Upper Elementary (3-5)

What makes cities hot? An urban heat island activity

Explore how differences in surfaces can cause temperature differences on the rnground and in the air, and why

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Domino Multiple Game

One type of domino game uses multiples of five in order to score points. This particular domino game, sometimes called the All Fives Domino game, can be the basis for a number of games designed to develop conceptual understanding of multiples of numbers through twelve and provide opportunities to reinforce learning objectives in a fun and competitive manner.

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There's Air in There!

Air pressure. Air has mass and takes up space. This is sometimes a difficult concept for kids to really understand.

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The Shadow of the Dog

The dogs I know like to be walked at least twice a day -- once in the morning, and once in the evening. But even though I'm the same person and it's the same dog in the morning and evening, our shadows change... In the morning, our shadows point in one direction. This is true regardless of which way we are facing. The shadows of trees, buildings, cars, fire hydrants, and blades of grass all point in the same direction as ours. In the evening, our shadows all point in approximately the opposite direction.

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The Rubber Band Problem

This challenge may be used to introduce the concepts of friction, force, and/or inertia, or it can be used to reinforce them.

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The Cause of the Phases of the Moon

This activity is frequently used to show the causes of the lunar phases. Generally a teacher tells students how to position the ball to show a full moon, a crescent moon, etc. This particular lesson is a little different in that the students have to figure out on their own how the balls need to be positioned. This lesson makes a good follow-up to a lesson about the motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun (such as PUMAS Example 03_10_04_1), but it can also stand as an independent lesson.

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The Cause of the Earth's Seasons

After an instructor-led discussion, students use a globe and a lamp to determine the cause of the Earth's seasons. This lesson attempts to correct the common misconception that the Earth is closer to the Sun during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Sometimes, in order to correct science misconceptions, it is necessary to confront them head on. This lesson encourages students to voice this misconception at the beginning of the lesson and then attempts to correct it first, by exploring the reason for it, and then by presenting an alternate explanation.

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Spoon Mirror

The main point of this example is about "observing," one of the most valued skills in science. Observation is usually emphasized beginning in the Upper Elementary grades. But it is often easier to observe than to explain. "How curved mirrors actually work" is sometimes covered in High School physics. The principles are also discussed in most encyclopedias, under "Mirrors" or "Optics," and are mentioned with respect to lighthouses, telescopes, and amusement park activities.

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Preventing Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when a warm-blooded animal, such as a person, becomes extremely cold, and loses control of his or her body's core temperature. This is much more likely to happen when a person wet than dry. Hypothermia can cause death. Oftentimes it is difficult to know when someone starts to go into hypothermia. It is even difficult to know when you yourself are experiencing the beginning signs.

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Modeling the Motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun

The purpose of this lesson is for students to learn the relative motions of the Earth, Sun and Moon. Awareness of these different motions is needed to develop an understanding
of the causes of the day/night cycle, the seasons and the cycle of lunar phases.

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