habitat

The Natural World, Arts in Action

What Was the Truman Doctrine?

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

What Was the Truman Doctrine?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students develop key critical thinking and collaborations skills, as well as gain a better understanding of international relations. The activity introduces students to the Truman Doctrine, which shaped U.S. foreign policy in response to the Soviet Union.

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What Was the Truman Doctrine?

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Building Card Houses

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Building Card Houses

OregonASK

6 - 8

1 Hour

Students work with cards to complete a structure-building challenge.

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Building Card Houses

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Plan a Business

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Plan a Business

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in small groups to propose a new business that they could open in their community and write a social media marketing plan for it. This activity builds critical-thinking and collaboration skills.

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Plan a Business

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Roundtable Review

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Roundtable Review

After-School All-Stars

6 - 12

5 Minutes

Use this creative way to get students ready to learn by reviewing previous lessons. Students help each other remember the highlights of past lessons and be ready to move on to new information.

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Roundtable Review

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Grocery List (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Grocery List (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

3 - 12

20 Minutes

With limited time, test your memory by remembering long lists of groceries without being able to write anything down.

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Grocery List (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Call to Service (Grades 9-12)

Belonging and Community, We The People

Call to Service (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students research and create a slideshow presentation about a service project that they think is worthy of their efforts in a future afterschool session. The group then votes on which project to take on in a future session.

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Call to Service (Grades 9-12)

Belonging and Community, We The People

Perspective on Energy

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Perspective on Energy

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

We often hear contradicting or conflicting perspectives about “clean” or “dirty” energy sources. Students review the most common forms of energy and read perspectives about how these energy sources impact the environment. They evaluate the sources to help them determine which are reliable and trustworthy and which share misleading or false information.

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Perspective on Energy

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Act It Out: Improvisation

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Act It Out: Improvisation

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students act out improvised scenes in groups of 3. Each student contributes a scene component, such as character, setting, and conflict or motivation.

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Act It Out: Improvisation

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Bicycle 2.0

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

Bicycle 2.0

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

All of us are familiar with bicycles, and many of us enjoy riding them. What if we could make that experience even better? In today’s activity, students create new designs for bicycles to make them more convenient or useful for transportation.

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Bicycle 2.0

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

Is This Brand Socially Responsible?

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, We The People

Is This Brand Socially Responsible?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students explore the concept of corporate social responsibility and greenwashing. They work in small groups to research a company’s social responsibility practices. Then, they create an advertisement for the company’s product, based on their research. When they finish, they share their completed ad with the group and discuss ways in which companies can become more socially responsible.

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Is This Brand Socially Responsible?

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, We The People

Loose Parts

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Loose Parts

Rediscover Center

K - 5

25 Minutes

In this activity, students will explore a variety of Loose Parts, sort them into different categories, and lay them out to make a self-portrait. Loose Parts consists of a collection of different easy and free to collect household and outdoor materials.

There are two modes of this activity: a Sorting Activity and a Self Portrait Activity.

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Loose Parts

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Draw Three

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Draw Three

VentureLab

K - 2

25 Minutes

Students become entrepreneurs as they draw three objects from a hat and transform them into a new product.

This activity was designed as Part 5 of 5 in a series created by VentureLab. Check out the "Intro to Entrepreneurship" lesson to see more.

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Draw Three

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Invasive Species Management Poster

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Invasive Species Management Poster

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour 15 Minutes

Using their research and data from the previous lessons, in this module, students will put together a proposal for how to manage invasive species in their region. This lesson will strengthen their team building, research, and presentation skills all which are necessary to foster community advocacy towards a more environmentally conscious future.

This is activity 5 of 5 in the "Invasive Species" module from City Parks Foundation.

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Invasive Species Management Poster

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Write a Children’s Story

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Write a Children’s Story

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students work in small groups to write and illustrate a children’s story. Students will also collaborate to review their peers’ work and then share their feedback in groups.

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Write a Children’s Story

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Mystery Box

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Mystery Box

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students use their powers of observation to make educated guesses about the contents of closed shoeboxes. This activity builds observational and scientific inquiry skills.

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Mystery Box

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Stare, But Don't Pair (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Stare, But Don't Pair (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

3 - 12

10 Minutes

This activity is literally "out of sight"! Be careful of who you stare at, it will get you removed from the game!

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Stare, But Don't Pair (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Give One, Get One (Grades 9-12)

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Give One, Get One (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students read and interpret a poem. They record their thoughts and ideas about the poem and then share ideas for writing a poem of their own during a “Give one, Get one” group activity. Students will discover that poetry can take on many forms and present a variety of subjects, all depending on the mindset, imagination, and writing skills of the author.

