Background
When teaching on an interdisciplinary team, you can easily link science content to math concepts and language arts lessons through data manipulations, supplemental reading passages, and written lab reports. Relating science lessons to social studies content, however, can be more challenging.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult. By creating a cross-curricular lesson based on a Carolina STEM Challenge® kit, you can simplify the planning for your interdisciplinary team.
Carolina STEM Challenge®
Carolina STEM Challenge® kits are student-led inquiry kits that provide STEM instruction for students in grades 6 to 12. The activities are designed for whole-class or small-group use. Independent design projects are applicable not only to science topics, but also to many history, economic, and general social studies concepts.
The kits engage students and get them asking questions. With guidance and prompting, student questions can blend interdisciplinary topics. The engineering problems can be culminating activities where students use principles and concepts from both science and social studies to solve a novel problem.
The background research required and the context of the problem can have a social studies slant while having a STEM focus. This matrix identifies science and social studies topics applicable to Carolina STEM Challenge® kits. The cross-curricular suggestions can help your interdisciplinary team bring real-world design activities to the classroom.
Cross-curricular matrix
Circulatory System
Science Topics
- Body Systems
- Circulatory System
- Homeostasis
- Fluid Dynamics
Social Studies Connection
Healthcare access in developing nations
Classroom Extension
Discuss global healthcare disparities, disease prevention, and vaccine accessibility.
How to Train Your Isopod
Science Topics
- Ecosystems
- Adaptations
- Niches
- Sensation and perception
- Animal behavior
Social Studies Connection
Domestication of animals
Classroom Extension
Discuss the role and process of domestication of animals in society throughout history. Address how the shift from hunting and gathering to farming allowed for settlement.
Hydroponics
Science Topics
- Plant anatomy
- Plant growth
- Photosynthesis
- Agriculture
- Sustainable agriculture
Social Studies Connection
Global population
Classroom Extension
Discuss world population growth and the use of hydroponics to feed a rapidly growing population.
How to Train a Plant
Science Topics
- Plant tropism
- Plant anatomy
- Photosynthesis
- Cell communication
Classroom Extension
Discuss with students how cultivation techniques differ in different parts of the world. Explore how plants such as corn, wheat, and rice became staple diets in many parts of the world.
Make It Bounce
Science Topics
- Solutions
- Polymers
- Intramolecular forces
- Gravitational potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Energy conservation
Social Studies Connection
The role of plastic and polymers in our disposable culture
Classroom Extension
Discuss with students how plastic and other polymers have been used in medical advances and safe food packaging to benefit society. Explore the dilemma of how a community should dispose of these products.
Chemical Reaction Rockets
Science Topics
- Reactions
- Reaction rates
- Kinetics
- Stoichiometry
- Forces
- Newton’s laws of motion
Social Studies Connection
Space race and development of missiles
Classroom Extension
This is a great lead-in to a unit on the space race as well as the development of missiles for warfare.
Separation of a Mixture
Science Topics
- Matter
- Physical properties
- Chemical properties
- Matter classification
Social Studies Connection
Separating mined minerals from their ore
Classroom Extension
Discuss with students the process of extracting the minerals from the ore. Cover the energy requirements for many of these processes, including mining wastes and what happens after a mine is no longer profitable.
Crystal Growing
Science Topics
- Solution
- Solubility
- Concentration
- Solution equilibrium
- Le Châtelier’s principle
- Rocks and minerals
- Mineral formation and deposits
- Mining
Social Studies Connection
Natural resources, mining, and the salt trade
Classroom Extension
Work this activity into a lesson on the importance of a region’s natural resources and how those resources relate to a country’s wealth and stability. Mining, overuse of natural resources, and ownership of natural resources can lead to discussions of governmental systems and economics. Explore the current and historical importance of table salt as a commodity, ancient currency, and early preservative.
Battery Dilemma
Science Topics
- Electrochemistry
- Redox
- Electricity
- Electrical cells
- Power
- Energy
- Renewable energy
Social Studies Connection
History of batteries (Baghdad battery or Parthian battery)
Classroom Extension
Archeologists have discovered items they believe to be batteries that date back over 2000 years. Based on knowledge of the culture of the area and the time period, have students hypothesize potential uses.
Geothermal
Science Topics
- Thermochemistry
- Electricity
- Electrical cells
- Power
- Energy
- Renewable energy
- Plate tectonics
- Plate boundaries
Social Studies Connection
Map study
Classroom Extension
Use the kit in conjunction with a map study. Tie in the locations of naturally occurring thermal vents like hot springs to areas where people gather for healing, general health benefits, and tourism. Iceland is a case study for the use of geothermal power and tourism.
