Lower Elementary (LE; 5-8 years old)
Week 1 (Aug. 26-28)
The Scientific Method and Classification: Learning the steps of a scientific investigation, an introduction to modeling and classifying/categorizing objects based on their physical properties and structural architecture.
Week 2 (Sept. 9-11)
Performing the Scientific Method: Investigating different bubble solutions (home bought versus homemade) and testing out additional ingredients to create a solution that will produce long-lasting bubbles.
Week 3 (Sept. 23-25)
Categorizing matter: Categorizing types of matter based on different properties like texture, color, weight, size, shape, and/or temperature.
Week 4 (Oct. 7-9)
Physical Changes of Matter part 2: Looking at Solutions: Exploring the different types of mixtures and measuring contents to reinforce the Law of Conservation concept. Students will also investigate the effects of a solvent’s temperature and acidity on its dissolving rate.
Week 5 (Oct. 21-23)
Physical properties of Non-Newtonian Liquids- Testing out different recipes to create different slime solutions and determine the best recipe for slime.
Week 6 (Nov. 4-6)
Chemical Changes of Matter: Investigating how combining various ingredients can create a colorful and explosive chemical reaction.
Week 7 (Nov. 18-20)
Interplanetary helicopters and spacecrafts: Designing and constructing a helicopter originally used in Mars and building a paper spacecraft.
Week 8 (Dec. 2-4)
Outer Space Rock Samples: create a conglomerate rock and take samples to learn how scientists take samples of sedimentary rocks in other planets.
Upper Elementary (UE; 8-11 years old)
Week 1 (Aug. 26-28)
Energy Transfer Challenge: brainstorming potential designs that will result in the successful landing of an egg without breaking its shell.
Week 2 (Sept. 9-11)
Designing for an Earthquake: Designing and exploring various structural designs and testing their ability to resist an earthquake.
Week 3 (Sept. 23-25)
Physical States of Matter: Manipulation of physical changes that do or do not change the properties of matter. Perform a physical change of liquid matter while documenting the changes in its properties.
Week 4 (Oct. 7-9)
Changing Matter: Investigation of a chemical reaction that produces heat and a new substance.
Week 5 (Oct. 21-23)
Mass and Volume: Comparison of mass and volume in their appearance across different liquids.
Week 6 (Nov. 4-6)
Potential Energy Powered Rocket: Design and construct rockets with recycled materials and test their flight abilities.
Week 7 (Nov. 18-20)
Solar System to Scale: Learning how to calculate the distances of planets from the sun to construct scale model of the solar system.
Week 8 (Dec. 2-4)
Astronaut Landing: Investigate the factors that affect a safe spacecraft landing using simple materials found at home.
Middle School (MS; 12-14 years old)
Week 1 (Aug. 26-28)
Human vision: Investigation on the adaptations and limitations of the human visual system
Week 2 (Sept. 9-11)
Density: Utilization of mathematical calculations to determine the density of mystery liquids and using their calculations to create a liquid density tower
Week 3 (Sept. 23-25)
Boyle’s Law: Utilization of air and water filled balloons to relate and investigate the relationship between the volume and pressure of gas
Week 4 (Oct. 7-9)
Permeability: Using the chemical component and permeability of an egg’s shell to compare different liquids with variant pH values and their effect on the resulting size of an egg.
Week 5 (Oct. 21-23)
Satellites: Plan a mission’s purpose, and design and construct a satellite with the necessary functional structures.
Week 6 (Nov. 4-6)
Chemical Reactions: Part 2 Follow recipes and molecular equations to follow 4 main types of chemical reactions
Week 7 (Nov. 18-20)
Rockets vs Hot Air Balloons Part 1: Building two simple model designs for a rocket versus a hot air balloon to explore and compare the vertical “liftoff” of each vehicle.
Week 8 (Dec. 2-4)
Rockets vs Hot Air Balloons Part 2 Building two simple model designs for a rocket versus a hot air balloon to explore and compare the vertical “liftoff” of each vehicle.