WELCOME TO 
MARS: A NEW FRONTIER
Project Overview:
This project enhancement is an addition to an existing project developed by the people at theChallenger Learning Center which includes the Christa McAuliffe Center for Education and Teaching Excellence at Framingham State College.
FLOTATION FASCINATION
Project Overview:
Students will investigate the
scientific concept of flotation.
Each team of 2 or 3 students will:
design and construct a boat,
float their boat, and
explain the physics of flotation as it applies to their project. 
Cyber RainforestProject Overview:
Cyber Rainforest is a science-mathematics project which will allow younger elementary grade students to explore tropical rainforests from their school computer lab as well as from other resources. The major objective will be to enhance math and science instruction by using the Internet. In addition, this unit is interdisciplinary; involving reading, language arts, social studies, art, music and technology. Among other activities, children will design an on-line Cyber Rainforest Coloring Book.
For The BirdsOVERVIEW: Students will work cooperatively across grade levels (2-5) to develop an informational booklet about local birds. Students will use the Internet and other research materials to access information about common R.I. birds. They will share this information with younger students who will then write poems about the birds. The information, poems, and an outline drawing will be compiled into a mulit-
page booklet which will be scanned into a project webpage. Through a listserve connection, a call to participate will be sent out to invite other elementary classes to add to the on-line bird booklet.
TIMELY SHADOWSOverview:
Students will measure and compare the lengths of shadows at different
times of the day on three dates over the course of the school year. This
data will be compared with results received by e-mail from students in
other parts of our country and the world. This will be coordinated with
social studies activities that involve locating the participating places
on a world map using latitude and longitude. This project is for grades
3-5.
Beyond KitesOverview: This site is an interactive project on electromagnetic motors is an extenstion of the K.I.T.E.S. Project designed for the 4th grade curriculum in East Providence,RI and the East Bay Educational Collaborative. This on-going project is asking 4th grade classes to build an electromagnetic motor as described in this site. The classes will then experiment with different variables using their constructed motor and submit their results to this site. The results will be tabulated and available for comparison. This project involves using the scientific method of experimentation for "hands on" science.
Work is Simple with Simple MachinesProject Overview: Students participating in this project will investigate simple machines
and their usefulness in everyday life. Elementary teachers will find a comprehensive unit that teaches simple machines with lesson plans and background information. It also includes related internet sites.
C.A.R.E.Project Overview:
Students will be exposed to a variety of lessons and experiences that promote
environmental responsibility.These project outcomes will be directed toward understanding the recycling process, communicating their understanding of recycling to others, and demonstrating an increased respect for our environment.
ALASKAN ANIMALS AND THEIR ADAPTIVE FEATURESProject Overview:
This project centers on Alaskan animals and the ways they have developed to survive in their habitat. Student will comprehend that an animal's size, shape, and coloring helps it survive in its habitat.
Children will construct "blubber mittens" as part of exploration of habitat survival.
Simple Machines are Everywhere!Project Overview:
This project centers on the study of simple machines in the elementary curriculum. There are links to sites for some exciting activities and lesson plans for teachers.
RINET
|RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
|EDUCATION DEPARTMENT-URI
| PROJECT SMART