Passive Solar Design
Science Topics
- Kinetics
- Thermodynamics
- Energy
- Renewable energy
Social Studies Connection
Ancient passive solar designs
Classroom Extension
Socrates said that a south-facing portico is warmed by the sun in the winter but shaded in the summer. The classical Roman atrium and heated bathhouses are based on passive solar design. The homes of Anasazi Native Americans were built into the sides of cliffs to be shaded in the summer and warmed by the sun in the winter.
Biofuels
Science Topics
- Reactions
- Reaction rate
- Kinetics
- Energy
- Renewable energy
- Agriculture
- Biochemistry
- Sustainability
Social Studies Connection
Local food economy impact when more land is used to support biofuel production
Classroom Extension
The use of crops for fuel can have an impact on the price of those crops. Incorporate this activity into a discussion of supply and demand and how that impacts prices.
Hydroelectric Power
Science Topics
- Fluid dynamics
- Energy
- Power
- Gravitational potential energy
- Ecosystems
- Species diversity
- Sustainable energy
- Land use
- Hydrology
- River systems
- Water sheds
Social Studies Connection
Dam use throughout history
Classroom Extension
Use this kit during a unit on dam building. The Hoover Dam in the Unites States, the Aswan High Dam in Egypt, and the Three Gorges Dam in China are well- documented examples in different regions of the world. Egyptians built the first dams around 2800 BC. Water use and control (water rights) is a topic for both science and politics.
Solar Car Design
Science Topics
- Energy
- Energy conversion
- Sustainability
- Renewable energy
- Electricity
- Power
- Electromagnetic radation
- Motion
- Newton’s laws of motion
Social Studies Connection
Photovoltaic cells use to bring electric power to remote areas
Classroom Extension
Over a billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia do not have access to electricity. Extending the grid to these remote regions is impractical. Discuss with students how solar or wind energy could provide access to electricity in these remote areas.
Solar Water Distillation
Science Topics
- Matter
- Properties of matter
- Mixture separation
- Solutions
- Phase changes
- Thermodynamics
- Human health
- Renewable resources
- Resource conservation
Social Studies Connection
Water resources and infrastructure
Classroom Extension
Tie this activity into a lesson on the importance of a region’s water resources (amount of water available and cleanliness of water) and how those resources relate to a country’s wealth and stability and the health of its populations. Discuss available technologies related to infrastructure availability could point out the benefits of solar distillation.
Wind Farm
Science Topics
- Energy
- Energy conversion
- Meteorology
- Pressure systems
- Sustainability
- Renewable energy
- Electricity
- Power
- Land use
- Species diversity
Social Studies Connection
Windmills
Classroom Extension
Windmills have been used for centuries in many parts of the world for many reasons. Let students research the technology and provide a timeline with location, use, and design of windmills.
Balloon Race Cars
Science Topics
- Forces
- Newton’s laws
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Linear motion
Social Studies Connection
Industrial revolution and mass production
Classroom Extension
After the challenge is complete, demonstrate Henry Ford’s idea of mass production. Time single students making a car from raw materials and compare that to assembly line construction.
Egg Drop
Science Topics
- Forces
- Gravitational energy
- Potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Energy conservation
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Vector analysis
Social Studies Connection
The socioeconomics of safety
Classroom Extension
Try the baby egg exercise. Place students in different socioeconomic groups, distribute different amounts of “money” to each group, and require that students buy supplies to protect their eggs. Full instructions can be found online.
Mousetrap Cars
Science Topics
- Forces
- Gravitational energy
- Potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Energy conservation
- Energy transfer
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Vector analysis
- Linear motion
- Newton’s laws of motion
- Momentum
Social Studies Connection
Industrial revolution and mass production
Classroom Extension
After the challenge is complete, demonstrate Henry Ford’s idea of mass production. Time single students making a car from raw materials and compare that to assembly line construction.
Projectile Launcher
Science Topics
- Forces
- Gravitational energy
- Potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Energy conversion
- Energy transfer
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Vector analysis
- Motion in 2 dimensions
- Newton’s laws of motion
- Machines
- Projectile motion
Social Studies Connection
History and development of tools across cultures
Classroom Extension
Use the projectile launcher to spur a discussion of the transition of humans to hunters (throwing a spear, the invention of the bow and arrow, and the impact of those tools on human development).
