A Cargo Contest
Students will design and construct boats for maximum weight capacity.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.4.3.C.1, 3.4.3.C.3
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Amazing Aqueducts
Students will work in a group to design a pipeline that conveys water around obstacles without leaking.
Grade Level:
6 -12
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Archimedes’ Bathtub
Students will experiment the proof of Archimedes’ Principle utilizing a Force Sensor.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.2.7.B1
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Baffled by Buoyancy
Students will achieve and discuss neutral buoyancy based on factors that relate to the wastewater treatment process.
Grade Level:
6 -12
PA Standard(s):
3.2.7.B1, 3.2.10.B1
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Big Fish, Small Pond
Students will observe the evidence of pollution in various bodies of water around the world.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Bubble Blowers
Students will investigate the properties of bubbles and design and test various bubble wands.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Bubbles and Buoyancy
Students will compare the buoyancy of an object submerged in water to its buoyancy in bubbly water.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.2.1.A1
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Bubbles and Density
Students will determine whether a liquid will sink or float in water by comparing its density to the density of water.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.2.6.A2, 3.2.6.A6
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Build it like an Engineer
Given a set of criteria and time constraints, students will build the tallest, freestanding structure out of simple materials using the efforts of all team members.
Grade Level:
K - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.4.8.C2, 3.4.3.C2, 3.4.5.C1
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Caddisfly Activity
Students will complete a craft activity to demonstrate protective casings on caddisfly larvae.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.1.PK.A3, 3.1.PK.C3
Category:
Watersheds and Wetlands
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Changing Caterpillar
Students will explore the lifecycle of a caterpillar/butterfly.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.1.PK.A3, 3.1.PK.C3
Category:
Biological Sciences
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Cleaning Water
Students will explore water filtration and its relation to wastewater treatment.
Grade Level:
Pre K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.2.PK.A6 , 3.3.PK.A4
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Coding Cargo
Students will create a watercraft using various materials powered by a Sphero Bolt.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.210.B7 and 3.4.10.A2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Construction Conundrum
Students acting as contractors will use information provided by the foreman to build a replica of a model observed only by the foreman.
Grade Level:
6 -12
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Cookie Mining
Students will model the effects of mining in the environment using a chocolate chip cookie.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
4.1.5.A
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Crazy Cup Challenge
Students will participate in a series of challenges from different STEM areas, all of which utilize cups.
Grade Level:
K - 8
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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CSO Flag
Using a nylon flag, students will create a public service message to inform the public about the dangers of sewer overflows occurring along local waterways.
Grade Level:
K - 8
PA Standard(s):
4.5.1.C, 4.5.7.C
Category:
Humans and the Environment
Classroom Setting:
Classroom and Afterschool
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Does it Dissolve?
Students will be able to investigate and identify solids that dissolve in water.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.1PK.A6, 3.2 PK.A.1
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Don’t Spill the Beans
Students will construct a device to safely drop an egg without breaking it.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Drains, Pipes, & Interceptors… Oh My!
Students will be introduced to the process of moving wastewater to the treatment center (ALCOSAN). Students will also understand that when wastewater is not treated, it can be harmful to humans and aquatic life.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Drip, Drip, Drop!
Students will test a variety of materials to explore absorption of fabric.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.2.PK.A6
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Fish Love ALCOSAN
Students will make a connection between clean water and increasing fish populations.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.1.PK.A2, 4.1.PK.D
Category:
Ecology
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Flying Fish
Students will use the engineering design process to create a device that will launch a rubber fish the farthest distance.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Frankie to the Rescue
Students will identify pollutants in the water that adversely affect the aquatic life.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Watersheds and Wetlands
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Frankie’s 3R’s Relay
Students will rethink their current methods of trash removal by identifying the benefits of reducing, reusing, and recycling used items (trash).
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
4.5.K.D, 4.5.2.D
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Frankie’s Green Technology
Students will build an urban stormwater model and a green technology stormwater model to demonstrate how green technology reduces stormwater runoff.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.4.3.E2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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From Roots to Leaves
Students will observe water climbing up a paper towel and compare it to water traveling through the root systems of plants.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Biological Sciences
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Go Away Germs
Students will learn how easily germs can spread and the importance of hand-washing with soap by participating in a hands-on science demonstration.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
10.2 PK.A, 10.5 PK.C
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Go With the Flow
Students will explore how water travels from their homes to ALCOSAN through pipes.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.2.PK.A6, 3.3.PK.A4
Category:
Earth and Space Sciences
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Home Sweet Home
Students will observe the evidence of pollution in various bodies of water around the world.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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How Far Can You Go?
Students will create a path for the Sphero Indi robot to see how far it travel in one run.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
1B.CS.02 and 1B.AP.10
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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If I Were a Seed, What Would I Need?
