Grades 6–8 science

Twelve investigations you can teach now.

Each one fits a class period. Use the included data, collect your own results, or combine both.

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Materials included

Every lesson has data, instructions, and review tools.

01Ready to teach

Engineering

Paper Bridge Fair Test

How does the shape of a paper bridge affect the load it can hold?

35 minutesUse the included bridge tests. No materials are needed.Place two books 15 centimeters apart. Lay one sheet of paper across the gap.

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02Ready to teach

Engineering

Protect the Package

Which padding best reduces the impact on a dropped package?

40 minutesUse the included drop tests. No materials are needed.Put the same amount of clay in each test package. Add one padding type around the clay.

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03Ready to teach

Engineering

Cool a Model Building

Which roof design keeps a model building coolest?

45 minutesUse the included temperature tests. No materials are needed.Cover equal boxes with black paper, white paper, or foil. Measure the starting air temperature in each box.

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04Ready to teach

Life science

Y-Maze Choices

Do repeated choices show a preference for the shaded arm of a Y-maze?

40 minutesUse the included made-up choices. No animal or maze is needed.Mark one arm as shaded and one as lit. Record each choice without changing the maze between tests.

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05Ready to teach

Life science

Seeds and Water

How does the amount of water affect seed sprouting?

35 minutesUse the included seven-day seed results. No seeds are needed.Place ten seeds on the same type of damp paper in each cup. Give each cup its assigned amount of water each day.

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06Ready to teach

Life science

A Pond Population Changes

How are two pond populations linked over time?

35 minutesUse the included pond counts. No field visit is needed.Read the fish and heron counts for each month. Chart both populations over time.

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07Ready to teach

Physical science

Magnet Pull and Distance

How does distance change a magnet's pull?

35 minutesUse the included magnet tests. No magnet is needed.Place a magnet under one index card. Add paper clips above the card until no more are held.

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08Ready to teach

Physical science

Dissolving Sugar

How does water temperature affect the time sugar takes to dissolve?

35 minutesUse the included dissolving tests. No water or sugar is needed.Measure the same volume of water into each cup. Check the water temperature.

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09Ready to teach

Physical science

Cart Mass and Motion

How does added mass affect a cart's motion when the same pull is used?

40 minutesUse the included cart tests. No cart is needed.Attach a rubber band to the cart and stretch it to the same mark. Release the cart without pushing it.

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10Ready to teach

Earth science

Map a Schoolyard Microclimate

Which schoolyard features are linked to warmer air?

35 minutesUse the included schoolyard readings. No outdoor visit is needed.Choose schoolyard sites with different shade or surfaces. Measure air temperature at the same height.

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11Ready to teach

Earth science

Rainfall and Runoff

How does ground cover affect runoff after the same rainfall?

40 minutesUse the included runoff tests. No soil or water is needed.Place equal amounts of each ground cover in equal trays. Set every tray at the same slope.

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12Ready to teach

Earth science

Stream Table Changes

How does water flow affect erosion in a model stream?

45 minutesUse the included stream-table tests. No sand or water is needed.Build the same sloped sand channel for each test. Run water through the channel for 30 seconds.

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Included with every investigation

Everything needed for the lesson stays together.

Teacher setup and safety notes Step-by-step student instructions Included data or a way to collect it Tables, calculations, and chart choices Questions that connect results to a conclusion Teacher comments and student changes

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