3rd Grade Virtual Lessons with
Educational Programs Staff
Our educational programs staff are former teachers that have designed virtual lesson plans for your classroom.
To schedule a virtual lesson with our educational program staff for your class or grade level, click here.
Simple Science Experiments with Materials You Have at Home
Lava Lamps
Description: Our educational program staff will lead your class through an experiment with a lava lamp. Each student will make a lava lamp with the materials they have at home. After making the lava lamp, the staff will take the students through an experiment with the lava lamp that aligns with your grade level standards.
Duration: 20-45 minutes depending on the grade level and depth
Materials needed:
Vegetable Oil (or other oil)
Water
Food Coloring
Original Alka Seltzer Tablets (or vinegar and baking soda)
A clear container with a lid (like a water bottle)
SC Education Standard:
3rd Grade:
3.S.1A. The practices of science and engineering support the development of science concepts, develop the habits of mind that are necessary for scientific thinking, and allow students to engage in science in ways that are similar to those used by scientists and engineers.
Moon Sand
Description: Our educational program staff will lead your class through an experiment with moon sand. Each student will make moon sand with the materials they have at home. After making moon sand, the staff will take the students through an experiment with the moon sand that aligns with your grade level standards.
Duration: 20-45 minutes depending on the grade level and depth
Materials needed:
1 cups all-purpose flour (not gluten free)
1/8 cup baby oil or another oil that you'd prefer
A Ziploc gallon bag
SC Education Standard:
3rd Grade:
3.S.1A. The practices of science and engineering support the development of science concepts, develop the habits of mind that are necessary for scientific thinking, and allow students to engage in science in ways that are similar to those used by scientists and engineers.
Static Electricity Balloons
Description: Our educational program staff will lead your class through a grade level appropriate discussion on electricity and being safe around electricity. Student will make a model to show how static electricity works to understand the need to be safe around electricity in their home, school and neighborhood.
Duration: 20-45 minutes depending on the grade level and depth
Materials needed:
Tissue paper or tissues or toilet paper or a paper towel
A balloon
A pen or a marker
Scissors (kid friendly if you have them)
Tape
Piece of paper
SC Education Standard:
3rd Grade:
3.S.1A. The practices of science and engineering support the development of science concepts, develop the habits of mind that are necessary for scientific thinking, and allow students to engage in science in ways that are similar to those used by scientists and engineers.
3.P.3A. Energy can be transferred from place to place by electric currents. Electric currents flowing through a simple circuit can be used to produce motion, sound, heat, or light. Some materials allow electricity to flow through a circuit and some do not.
Water Filter
Description: Our educational program staff will lead your class through a grade level appropriate discussion on water quality, how water is delivered to their home and the water cycle. Then students will make a water filter and experiment with materials to determine which items are better for filtration.
Duration: 30-60 minutes depending on the grade level and depth
Materials needed:
A plastic bottle, empty and clean (may be a two liter or smaller)
Utility knife or scissors (make sure a parent comes to the video to help you our with this part)
Dirty water (make your own with stuff like coffee grounds, dirt, crunched-up old leaves, cooking oil, or tiny pieces of foam)
Measuring cup
Spoon
Pencil and paper
Any of the following filter materials as you can get: activated charcoal (available in the fish section at a pet store), gravel, rocks, pebbles, sand (coarse and / or fine), cotton balls
Coffee filter (A bandanna, old sock, napkin, or paper towel works too!)
SC Education Standard:
3rd Grade:
3.S.1A. The practices of science and engineering support the development of science concepts, develop the habits of mind that are necessary for scientific thinking, and allow students to engage in science in ways that are similar to those used by scientists and engineers.
Solar Oven
Description: Our educational program staff will lead your class through a grade level appropriate discussion on the sun, heat transfer, energy sources and how electricity is produced. Then students will make a solar oven and experiment with the solar oven to determine best placement and time of day to harness the energy from the sun.
Duration: 30-60 minutes depending on the grade level and depth
Materials needed:
Shoe box with lid (or some kind of box)
Scissors
Roll of aluminum foil
Thick clear plastic sheet, plastic wrap or freezer zip lock bag
Clear tape
Thin wire, stick or pencil
SC Education Standard:
3rd Grade
3.S.1A. The practices of science and engineering support the development of science concepts, develop the habits of mind that are necessary for scientific thinking, and allow students to engage in science in ways that are similar to those used by scientists and engineers.
3.P.2A.5 Define problems related to heat transfer and design devices or solutions that facilitate (conductor) or inhibit (insulator) the transfer of heat.
Who Came Down That Road
This environmental presentation will take students in grades five through eight on a historical walk through South Carolina's past. They will learn how Santee Cooper brought electrical power to the rural areas of South Carolina and played a major role in revitalizing a dying region.
Duration: 20-45 minutes depending on the grade level and depth
SC Education Standard:
3rd Grade
3.5.3.HS Investigate and explain the economic, social, political, and environmental motivations behind human migration and how places can change as a result.
Don't be a Pathway for Electricity
This program discusses how electricity is generated, conductors and insulators, simple circuits, and the hazards of electricity.
Duration: 45-60 minutes depending on the grade level and depth
SC Education Standard:
3rd Grade
3.P.2A.4 Obtain and communicate information to compare how different processes (including burning, friction, and electricity) serve as sources of heat energy
3.P.3A.2 Develop and use models to describe the path of an electric current in a complete simple circuit as it accomplishes a task (such as lighting a bulb or making a sound).
3.P.3A.3 Analyze and interpret data from observations and investigations to classify different materials as either an insulator or conductor of electricity.
Energy Conservation
This program discusses how electricity is generated, conductors and insulators, simple circuits, and the hazards of electricity.
Duration: 45-60 minutes depending on the grade level and depth
SC Education Standard:
3rd Grade
3.P.3A.1 Obtain and communicate information to develop models showing how electrical energy can be transformed into other forms of energy (including motion, sound, heat, or light).
3.E.4B.4 Define problems caused by a natural event or human activity and design devices or solutions to reduce the impact on the environment.
Careers in the Electric Industry
Spend time with our educational programs staff as they discuss the many career opportunities at an electric utility.
There is also an option to have a virtual job shadowing with and employee:
Marketing
Line Technicians
Mechanics
Information Technology (Computer Science)
Human Resources
Legal (Lawyers and Paralegals)
Engineering
Accounting
Biologist
Park Management
Medical
Equipment Operating
Training
Duration: 45-60 minutes depending on the grade level and depth
SC Education Standard:
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