Science Activities for 5-8
Links for Further Exploration
- Ancient Egypt Lesson Plans for Teachers
Created by teachers, these lesson ideas offer a range of topical connections to Ancient Egyptian themes. Be sure to note the Weather and Mummy activities.
- Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics
Visit this site for more information about hieroglyphics and, especially, links to more information about hieroglyphic mathematics.
- Building the Pyramids: No Light Task
Developed by a teacher, this activity vividly demonstrates the task involved in constructing the pyramids. It's a good extension activity for learning about simple machines.
- Chicken Mummies
Listed as a social studies lesson plan, this guide to creating chicken mummies in your classroom is an excellent, vivid demonstration of the mummification process. It's an easy, dramatic way to engage your students (at any grade level) in the real preservation process. Note that there are advertising links to commercial sites, but they are easily ignored. Simply scroll down to access the excellent content below.
- Ancient Egypt Farming
This site offers a wonderful presentation of the agricultural science understood by Ancient Egyptians. It's intended for an adult audience, although some parts may be appropriate for direct student use. There are some advertising links for comercial purposes, but they are unobtrusive and easily ignored.
- Ancient Egypt
From the British Museum, this site uses the Museum's collections to engage students in an exploration of mummification, hieroglyphics, pyramid construction, and other topics.
- Mysteries of the Nile
Originally intended as a companion to an on-air program, this site from PBS offers a range of resources and lesson plans that are appropriate for classroom investigation.
- Scale Model of the Great Pyramid
This activity, found within the larger PBS presentation, supports learning about the science and geometry of the pyramids.
- Ancient Egypt Science & Technology
From the Museum of Science, Boston, this site offers online activities for students to extend their investigation of Ancient Egyptian science.
- Amarna - Ancient Egypt's Place in the Sun
This exhibit contextualizes King Tut's life and complicated place in history. This site is not science-related, but tells the story of where Tut's reign intersects with the larger history of Ancient Egypt.
- Theban Mapping Project
This site, winner of numerous awards, houses the world's most comprehensive database of information related to Thebes—particularly the Valley of the Kings. This is not a science-related site, but it's an important, extraordinary site for enriching understanding of Ancient Egyptian civilization and custom.
