Lesson Plans
Still listed here are some freely available educational resources to promote interest in the professions of engineering and geoscience.
Engage your students with the classroom-ready lesson plans below focused on engineering and geoscience.
| Grade | Lesson Plan | Teaching Time |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Home for a Hamster | 65 minutes |
| Grade 2 | The Water Cycle Keeps Going Around | 65 minutes |
| Grade 3 | Changing Landforms | 60 minutes |
| Grade 4 | Energy Transformations | 85 minutes |
Home for a Hamster
Grade 1 Lesson Plan
Home for a Hamster is an ADST building activity that provides an engaging task to address social studies and math content. Students are introduced to shapes that can be used to create structures, then are given a design challenge. It also includes a career element introducing students to structures that engineers create and how they work to solve building challenges in communities.
| Area | Curriculum Connection |
|---|---|
| Social Studies | We shape the local environment, and the local environment shapes who we are and how we live. |
| Math | Objects and shapes have attributes that can be described, measured, and compared. |
| ADST | Designs grow out of natural curiosity and skills can be developed through play. |
Download the Home for a Hamster Lesson Plan:
Lesson Plan | PowerPoint Slides | Science Journal Template | Geometric Shapes Template
The Water Cycle Keeps Going Around
Grade 2 Lesson Plan
Fresh water is essential to all life. Where does it come from, where does it go, and how does it come back? Students will create their own water cycle, then think about how important fresh water is to us. They are introduced to the many engineering and geoscience careers that are connected to water in our daily lives.
| Area | Curriculum Connection |
|---|---|
| Science (General) | Water is essential to all living things, and it cycles through the environment. |
| Water Cycle | The water cycle is driven by the sun and includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. |
Download the Water Cycle Keeps Going Around Lesson Plan:
Lesson Plan | PowerPoint Slides | Water Cycle Template
Changing Landforms
Grade 3 Lesson Plan
Students participate in a place-based activity, learning about erosion and landform features by creating small streams. Water flowing down a slope prompts discussions about what engineers and geoscientists must consider when designing roads and structures. Indigenous place names can be a springboard for how names are chosen for local places.
| Area | Curriculum Connection |
|---|---|
| Science (General) |
|
Download the Changing Landforms Lesson Plan:
Lesson Plan | PowerPoint Slides | Observable Erosion and Deposition Assessment Tool | Teacher Assessment Tool
Energy Transformations
Grade 4 Lesson Plan
| Area | Curriculum Connection |
|---|---|
| Science |
|
Download the Energy Transformations Lesson Plan:
Lesson Plan | PowerPoint Slides | Energy Transformation Journal Template | Math Symbols Template | Energy Station Template | Teacher Background Information
Sign Up for Our STEM Mailing List
Do you want to hear more about ways to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)? Sign up for our STEM mailing list now!
Questions?
Please email [email protected] if you have questions about the lesson plans.