We put these lessons together in April 2020. Yep, when we were in lockdown. Everyone was stuck at home and needed something for their nerds to work on independently, with supplies found around the house. This was the best way we could support our nerdy families during the pandemic.
Available to use anytime for free!
These lessons are designed for grades K-6th. The little ones will need help navigating the page and watching the videos. Also there will be some reading involved.
Most should take about 1hr or so for your kiddos to complete. They should be able to work independently on these lessons.
All the lessons were designed to be completed at home with supplies you will find around your house. Gather some recyclables, boxes, paper, pens, tape, string, etc.
We’d love to see a picture of your build so we can send your nerd some encouragement! Let us know if we can add it to our lesson examples! Email: [email protected]
Be safe. Don’t glue your fingers together!
For Grades: K-6 Step 1 – Introduction 6 min Lesson Overview I love paper airplanes! Do you?! In today’s lesson, we will fold and adjust planes to try and make them fly as far as possible. Watch the videos to become an expert plane folder and learn about the forces
For Grades: K-6 Step 1 – Introduction 6min Lesson Overview Learn about orangutans and a special school in Borneo that teaches orphaned orangutan babies what they need to survive! When you’re done, your project is to build a model of the Jungle School using recycled materials and natural items from
For Grades: K-6 Step 1 – Introduction 5min Lesson Overview Can you build a shoe from junkmail?! This engineering design challenge will take creativity and sole! (That’s a shoe pun. Get it? Like soul, but sole.) You’ll use the Engineering Design Process to Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve, and Share
For Grades: K – 6+ Step 1 – Introduction 5min Lesson Overview What is a robot? Technically, a robot is any machine that can do work. More specifically, it is a machine that can think, sense, and act. Robots are often designed to do specific tasks that are dangerous for
For Grades: K – 6+ Step 1 – Introduction 5min Lesson Overview Robots have many jobs in our world. They not only help humans, but animals, too! They can be used to monitor ocean pollution and observe animal behavior that we have never before seen. In today’s lesson, we will
For Grades: K-6 and up Step 1 – Introduction 10min Lesson Overview Can you create a landing module that will protect your Mars rover (egg) from a fall? Mars is an amazing planet and learning about it helps us to understand what the earth may have been like millions of
For Grades: K-6 Step 1 – Introduction 10min Lesson Overview Code is EVERYWHERE! It’s a way to communicate with a computer and give it instructions. There are many coding languages, just like there are many languages that people speak throughout the world. A computer programmer uses a coding language to
For Grades: K – 6 & up Step 1 – Introduction 10min Lesson Overview Astronauts live and work on the International Space Station (ISS). Use the resources below to learn what it’s like to live there and check out the ISS when it’s visible over your city! In this lesson,
For Grades: K – 6 Step 1 – Introduction 5min Lesson Overview Learn about types of bridges and build your own! Can you build a bridge that can support a heavy book? Step 2 – Learn More 10min Beam A beam bridge is a simple bridge made of a sturdy
For Grades: K – 6 Step 1 – Introduction 5min Lesson Overview Build your own straw rockets! *Don’t poke your eye out.* Step 2 – Learn More 10min For Grades K-6 How Does a Rocket Fly This cartoon video is geared toward younger kids, but the info is great for
For Grades: K – 6 Step 1 – Introduction 5min Lesson Overview Build a drop copter and try to get the slowest drop! We included 2 different styles for you to try, but you can try your own designs, too! Try different sizes, types of paper, trim or reshape the
For Grades: K – 6 Step 1 – Introduction 5min Lesson Overview Build a model finger or whole hand using cardboard, straws, and string! Step 2 – Learn More 10min 3D Printed Hand for Max PBS Design Squad (4min) This is a sweet video! Little Max gets a 3D printed