The Real World Science curriculum guide offers phenomena-based activities that engage students in the practices of science and engineering. Integrating STEM and history, Real World Science lessons show students how science and technology helped the United States overcome big challenges during World War II. This interdisciplinary curriculum also incorporates mathematics and literacy and is meant to support both teachers in self-contained classrooms as well as teams of teachers who work across disciplines.
Engineering Skills: Assembly Lines
Give students a summary of Systems
Engineering, Assembly Lines, Reverse
Engineering, and the Design Process.
Melting Marshmallows
In Melting Marshmallows, students, with
supervision, estimate the speed of light and
discuss the difference between the speeds
of light and sound using other more common
examples, like fireworks and lightning.
Make a Wave
In Make a Wave, a slinky and a student
wave (wave in a stadium crowd) are used to
explore the concepts of waves, frequency,
and pitch.
Track the Blip
Students use Track the Blip to start
developing their ideas about how waves can
be used to find out about the world around
us.
Trajectory
Students need many opportunities to practice
mathematical reasoning and experience the relationship
between math and science.
Make a Calculator
Students need opportunities to practice
proportional reasoning and experience the
interrelationship between math and science.
How Big Was World War II?
This is an introduction into using numbers
to tell the story of an event.
Production for Victory
This activity will give students experience
using math to estimate the scale of
manufacturing required for World War
II.
Engineering Skills: Inspected By
This activity will give students a way to
practice making data tables and calculating
percentages.
