Generate observations and questions about various types of materials, their properties and uses.

Explore the different properties of materials used for clothing, such as texture, flexibility, and absorbency.

Build a hat that has properties that will protect them from the Sun.

Evaluate, compare and contrast different materials based on their insulating or conducting properties.

Explore and experiment with ways in which materials can be used for different purposes.

Observe the use of fire in the recycling process.

Generate observations and questions about three seemingly unrelated objects.

Conjecture an initial explanation of how objects may be related.

Observe that different bodies of water can be found around the Earth, and that water can be liquid or solid

Explore the Arctic (via video)

Gather observations of how Arctic animals interact with water in many different ways.

Compare and Contrast reversible and Irreversible changes.

Conduct an investigation to determine which types of candy melt in hot water

Analyze observations and construct an argument for how objects are related.

 Explore maps as useful tools for understanding where landforms and bodies of water are located.

Identify different land and water features based on their shapes

Create paper models of mountains to observe patterns of how water and rivers flow

Investigate the effects of rocks tumbling in a river

Construct an explanation for why there is sand at a beach

Model what happens to rocks as they travel along the river

Develop a map to document how land and water interact across the state of Texas

Compare multiple solutions for preventing erosion

Design and test ways to keep water from washing away a hill modeled out of cornmeal

Generate observations and questions about Superblooms in Death Valley

Investigate the mystery of the koa tree

Develop three different physical models of seed structures

Observe how structure affects the seed’s function in dispersing away from the tree

Evaluate whether koa seeds are likely dispersed by wind, water, or animals

Explore how the structures of seeds enable them to disperse, with a focus on seeds that utilize animal structures to aid in their dispersal

Develop a model of a furry animal (“fluffadoo”) and then use it to test how far seed models with different structures can travel

Investigate how plants need water and sunlight to grow

Conduct virtual experiments in order to determine how much water and sunlight a set of mystery plants need to grow and stay healthy.

investigate animal classification and the traits that define each group

Classify animals based on their observed characteristics

Recognize and describe characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates

Describe and give examples of how the living and non-living parts of a habitat support the animals that live there

Build a prototype of their bird feeder using available materials to attract a specific type of birds

Compare and contrast the physical environment and the other living things of two different bat habitats