Physical Sciences

Grade

K

NGSS

K-PS2-1, K-PS2-2

Topic

Forces, Machines, & Engineering

Focus

Pushes & Pulls

Activity Overview

In this Mystery, students discover that there are pushes and pulls involved in any kind of work, including the work done by machines. In the activity, Be a Digging Machine, students pretend to use shovels and excavators to dig a hole for a swimming pool.

Grade

1st

NGSS

1-PS4-4

Topic

Properties Of Light & Sound

Focus

Light, Communication, & Engineering

Activity Overview

In this Mystery, students practice using light to communicate information. In the activity, Secret Signals, students work in pairs to build a device that solves the problem of communicating over a distance. They send secret messages to one another using light and colored markers.

Grade

2nd

NGSS

2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-2, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3

Topic

Properties & Phases Of Matter

Focus

Materials, Properties, & Engineering

Activity Overview

In this Mystery, students explore the different properties of materials used for clothing, such as texture, flexibility, and absorbency. In the activity, Mad Hatter, students use this information to design and build a hat that protects them from the sun.

Grade

3rd

NGSS

3-PS2-1

Topic

Forces, Motion, & Magnets

Focus

Balanced & Unbalanced Forces

Activity Overview

In this Mystery, students will see that by learning to think about pushes and pulls — forces — they can accomplish extraordinary things! In the activity, Hopper Popper, students make a folded piece of cardboard jump high in the air, propelled by the pulling force of a rubber band. They discuss the forces involved in making this “Hopper Popper” jump.

Grade

4th

NGSS

4-PS4-1, 4-PS4-3

Topic

Sound, Waves, & Communication

Focus

Sound, Vibration, & Engineering

Activity Overview

In this Mystery, students learn about the connection between sounds and vibration. In the activity, Paper Cup Telephone, students make telephones using cups and string. Students then modify the design of their telephones using different types of supplies to see if they can improve the sound quality.

Grade

5th

NGSS

5-PS1-1, 5-PS1-2

Topic

Chemical Reactions & Properties Of Matter

Focus

Chemistry & Conservation of Matter

Activity Overview

In this Mystery, students meet the alchemists, a historic group that used “potions” to try to transform materials. In the activity, Test Like An Alchemist, students test liquids to see which ones will clean the tarnish off a penny. Then, when one penny changes from dark and dirty to bright and shiny, they’ll have a chance to think about where the tarnish went.