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Give One, Get One (Grades 9-12)

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

What Is the Legislative Branch?

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

What Is the Legislative Branch?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students explore the legislative branch of the U.S. government by distinguishing the 3 branches of government and describing the main purpose of the legislative branch at the local, state, and federal levels.

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What Is the Legislative Branch?

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Data Breaches and Cybersecurity

Digital Voices, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Data Breaches and Cybersecurity

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students explore the issues caused by security breaches and online identity theft. In particular, they focus on how e-commerce and other online activities, including the use of social media, expose one’s personal information. Students identify major data security breaches of the past 20 years and then analyze data breaches from a variety of companies. Finally, they use what they have learned to recommend cybersecurity tips for consumers.

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Data Breaches and Cybersecurity

Digital Voices, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Rules of Discussion (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Rules of Discussion (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work together in teams to come up with rules for discussion and then test out the rules as they discuss a topic that may generate differing opinions.

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Rules of Discussion (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Communication Pyramids at Work

Leadership and Teamwork, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Communication Pyramids at Work

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students explore the role of communication in hierarchical businesses. They begin by playing a game of telephone to explore the challenges of communicating in large groups of people. They then learn how hierarchies are used to streamline communication within businesses. Finally, students split into teams to communicate within a simulated business hierarchy.

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Communication Pyramids at Work

Leadership and Teamwork, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Planning a Group Presentation

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Planning a Group Presentation

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn steps to follow when planning a presentation, and then they practice those steps for a group presentation on a topic of their choice. This activity builds organizational skills, as well as skills in collaboration, speaking, and listening.

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Planning a Group Presentation

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Float, Carry & Roll (Team Building) Game

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Leadership and Teamwork

Float, Carry & Roll (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

3 - 12

30 Minutes

With limited time and supplies, engineer a vessel that can float, carry, and roll your haul from point A to B!

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Float, Carry & Roll (Team Building) Game

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Leadership and Teamwork

Gumdrop Structure Challenge

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Gumdrop Structure Challenge

OregonASK

6 - 8

1 Hour

Students use gumdrops to design a structure that can hold the weight of a textbook. Students engage in a fun activity, expanding their knowledge and creativity.

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Gumdrop Structure Challenge

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Making Comics Part 1: Characters and Setting

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Making Comics Part 1: Characters and Setting

OregonASK

3 - 12

30 Minutes

This simple and fun comics activity is about creating a comic book character and the world that they live in.

This activity is part 1 of 7 in a series. Go further by facilitating the Making Comics Part 2 and the following activities.

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Making Comics Part 1: Characters and Setting

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Guess My Secret Word

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Guess My Secret Word

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students will apply language and communication skills to trick one another into saying their secret words. The activity builds language and vocabulary skills as students get to know one another.

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Guess My Secret Word

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

What is Causing the Current Climate Change? - Part 1

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

What is Causing the Current Climate Change? - Part 1

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

1 Hour

Students conduct a short literature review to determine the leading cause of the current Climate Change.

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What is Causing the Current Climate Change? - Part 1

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

A News Show Structure: Organizing Run-of-Shows

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

A News Show Structure: Organizing Run-of-Shows

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Welcome, News Producers! Today, we're unraveling the art of crafting compelling news shows. Collaborate, reconstruct, and curate your 60-minute news masterpiece as you analyze and build a run-of-show. Explore the audience's psyche and weave stories that resonate—craft a captivating news narrative together!

This activity is 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.

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A News Show Structure: Organizing Run-of-Shows

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

A Spelling Bee for You and Me

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

A Spelling Bee for You and Me

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in teams to compete in a spelling contest. They develop skills in spelling and teamwork.

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A Spelling Bee for You and Me

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

The Hobbit

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

The Hobbit

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students delve into the fantasy world of The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien. They explore the characters, settings, and themes of the novel and then portray characters or scenes from the story. Students do not need to have read The Hobbit to enjoy this activity.

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The Hobbit

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Weather, Plants, and Animals

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Weather, Plants, and Animals

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

Animals have a close relationship with the weather. Animals become accustomed to specific temperatures, plants, prey assortments, and precipitation, and when that changes, living conditions can be difficult, causing the animals to move or, in some cases, perish. As climate changes, we see more animal migrations. With extreme weather conditions occurring more frequently and with greater severity, it’s even more important we are doing our part to build, restore and protect wildlife habitat.

Spring is known as a time of renewal. Most places around the nation are seeing warmer temperatures, more rainfall, new plant growth, and a greater abundance of food for animals to enjoy as they prepare to mate and give birth to the next generation. The focus of this activity will be on springtime characteristics and observations of nature in spring.

