Riddle's Launch Pad

Navigating the Student Center

Below are the four major topics we cover in science this year.

Click on the orange title to open the drop down. Within the drop down, you will find a brief description of each topic and a list of any labs or projects we complete in that unit.

Click the image to the left of the text to go to that page to find additional resources, including links to articles, websites, YouTube videos and playlists, and the Google Slide note presentation.

Enrichment activities may also be linked; complete these if you finish early or find a topic that you want to learn more about.

Topics Covered This Year

Nature of Science

Nature of Science: You will learn the four branches of Earth and Space Science, the basic tools used to make scientific measurements, the difference between a scientific law and a theory, and the steps of the scientific method and proper experimental design. 🔭

Geology

Chemistry: You will learn basic chemistry (atomic structure, density, etc.) in order to understand the concepts taught in Earth and Space Science. ⚗️

Density Column Lab

Minerals: You will learn what a mineral is, how scientists identify minerals and the sources and uses of common minerals.

Mineral Identification Project
Cookie Mining
Grow Crystals
How Can You Tell Crystals Apart MiniLab

Rocks: You will learn the three types of rocks and how rocks transform within the rock cycle.

Edible Sedimentary Rock Food Lab
Rock Observation
Model the Rock Cycle

Earth's Interior: You will learn why Earth and other planets are a sphere, the layers of Earth and how they formed, and landforms found on Earth's surface. 🌎

Model Earth's Layers Lab

Plate Tectonics: You will learn about the Theory of Continental Drift which was discovered by Alfred Wegener, the forces behind plate movement, and landforms formed at plate boundaries.

Model Seafloor Spreading
Plate Boundaries Jigsaw Food Lab

Volcanoes and Earthquakes: You will learn why and where volcanoes and earthquakes form, learn to locate an epicenter, and how scientists measure both natural phenomena.

Earthquake Safety Project
Model Faults
Model Seismic Waves

Weathering and Soil: You will learn the forces in nature that cause weathering and erosion, deposition, and how that forms rocks and other landforms, and the formation of soil. 🌱

Soil Horizon Food Lab
How Fast Can A Rock Weather Lab
Mechanical and Chemical Weathering Lab

Earth's History / Geologic Time: You will learn how fossils help scientists understand Earth's history, the difference between relative and absolute dating and how each is used, and the evolution of life on Earth. 🦖⏰

Half Life of M&Mium Food Lab
Half Life of a Twizzler Food Lab
Geologic Time Project

Pennsylvania's Topography: You will learn about the five topographical regions found in Pennsylvania. 🌄

Pennsylvania PopTart Food Lab

Meteorology

Water / Watersheds: You will learn the properties of water, how water is distributed between fresh and saltwater, the importance of the quality of water, and the watersheds in Pennsylvania. 💧

Crumpled Paper Watershed
Journey of a Water Drop

Atmosphere: You will learn the layers of the atmosphere, how energy is transferred, prominent air currents, and the importance of air quality. 💨

Storms: You will learn about Earth's climate, cycles that impact Earth, how climate change is affecting Earth, and how severe storms form. ⛈️🌪️

Weather Factors: You will learn basic weather patterns and how meteorologists create weather forecasts and use symbols to represent their predictions. ☀️⛅🌨️

Astronomy

Earth, Sun, and Moon: You will learn how these three celestial bodies interaction, the Earth and Moon's orbit, and how that causes eclipses and tides on Earth. 🌎☀️🌘

Exploration: You will learn how scientists observe the universe, a brief history of space exploration, and recent and future space missions. 🚀🛰️

Solar System: You will learn the structure of our solar system, the difference between the inner and outer planet, and what other objects exist in space (including dwarf planets).

Stars and the Universe: You will learn about our Star, the Sun, how stars form and evolve over time, and about nearby galaxies. ⭐

Quick Links

Click on the orange buttons to quickly access frequently used sites.

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