What's Happening in Third Grade

Magnetic STEM Challenge

To conclude their study of forces and interactions, the third-grade students participated in a STEM challenge to design and build a self-latching container. The girls began by defining a simple design problem, considering specific criteria for success and the constraints related to materials and time. They generated and compared multiple possible solutions to determine how well each one met the established criteria and constraints.

They also focused on a design problem that applied scientific principles associated with magnets. Throughout this challenge, the girls engaged in critical inquiry by asking questions, defining problems, and developing and using models. They also applied mathematics and computational thinking, constructed explanations, designed solutions, and gathered, evaluated, and communicated information.

Forces and Interactions

This month, the third-grade girls focused on motion and stability, specifically investigating forces and interactions. They started their research by testing various materials to determine which items are attracted to a magnet. The scientists were surprised to discover that not all metals are magnetic! Next, the students demonstrated that magnetism is a non-contact force. In their second investigation, they explored the effects of magnetic fields. They independently conducted an experiment to measure the distance at which two magnets begin to attract. Well done, scientists! Well done, scientists!

Force and Motion Stations and a Magnet Challenge

The third-grade girls worked in teams to review their knowledge of force and motion. The stations included reading a science article, reviewing vocabulary from the unit, and organizing examples of force into categories: those that cause motion and those that slow or stop motion. At the final station, the girls created a winter scene along with a snowman, which stood upright with the help of a binder clip. Using a magnet placed under the plate, the girls then navigated their snowmen through the winter scene!

Investigation Design

This month, the third-grade scientists applied their knowledge of forces and the patterns of how they interact. They planned and conducted descriptive investigations to explore the role of friction when objects come into contact with each other. The students created a testable question to compare how far a toy car would travel on three different surfaces. They outlined their procedures, listed the materials needed, and conducted their investigation, collecting and comparing the data they gathered. After reviewing their findings, the students wrote and presented their conclusions to the group.

Position and Motion

This month, the third-grade scientists studied how forces affect an object's position on the playground. The students observed various equipment, including the slide, climbing wall, monkey bars, and a kickball. Their task was to determine whether pushes or pulls changed each object's position, and then draw and describe how the position changed.

The students also explored how the position and motion of a balloon rocket change when the air inside it is released. They worked together to set up and launch their balloon rockets. Through this activity, the third graders discovered that the balloon rocket moved and changed position due to thrust, which is a pushing force.  

Gravity

In September, the third-grade scientists explored the force of gravity. They started by asking, "How are a ball and a feather affected by gravity?" The students worked in groups, dropping both objects at the same time and then repeating the experiment after placing them in plastic bottles. Without the bottles, the objects hit the ground at different speeds. However, when dropped in the bottles, they landed simultaneously. Through this experiment, the students found out that air resistance causes the feather to fall more slowly.

Next, the students compared how gravity affects different objects. They carefully hung five different items using rubber bands and paperclips. They concluded that weight is the force of gravity acting on an object's mass.

Finally, the scientists tested the claim that a toy car will travel farther when released from a higher ramp compared to a lower one. The groups collaborated to formulate their hypotheses, design their ramps, and collect data to test their theories. Great job, scientists!

Science Scavenger Hunt

The third-grade students began their year with an outdoor scavenger hunt designed to review the science concepts they had previously learned. Before going outside, the students discussed topics such as magnetism, buoyancy, natural resources, and the states and properties of matter. During the hunt, they identified objects in motion, measured shadows, and observed the clouds, among other things. The third-grade scientists worked diligently and are now prepared to expand their scientific knowledge this year!