Students will identify the needs of a seed and model the seed germinating life cycle.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.1.PK.A3, 3.1.PK.A5
Category:
Biological Sciences
Weather Permitting: Activity can be conducted outside.
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Jobs at ALCOSAN
Students will identify tools used by different jobs at ALCOSAN
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.1PK.A2, 3.2 PK.A.1
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Keep our H2O Good to Go
Students will observe the evidence of pollution in various bodies of water around the world.
Grade Level:
6 -12
PA Standard(s):
4.5.10.C
Category:
Watersheds and Wetlands
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Left at the Landfill
Students will design a landfill while exploring its purpose and how is it hazardous to the environment.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
34.1.6.D
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Litter Critters
Students will identify and sort animals that live in leaf litter.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
4.1.PK.A, 4.1.PK.D
Category:
Ecology
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Little Bits of Fun
Students will create circuits and invent a self-driving car.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.4.7.A1
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
*this activity takes longer than 45 minutes
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Living Downstream
Students will be able to identify how water affects another person’s access to safe, clean drinking water.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
4.2.7.A
Category:
Watersheds and Wetlands
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Low Impact Design
Students will investigate low impact development options and calculate the difference in stormwater runoff in given areas with and without low impact development.
Grade Level:
9 - 12
PA Standard(s):
4.5.12.A
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Luck of the Draw: Engineering
Using the materials given, students will complete a series of engineering challenges.
Grade Level:
6 -12
PA Standard(s):
3.4.8.C2, 3.4.12.C2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Magnet Mania
Students will coinvestigate properties of magnetic force.
Grade Level:
K - 8
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Making Bubbles
Students will investigate properties of water as it relates to wastewater treatment and the formation of bubbles.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Marble Run Challenge
Students will construct a marble run by using the engineering design process and a set of materials to allow a single marble to run through.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Measure Up!
Students will use the scientific method by comparing weights of various objects.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
2.4.PK.MP
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Molecular H2O Tag
Students will investigate molecules through interactive play.
Grade Level:
K - 8
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Biological Sciences
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Munchin’ Micros
Students will recognize the importance of microorganisms and practice graphing and literacy skills.
Grade Level:
Pre K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.1.PK.A9, 3.2.PK.A1
Category:
Biological Sciences
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Paper Plate Weaving
Students will identify polymers, fibers and textiles by weaving fabrics together to create an art project.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Permeable Sidewalk
Students will experiment and evaluate the different ratios of materials to predict how infiltration rates change with different material combinations, while creating pervious pavement.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.4.7.B2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
Teacher will need to test the activity with students following the visit.
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Pipeline Power
Students will construct a pipe structure given a set of criteria and constraints.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.4.8.C2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Polymers: the Science of Slime
Students will investigate the unique properties of polymers, and compare a polymer that has been cross-linked to the original form.
Grade Level:
K - 8
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Putrid Rain
Students will use acidic, basic, and neutral solutions to simulate ocean acidification.
Grade Level:
9 - 12
PA Standard(s):
3.2.12.A4
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Racing Liquids
Students will compare the thickness of water to the thickness of a liquid similar in appearance.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.2.K.A1
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Radical Reactions
Students will experiment with different solutions to create a chemical reaction.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.2.3.A4
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Rainbow Connections
Students will explain how light refracts when it passes through water droplets and demonstrate a rainbow through capillary action.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.2.4.B5, 3.2.2.A4
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Rainbow Magic
Students will explore ways to create a rainbow with chemical reactions.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.1PK.A6, 3.2 PK.A.1
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Reaching Your Limits
Students will perform a series of dilutions to visualize parts per million and learn about the evolution of wastewater treatment and its effects on water quality.
Grade Level:
6 -12
PA Standard(s):
4.5.7.C, 4.5.7.D, 4.5.10.D
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Ready to Launch
Students will investigate the uses of simple machines to design a lever that will launch a ping pong ball the farthest distance.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Robot Rumble
Students will design and build armor for their Sphero-powered bot to battle other bots.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.4.7.C
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
*this is a two part activity
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Rock Science
Students will determine if rocks are composed of limestone by the use of chemicals.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.3.5.A1
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Salamander Activity
Students will test water samples to see which are safe for salamanders.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
4.2.K.C, 4.2.3.C
Category:
Watersheds and Wetlands
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Scenes of ALCOSAN
Students will construct different parts of the plant using knowledge of the treatment process at ALCOSAN.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Sculpt & Map a Watershed
Students will construct a model of a watershed and create a contour map that represents the boundaries and flow of drainage to a wastewater treatment plant.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
4.2.7.A
Category:
Watersheds and Wetlands
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Seasons
Students will explore the 4 seasons.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.3.PK.A5, 4.1.PK.E
Category:
Earth and Space Sciences
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Self-Watering Planter
Students will construct a self-watering planter using pop bottles.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Biological Sciences
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Sharpie Science
Students will Experiment with solubility, color mixing, and the movement of molecules by using hydrophobic markers and rubbing alcohol.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Sink or Float*
Students will make predictions about the behavior of objects in water.
