LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Science — Grade 6

Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.

Objective 2.01. Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.

  • Artifact or hardware.
  • Methodology or technique.
  • System of production.
  • Social-technical system.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Ice cream containers
In Design technology: Children's engineering, page 2.6
Students will use their knowledge to design and build melt-proof containers for ice cream. They will track the temperature changes in the container over a four-hour period to simulate the ice cream in transit from manufacturer to store. Students will draw a diagram that shows how and why the container works.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)
By Erin Denniston.

Resources on the web

Wheelchairs
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about an organization that counts on some of the world's poorest countries to develop some of the most innovative new ideas in wheelchair design and manufacturing. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Thought-controlled robotics
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about research into the development of robotic limbs that can be controlled by thought alone. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Technology: Past, present, and future
In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students examine a number of technological innovations that have occurred since the beginning of humanity. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Talking lights
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about ideas to use the imperceptible flickering of fluorescent lights to transmit coded information. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Snow goggles
The aim of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to illustrate how the scientific method can be used to solve different kinds of problems. As part of this lesson, students build snow goggles similar to those used by the Inuit peoples. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Smelling diseases
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about how doctors are developing a kind of sniff test to screen for diseases. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Robotic arm
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a real-life robotic arm that may help stroke victims regain control of their movement. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–7 and 9–12 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Robot farmers
In this Science Update from Science NetLinks, students hear about how cheap robots may revolutionize farming. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Pottery quest
In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a two-part series on pottery making, students learn that the production of ceramic pottery requires detailed knowledge of the physical properties of different clays and tempering materials, as well as knowledge... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Phone fibbing
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study that shows that people's likelihood of lying depends on the communication technology they're using. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Modern technology and farming
This lesson from Science NetLinks is an open-ended lesson about agriculture and farming technology. Students have an opportunity to explore five different kinds of farms on a website with interesting visual and audio enhancements. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Horse bones
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear how studying horses may help engineers improve human flight in air and space. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Extending human ability through technology
The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to explore how technology has been used to enhance human abilities. Students also learn something about human capabilities and limitations. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Cell phone traffic
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a new use for cell phone signals. Many people stuck in traffic pass the time or take care of business by making calls on their cell phone. (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science