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Weather, Plants, and Animals

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Should You Always Tell the Truth? (Grades 9-12)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Should You Always Tell the Truth? (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students work in groups to discuss examples of lying in daily life. They decide whether or not each lie was the right choice. Then they tally their results and compare them with the results of the other groups.

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Should You Always Tell the Truth? (Grades 9-12)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

The Big Easy: Day 1 Lesson

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

The Big Easy: Day 1 Lesson

Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

1 Hour

Welcome to Lesson 1 of Jazz at Lincoln Center's module, "The Big Easy"! Dive into the captivating world of art and music as students explore how artists and musicians bring stories to life. Discover the magic of beat, tempo, and lines as students create their first masterpiece, setting the stage for an inspiring journey ahead.

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The Big Easy: Day 1 Lesson

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Combat Global Climate Change—and Make Money, Too!

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Combat Global Climate Change—and Make Money, Too!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Student teams research various technologies and strategies for combating global climate change, including carbon capture, biofuel production, and new systems for mass transit. They recognize that each of these technologies could offer a huge profit for a savvy entrepreneur or business.

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Combat Global Climate Change—and Make Money, Too!

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Evolution (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Evolution (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

3 - 12

10 Minutes

Evolve into a newer, larger and more animated character as you compete in a hilarious rendition of rock, paper, scissors!

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Evolution (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students complete a Bingo card about themselves and then play a collaborative Bingo game, learning personality traits and fun facts about one another along the way.

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Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Design Your Own Word Game

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Design Your Own Word Game

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students work in groups to create a prototype for a new word game. First, students use existing word games as inspiration to create a new one. Then, the groups rotate, playing the new games and giving feedback to be used as improvements for the prototype. Finally, students reconvene as a whole group for discussion.

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Design Your Own Word Game

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

California Academy of Sciences

3 - 8

2 Hours

How can we determine the locations of tectonic plate boundaries? How can we use seismic waves to pinpoint the epicenter of an earthquake? Students will explore these and other questions using seismic data and triangulation.

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Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Double the Puzzles, Double the Fun!

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Double the Puzzles, Double the Fun!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students create a two-sided jigsaw puzzle. One side will be a printed picture, and the other will be a drawing they have created. Double the puzzles, double the fun!

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Double the Puzzles, Double the Fun!

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Merry Mix Jigsaw

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Merry Mix Jigsaw

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Each student receives an index card that describes a mixture, a tool, or a physical property. Their task is to match their card with 2 other cards. Taken together as a trio, the cards describe a successful way to use the tool to separate a mixture using a physical property.

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Merry Mix Jigsaw

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Speed of the Human Nervous System

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Speed of the Human Nervous System

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students measure their reaction time to a stimulus. They determine whether reaction time improves with practice and whether it is affected by distractions. Students also learn that reacting to stimuli involves coordination and communication between the eyes and brain of the nervous system and the hand muscles of the muscular system.

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Speed of the Human Nervous System

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

The EU: A Brief History (and more!) of The European Union

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

The EU: A Brief History (and more!) of The European Union

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students work in pairs to learn about the European Union and create and share a 1-minute presentation about it.

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The EU: A Brief History (and more!) of The European Union

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Hot 21st Century Careers

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Stories and Perspectives

Hot 21st Century Careers

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students read online sources about careers that will likely be in demand in the upcoming year: physical therapist, security manager, financial tech professional, and in-home care provider.

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Hot 21st Century Careers

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Stories and Perspectives

Journey in Time: The Lyrics of 1960s Protest Songs

Stories and Perspectives, We The People

Journey in Time: The Lyrics of 1960s Protest Songs

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Much of the music of the 1960s is well known for its social commentary. Students will read the lyrics of 6 songs from this era and use them to write a new song that conveys a message for our time. They will also explore how the perceptions of a writer and reader can be the same or different.

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Journey in Time: The Lyrics of 1960s Protest Songs

Stories and Perspectives, We The People

Animal Homes

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Animal Homes

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

As humans, we live in homes for many of the same reasons animals live in homes, and just like animal homes, our human homes come in many different shapes and sizes, are built with a wide range of materials, and are built to withstand the climates in which we live.

A variety of factors affect the ability of wildlife to survive. An animal’s habitat must provide food, water, shelter from weather and predators, and a safe place to raise its young. Many animals, from ants and beavers to wolverines and yellow jackets, alter their surroundings to build their own homes. Children will be making observations of the animals and homes they find while outside.

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Animal Homes

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore