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Joe's Tiny New York
Joe's Tiny New York

Joe Macken is a truck driver from upstate New York. Back in 2004, when he was 41, he went into his basement with some balsa wood and started...

Number Sense Math and Art Grades 3–5
Cost of light bulbs (Updated)
Cost of light bulbs (Updated)

With incandescent and halogen bulbs banned since 2023, students compare CFL, LED, and Smart LED bulbs, calculate energy use in kilowatt-hours, and determine which bulb is the better...

Math and Social Studies Ratio and Proportion Grades 5–7
The Game of GO
The Game of GO

In March 2016, Lee Se-dol, one of the world's best Go players, and Google's artificial intelligence program "AlphaGo" had their first match. (Watch the incredible Documentary ) Exactly...

Number Sense Math and Social Studies Grade 7
The huge costs behind the Olympics
The huge costs behind the Olympics

Hosting the Olympic Games is extremely expensive. In this updated activity, students explore the cost of hosting the Olympics, what a cost overrun (percentage increase) means, and how...

Algebra Math and Social Studies Grades 5–7
Labor Day 2025
Labor Day 2025

In our usual Labor Day activity (updated for 2025), students will learn about the intended meaning of Labor Day and explore the patterns behind its historical dates. They...

Math and Social Studies Holidays and Annual Events Grades 5–7
A lot of Cars
A lot of Cars

🚙 In this updated activity , students will explore the environmental impact of transportation choices. They will use division to calculate how different transportation choices reduce the number...

Number Sense Math and Social Studies Grade 2
A Parametric Heart
A Parametric Heart

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ In this updated activity, students will explore parametric equations to graph a heart shape using sine and cosine functions. Begin...

Geometry Holidays and Annual Events High School
Downside Up
Downside Up

🔍 In this updated activity, students will explore patterns and formulate mathematical relationships through the Canstruction exhibit ‘Downside Up.’ Begin with the starter slides for initial estimation attempts...

Algebra Number Sense Grades 6–HS
Ulmer Nest
Ulmer Nest

🏠In this activity, students will dive into estimation and critical thinking as they explore ‘Ulmer Nest’. It’s essential to start with the starter slides, where students will examine...

Number Sense Geometry Grades 3–6
A Glass of Sweat
A Glass of Sweat

What is this machine for? Begin with the starter presentation slides to spark students' curiosity about the purpose of the machine. Then, engage them in the main activity...

Algebra Number Sense Grades 4–6
How much does America spend for Mother’s Day?
How much does America spend for Mother’s Day?

Updated in April 2026 with new data; see the answer key. How much do we spend on Mother's Day? Use the Mother's Day event to engage your students...

Number Sense Math and Social Studies Grades 3–6
A geodesic icosahedron, the Times Square New Year's eve ball
A geodesic icosahedron, the Times Square New Year's eve ball

Image by kjpargeter on Freepik It's a gorgeous ball, covered with Waterford Crystal triangles, shaped as a geodesic icosahedron. Every New Year's Eve it descends in Times Square...

Geometry Math and Science