Indian River uses Mystery Science. These topics are aligned to our Next Generation Science Standards.
Animal Traits & Survival: In this unit, students explore the traits of adult and baby animals! Students make observations of parent animals and their offspring, determining how they are similar and different. They explore behaviors that help offspring survive. Students also investigate how the traits of animals are essential for their growth and survival.
Plant Traits & Survival: In this unit, students explore the different parts of plants, like roots, stems, branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits. They observe similarities and differences between parent plants and their offspring. Students also investigate how plant traits help those plants survive.
Day Patterns: In this unit, students make observations of the Sun and shadows throughout the day and across the seasons. They use their observations to understand patterns that occur throughout the day.
Night Patterns: In this unit, students explore the Moon and stars. They observe and record the appearance of the Moon to determine its cyclical pattern. They also determine why stars are only visible at night.
Light, Sound, Communication: In this unit, students investigate light and sound! They explore how materials vibrate and how vibrating materials can make sounds. They also investigate light and illumination and use those investigations to create simple devices that allow them to communicate across a distance.