This paper provides education-based researchers and practitioners with the preferred research and design methods used by Higher Education Institute (HEI) students and Key Stage 3 (KS3) pupils applied within a participatory approach to a design activity. The outcomes were that both pupils and students found informal (unstructured) interview to be…

In the twenty-first century, learning and the definition of education is changing. New digital, online, and social tools have the ability to transform the classroom and engage learners like never before. In the midst of this technological revolution, it is crucial for educators and administrators to be able to gauge the impact of digital tools on…

Design is not getting the attention it deserves in industrial arts, at a time when designed products are everywhere. Design is creative problem-solving to meet a specific need. Integrating design concepts into the industrial arts curriculum is not difficult; the author explains how to do it. (AJ)

Rube Goldberg is famous for his very complex machines that accomplish everyday tasks. In this activity, students design and build a Rube Goldberg machine that will accomplish a simple task in no less than 10 steps. This activity requires a 120-360 minute time period for completion. (Author/SOE)

In this activity, students build a city out of sugar cubes, bouillon cubes, and gelatin cubes. The city is then put through simulated earthquakes to see which cube structures withstand the shaking the best. This activity requires a 50-minute time period for completion. (Author/SOE)

In this activity, students work with specified materials to create aqueduct components to transport two liters of water across a short distance in the classroom. The goal is to build an aqueduct that will supply Aqueductis, a Roman city, with clean water for private homes, public baths, and glorious fountains. By introducing various ideas and…

Earth is running out of space in landfills and non-renewable resources are being depleted. In this activity, students address the question, "How can we reuse some of our garbage so that we begin to throw away less?" Students brainstorm ideas for an effective board game format and design a game in which players try to come up with alternative uses…

Designed as a guide to planning art lessons, the booklet offers over 40 suggestions and sample lesson plans for students in grades K-6. Although most of the lessons could be taught at any time of year, they are arranged month-by-month for convenience. Included in each monthly program are lesson plans for both intermediate and primary students,…

Focusing on the creative process, this guide enables teachers to encourage elementary students to learn more about art through active participation. A series of activities for kindergarten to sixth grade emphasize art ideas and concepts that are important in an artist's work. Each activity includes concepts, objectives, elements of art, principles…

This handbook gives guidelines for setting up an elementary level art appreciation program. The program encourages involvement by staff and parent volunteers, resource persons and presenters and utilizes commercially produced art reproductions. Sample art reproduction selections and schedules are given. An art vocabulary and a time line of world…