EINSTEIN PROJECT CURRICULUM OPTIONS
Second Grade
helping seeds travel
life sciences
Design Challenge
How can we make a model that mimics the function of an animal in seed dispersal or pollination of plants?
Anchoring Phenomenon
A flower turns into a strawberry fruit.
UNIT DESCRIPTION
8 Lessons | 20 Days of Instruction
In this unit, students will investigate many aspects of plants and their environments. Student investigations begin with the needs of plants as well as plant parts and their functions. Students will then learn about biodiversity and the ways in which plants adapt to survive in their habitat.
Learn more in the Unit Overview.
MATERIALS FOR 1 CLASS | $250
SAVING THE SAND DUNES
earth and space systems
Anchoring Phenomenon
The Sleeping Bear Dunes are changing
Driving Question
Why are the changing dunes a problem? How can we protect the Sleeping Bear Dunes from changing?
UNIT DESCRIPTION
6 Lessons | 28 Days of Instruction
In this unit, students view photographs and maps of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. They read an article about how the dunes are getting smaller, and how this affects animals and people in the area. Throughout the unit students will investigate the problem to gather information about how wind and water change the earth over time. They will use their learning to design solutions that protect the dunes from changing.
Learn more in the Unit Overview.
MATERIALS FOR 1 CLASS | $250
a home for a penguin
physical science
Design Challenge
How can we design, test and improve our prototype of a penguin habitat?
Anchoring Phenomenon
A penguin can live in the St. Louis Zoo, which can be very hot in the summer.
UNIT DESCRIPTION
8 Lessons | 25 Days of Instruction
In this unit, students will explore the scientific method and the engineering design cycle to create a prototype zoo habitat for penguins. In order to design a habitat that meets the needs of both penguins and humans, students will learn about the states of matter, changes of matter, heat transfer, and insulation.
Learn more in the Unit Overview.
MATERIALS FOR 1 CLASS | $250
Exploring earth
physical science
Anchoring Phenomenon
Early explorers traveled the world without modern maps.
Driving Questions
Who were early explorers? How did they explore the world? How can we be explorers?
UNIT DESCRIPTION
6 Lessons | 23-27 Days of Instruction
Students investigate the history and discoveries of early Inuit, Polynesian, and Nordic explorers. They use globes and maps to track their expeditions, create salt dough landform maps of their areas, and use tiles to model the different vessels they used to explore. Students connect each piece of their adventures to create a full picture of their early expeditions and use strategies from early explorers to create a map of their own school or playground.
Learn more in the Unit Overview.