Sound Off
Science Topics
- Energy
- Waves
- Wave amplification
- Wave interactions
Social Studies Connection
Information transfer through history | Theater and stadium architecture
Classroom Extension
Discuss the inventions of the gramophone, phonograph, radio, and phone. Students can trace the development of communication science from posting in the middle ages to digital communication today.
This STEM challenge can also be used in a discussion of the sporting complexes built by the Mayans and Romans. From the right location, a whisper could be heard throughout those theaters.
Structures
Science Topics
- Forces
- Vector analysis
- Geohazards
- Matter composition and structure
Social Studies Connection
Structures and dwellings of ancient cultures
Classroom Extension
Many cultures can be identified by the structures they have built. Use this kit as a segue to investigate the importance of architecture to cultural development.
Bubbles
Science Topics
- Forces
- Intermolecular forces
- Matter
- Matter properties
- Solutions
- Concentration
Social Studies Connection
Laundry methods throughout history
Classroom Extension
What did people do before the invention of detergents for cleaning their clothes? Have a discussion of laundry methods throughout history.
Boats and Buoyancy
Science Topics
- Forces
- Density
- Fluid dynamics
- Buoyancy
Social Studies Connection
Historical trade routes and migration
Classroom Extension
Use this kit during a unit on trade routes (ancient and modern). Pennies added to the boat emphasize the strategic need for deep water ports, which can inform a geography lesson on ancient and modern port locations and human population distribution.
Cartesian Divers
Science Topics
- Forces
- Density
- Fluid dynamics
- Buoyancy
- Gas laws
- Boyle’s law
Social Studies Connection
Military use of submarines
Classroom Extension
This kit can be used as a hook when learning about the Civil War, the World Wars, and submarine warfare. As the ballast is added and removed, the diver rises and falls (just like a submarine).
Motors
Science Topics
- Forces
- Energy
- Energy transfer
- Motion
- Compound machines
Social Studies Connection
Industrial revolution
Classroom Extension
Use the results of the motors challenge to introduce mechanization in transportation and manufacturing. Students should recognize that hp means horsepower. Motors had to perform better than draught horses.
Keep It Hot
Science Topics
- Energy
- Energy transfer
- Thermodynamics
Social Studies Connection
Food and food distribution
Classroom Extension
Students can design the best way to keep food hot for the longest period of time. This kit could also be used as a manufacturing/marketing example for an economics unit.
Roller Coasters
Science Topics
- Forces
- Gravitational potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Energy conversion
- Energy transfer
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Vector analysis
- Motion in 2 dimensions
- Friction
- Newton’s laws of motion
Social Studies Connection
Mining cars and mountain railways
Classroom Extension
Funicular railways have been in use since as early as 1515 to transport loads over steep grades. Have students investigate some of these early uses of steep railways for transporting goods along steep grades.
Balloon Rockets
Science Topics
- Forces
- Gravitational potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Energy conversion
- Energy transfer
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Vector analysis
- Linear motion
- Newton’s laws of motion
Social Studies Connection
Rockets to assemble, staff, and maintain the International Space Station
Classroom Extension
The International Space Station is a joint venture between NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (European Union), and CSA (Canada). Have students discuss the collaboration between these countries to build and maintain the station. The discussion should cover the importance of international treaties and agreements such as those that made the International Space Station a possibility.
Trebuchets
Science Topics
- Forces
- Gravitational potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Energy conversion
- Energy transfer
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Vector analysis
- Motion in 2 dimensions
- Projectile motion
- Machines
Social Studies Connection
Ancient warfare
Classroom Extension
Include the trebuchet activity results in a discussion of ancient warfare technology, reminding students that territorial conquest impacts people their culture, and natural resources.
Take Flight
Science Topics
- Forces
- Density
- Fluid dynamics
- Buoyancy
- Gas laws
- Flight
- Bernoulli’s principle
- Vector analysis
- Aerodynamics
Social Studies Connection
History of transportation and aviation
Classroom Extension
Include this kit in a transportation unit or as a supplemental activity to introduce the history of aviation in the United States.
Paint Stirrer Catapult
Science Topics
- Forces
- Gravitational potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Energy conversion
- Energy transfer
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Vector analysis
- Motion in 2 dimensions
- Newton’s laws of motion
- Machines
Social Studies Connection
Medieval warfare
Classroom Extension
Include the catapult activity results in a discussion of ancient warfare technology and the importance of simple machines to changing the course of history.
