Week 3:
Physical Science
Monday
Grades K-2


Think About: 
What do our eyes need so that we can see objects in our world? 

Read: 
To find out read along! Click this link: Light Up the Dark! by Ruth Tepper Brown

Read: 
To find out read along! Click this link: The Very Lonely Firefly  by Eric Carle

Watch:
For an insider's look at the incredible life of a firefly, watch this video by Smokey Mountains National Park .

Activity: 
Use a piece of black construction paper and chalk, crayons, or paint to create a scene with fireworks or fireflies lighting up the night sky.
Monday's Noon Video:
Kimberly Dreaden, Bioprocessing Technology Instructor
Grades 3-5

Think About: 
How does electricity travel to power our devices?

Watch:
How does electricity work? It's pretty incredible! Check out this video to help yo u begin thinking about the properties of electricity.

Activity:
Find things that use or create electricity in your house and town by conducting an Electrical Walk-About .
Tuesday
Grades K-2
Think About: 
How can we make a shadow?

Watch: 
To find out watch Part 1-4! Click on this link: Sid the Science Kid  

Activity: 
Make shadow puppets!

Click on this link to find out how: How to Make Shadow Puppets

Click on this link to find out how: How to Make Shadow Puppets with Your Hand



Grades 3-5

Think About: 
How do machines increase the energy we exert to do work?

Watch:
Click on the link: Six Simple Machines for Kids 

Activity:
Simple Machine Scavenger Hunt - Find examples around your home: 
  • Wedge
  • Inclined plane
  • Pulley
  • Wheel and axle
  • Lever
  • Screw

How are the machines related? Do you see any similarities in the machines?

Watch Bill Nye for more simple machines: 
Wednesday
Grades: K-2

Think About: 
How are rainbows formed?

Read: 
To find out read along! Click on this link: How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow by Monica Sweeney 

Watch: 
To find out watch this mini-lesson. Click on this link: Mystery Science mini-lesson 

Activity: 
Make a Rainbow - Use a glass of water, spray from the hose, or a clear crystal to make a 
rainbow. Hold the item up and let the sun shine through the item. Look on the ground for your rainbow.

Activity: 
Rainbow Scavenger Hunt - Have the children look around the house until they have found one item for each color of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.
Wednesday's Noon Video:
Circuit Breakers, FIRST FTC Team
Grades: 3-5
Think About: 
How can energy transfer from one object to another?

Activity: 
Mystery Science - Click on the link: 

Putting It Tall Together:
Using recyclables or LEGOs, build a prototype that combines two or more simple machines. Visit this website for ideas: http://www.homegrownlearners.com/home/2013/6/5/lego-education-simple-machines-and-a-lego-balloon-car.html
Thursday
Grades: K-2

Topic: Sound Effects

Think About: 
How are the sound effects made in movies and cartoons?

Activity: 
You will need a ruler for the activity. Click on this link: How Do They Make Silly Sounds in Cartoons?

Continue on to more activities by going to the slide called “Extensions” for Body Percussion. Click one more slide to “Activities: More Fun with Sound Effects”.
Grades 3-5

Think About: 
Who was Rube Goldberg?

Read:  
Click on the link: 

Activity:
Check out the Rube Goldberg website to study some of his legendary machines. Click on the link: 

Activity: 
Click on the link: 
Friday
Grades: K-2

Topic: Vibrations/Sound

Think About: 
Where do sounds come from?

Read: 
To find out read along! Click this link: The Secret of the Sounds

Activity: 
Make your own instruments.

Click on the link to find out how: 5 Easy Musical Instruments to Make with Your Children

Click on the link to find out how: 42 Splendidly Creative Homemade Musical Instruments  

Click on the link to find out how: Wind Pipe Instrument
Grades 3-5
Think About: 
Who was Rube Goldberg?

Activity: 
Finish and Record your Rube Goldberg Machine

Watch & Read:
Click on the link: Domino Designer
Physical Science
Book List
Help us plan for NEXT WEEK. We're seeking great picture books, chapter books, and middle grades (fiction and nonfiction) on the topic of the HUMAN BODY. Please email the Hub by Tuesday, June 23, with your suggestions.
Extend your learning with great books!

Picture Books
  • Oscar and the Bird
  • Light Up the Dark
  • Moonbear's Shadow
  • Billions of Bricks
  • How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow
  • Just Like Rube Goldberg
  • The Very Lonely Firefly
  • On a Beam of Light

Chapter Books & Middle Grade
  • How Things Work
  • The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
  • Electric War

Ask your librarian for more ideas!
Manager: Dr. Sarah Derry
Address: Drake University
Collier-Scripps Hall, #214/314
2702 Forest Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50031
Phone: 515-271-2403
Email: scstemhub@drake.edu