Grade Level:
Pre K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.2.3.A1
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
Access to Water, Not recommended for grades 3-5
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Sludge Eating Bugs
Using a microscope and a sample of water from ALCOSAN’s secondary treatment process, students will view and identify microorganisms found in wastewater treatment.
Grade Level:
6 -12
PA Standard(s):
3.1.10.A1, 3.1.12.A2
Category:
Biological Sciences
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Solid, Liquid, and Gas
Students will explore and identify the 3 types of matter.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.2.PK.A3, 3.2.PK.A5
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
Access to Water and Electricity
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Sphero Bolt Bowling
Students will code a Sphero Bolt to knock down pins in a game of bowling.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.4.7.A1 and 3.4.7.A2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Stains, Stains, Go Away
Students will identify variables as they carry out a controlled test to compare the ability to remove a stain.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.2.7.A6
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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STEM Runoff Challenge
Given a set of criteria, students will develop a blue print of green areas to reduce stormwater runoff.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.4.8.B2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Stream Channel Morphology
Students will compare how channel morphology affects the flow of water and transportation of sediment.
Grade Level:
9 - 12
PA Standard(s):
3.3.10.A2
Category:
Earth and Space Sciences
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Sustainable City
Students will identify the importance of being able to meet basic needs in a modern world
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.1PK.A2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Take Flight with Frankie
Students will create a kite using different materials and test ways to make it fly.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Target Twist
Students will write or draw a code to move the sphero
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.4.6.B4, 15.4.8.A
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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The City of Bridges
Students will identify the bridge types that can be seen in Pittsburgh, and design their own bridge using a MakerBot and a 3D CAD Design Tool.
Grade Level:
9 - 12
PA Standard(s):
3.4.10.E7, 3.4.12.C2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
Computer-based activity that requires 60-90 minutes
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The Speedy Architect
Students will use the engineering design process to plan and build a structure that satisfies a set of requirements using limited materials.
Grade Level:
6 -12
PA Standard(s):
3.4.7.C2, 3.4.12.C2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Tower Power
Given a set of limitations, students will construct a tower out of newspaper and calculate quantities and costs of materials.
Grade Level:
6 -12
PA Standard(s):
3.4.8.C2, 3.4.10.C2
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Traffic Light Circuit
Students will create a closed circuit to make a working traffic light out of bulbs and copper tape.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Tunnel Through
Students will create model tunnels through the Earth’s surface while working with constraints.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.3.K.A1 and 3.3.4.A1
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Tunneling Through
Students will create model tunnels through the Earth’s surface, working with constraints and creating 3D printed tools for testing.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
3.3.7.A1
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
*This is a two part lesson
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Urban Watershed
Students will test urban watershed models for stormwater runoff absorbency before and after applying green technology.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
4.2.1.A, 4.2.3.A
Category:
Watersheds and Wetlands
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Volcano Shelter
Students will create a shelter that provides protection for inside an active volcano.
Grade Level:
6 - 8
PA Standard(s):
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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Water Drops
Students will explore the concept of surface tension and analyze data by averaging and comparing figures.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.2.3.A6
Category:
Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
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Water Ways
Students will identify how water is used in a variety of ways and how it is treated by ALCOSAN.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.3.PK.A4, 4.5.PK.D
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Watershed Water Quality
Students will use M & M’s to graph different pollutants in a watershed.
Grade Level:
K - 8
PA Standard(s):
4.5.7.D, 4.5.7.D
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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Weather Survival Challenge*
Students will create structures impervious to flooding and create a shelter in Tinkercad using 3D design
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
3.3.4.A5, 3.4.3.C1
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
*Not recommended for grades k-2 *this is a 2 part lesson
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What a Waste!
Students will identify the five types of waste by coding a robot to sort the items into their correct waste sites.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
4.54.4.D, 15.4.5.A
Category:
Technology and Engineering Education
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What’s for Lunch?
Students will explore how energy moves through a food chain in an interactive game.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
4.1.5.A
Category:
Ecology
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What’s in That Cloud?
Students will identify the steps of a water cycle.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
3.2.PK.A3, 4.3.PK.A
Category:
Hydrology
Access to Water and Electricity
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Whats in Our Water?
Students will identify litter and recyclables through interactive play.
Grade Level:
Pre K
PA Standard(s):
4.5.PK.C, 4.5.PK.D
Category:
Humans and the Environment
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When It Rains, It Drains!
Students will be able to build a watershed model that illustrates the flow of pollutants through a watershed.
Grade Level:
K - 5
PA Standard(s):
4.2.4.A
Category:
Watersheds and Wetlands
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