Lesson Plans
(Updated 6.26.03)
Source: New York Times Learning Network

INTRODUCTION/ROBOTS/INVENTIONS

One Giant Leap: Investigating Significant Scientific Achievements of Twentieth Century
(Grades 6 to 12)
In this lesson, students examine important scientific advancements and discoveries of the twentieth century by working in teams to create chapters for a class book on this topic.
(June 27, 2000)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20000627tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Doing Things the "Wright" Way: Investigating Influential Inventions of the 20th Century
(Grades 6-12)
In this lesson, students investigate 20th century inventions in order to examine how inventions reflect the historical events during which they were developed and improved. Students research what they feel are significant 20th century inventions and create illustrated timelines of the evolution of those inventions.
(March 16, 1999)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
19990316tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Clever Contraptions: Designing and 'Patenting' Original Inventions
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students appraise the qualities of successful inventors and inventions, as well as examine the ways in which the Internet supports inventors, as a springboard for designing and 'patenting' inventions that would be helpful to them in their daily lives.
(September 9, 1999)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
19990909thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Mission Possible: Exploring Plausible Inventions for Make-Believe Movies
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students create blueprints for imaginary inventions based on real-world technological principles. They then write explanations of how their inventions work in the form of movie dialogues.
(September 26, 2002)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20020926thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Technological Twins: Using Technology to Mimic Nature
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students list comparisons between technology and nature. Then they create superheroes with special animal adaptations and describe how ordinary persons might replicate the adaptations with technology. Finally, students attempt to patent their technological inventions used to mimic animal adaptations.
(June 3, 2003)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20030603tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Technically Speaking: Exploring the Progression and Impact of Technological Developments Over Time
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students research how various forms of technology have changed during different time periods and the ways in which technology impacts society. They then propose designs for galleries within a technology museum, expressing what aspects in the history of technology each gallery will highlight and defending their significance.
(February 4, 2003)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20030204tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Popular Mechanics: Exploring the Principle Parts of Robots
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students learn about the five essential parts of every robot and design their own robots to perform everyday tasks.
(January 24, 2002)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20020124thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Historical Presents: Uncovering Time Capsules of the Twentieth Century
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students research events, trends, and phenomena of specific years in the twentieth century, then design “time capsules” to commemorate those years.
(May 19, 2003)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20030519monday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Dream Machines: Learning About the Applications of Robots in Public Works
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students explore the modern applications of robots, and as a class, create a robot that could solve a hypothetical public works problem.
(March 8, 2001)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20010308thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Good Inventions: Exploring Technological Solutions to Global Challenges
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students explore global challenges and technological solutions to them. They then curate a related museum exhibit titled 'Technology Benefiting Humanity.'
(November 8, 2001)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20011108thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

IMAGINING THE FUTURE

Science Fictions: The Media’s Role in Our Perceptions of Scientists
(Grades 6-12)
This lesson encourages students to evaluate the representation of science and scientists in the entertainment industry, particularly in movies and on television. After assessing their own views and those presented in a New York Times article, students work in pairs or small groups to develop and pitch a new television series that presents scientists in a different light from how they are typically represented.
(December 1, 1998)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
19981201tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Digestible Computers: Exploring the Future of Embedded Computing
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students examine the pros and cons of 'embedded computing' in the field of medicine. Students then invent and describe a computer that would be embedded in an individual to improve their education or school and write essays critiquing their inventions.
(Thursday, May 4, 2000)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20000504thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Back to the Future: A Lesson About Science Fiction Visions of the Future
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students will explore the benefits of new technology for the home and its possible drawbacks.
(Friday, May 11, 2001)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20010511friday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Bringing Facts Into Science Fiction: Creating Science Fiction Narratives Based on Current News Themes
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students develop a setting, plot and characters for a science fiction story based on current news themes, and then individually write drafts of the story.
(May 16, 2002)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20020516thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

It’s About Time! Examining the Promise and Problems of an International Internet Time System
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
This lesson allows students to examine the potentials, both positive and negative, of adapting an international 'Internet time' system. Students then create and solve word problems that require them to translate betwee n the current time system and Internet time.
(March 8, 1999)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
19990308monday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

HOMES OF TOMORROW

Appliances with Minds of Their Own: Exploring and Inventing Appliances That Think
(Grades 6 to 12)
In this lesson, students examine how everyday appliances might soon possess the capacity "to think" as a result of recent technological advances. Students then display their knowledge of this new technology by creating a poster design of a "smart" machine.
(April 13, 2000)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20000413thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Home Smart Home: A Lesson About the Benefits and Risks of Home Technology
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students will explore the benefits of new technology for the home and its possible drawbacks.
(April 5, 2001)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20010405thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

TRANSPORTATION OF TOMORROW

Safety First: Exploring Technical Solutions to Perilous Problems
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students explore safety issues and challenges related to various modes of transportation. They then create blueprints for technological methods to make those modes of transportation safer.
(April 11, 2002)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20020411thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Swinging on a Star: Exploring the Issues Related to Interstellar Space Travel
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students will learn about the issues that might arise if humans were to go on an interstellar space mission. They then synthesize their understanding of interstellar travel by writing scenes from a science fiction novel that would depict such a mission.
(March 5, 2002)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20020305tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Stellar Resorts: Exploring the Development of Orbital Vacations
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students explore the future of 'orbital vacations' and create fanciful tours of the Milky Way Galaxy.
(May 18, 2000)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20000518thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

COMMUNITIES OF TOMORROW

Community Building: Examining Suburban Sprawl and Planning Cities in the Social Studies Classroom
(Grades 6 to 12)
In this lesson, students explore the issues of urban and suburban sprawl. Students then work in small groups to create their own planned communities.
(February 14, 2000)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20000214monday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

A Sore Sight for Eyes: Examining Visual Pollution Within Our Communities
(Grades 6 to 12)
In this lesson, students consider "visual blights," including technology-related ones, in their communities. Students will closely examine one "eyesore" and present planning recommendations to a mock local zoning board.
(September 7, 2000)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20000907thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Life on Mars: Science Fact or Science Fiction? Investigating and Evaluating the Possibility of Life on Other Planets
(Grades 6-12)
In this lesson, students investigate the basic requirements needed for human survival and contemplate the possibility of sustaining life on other planets, as is being researched by the recently-launched Mars Polar Lander and the Mars Climate Orbiter. As the main activity, students work in small groups to create a chart and a graph comparing statistics of the nine planets in the solar system and evaluating the elements that prevent life from flourishing on other planets.
(January 5, 1999)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
19990105tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Unplugged: Examining a Human-Energy Alternative to Electricity
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students explore various energy sources, including human energy, and write policy recommendations that will guide future government decision-making.
(August 3, 2000)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20000803thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Space: NASA's Frontier : A Lesson Plan for the Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, or American History Classroom
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
As NASA turns 40, students research the history and accomplishments of the American space program and ponder its role in the future.
(October 13, 1998)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
19981013tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Where Now Man Has Gone Before: Reflecting on Forty Years of Space Exploration: A Science Lesson
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
Students examine the Apollo lunar landings and past theories about the creation and structure of the Earth's Moon as a springboard for investigating missions and milestones in space exploration since the creation of NAS A in 1958.
(July 20, 1999)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
19990720tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Oasis in the Desert: Inventing New Technology to Cope with the Challenges of Desert Living
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
In this lesson, students explore the challenges of building a thriving human civilization in a desert environment. They then design new technologies to assist people living in the desert.
(September 4, 2002)
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20020904wednesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

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