K-5 Activities

Students will discuss differences between the four seasons and watch a demonstration of how the Earth’s path around the sun creates them. 

Students will be challenged to build a tree and understand the basic biology of trees. They will learn why trees grow a certain way depending on their habitat. 

There is a base activity and extension available if time permits. 

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, 1-LS1-1, 2-LS4-1

Students will create a simple glider out of materials that flies amazingly well! After observing its flight, they will be able to discuss why air resistance and drag make it possible for this design to glide.

Extension activity can be added to make session longer.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): 3-PS2-1-2, 5-PS2-1

Learn more about computer science, the study of computation and information, through this fun hands-on activity. Where we start with the basics of computer coding and help our WiSE robot get through the maze successfully. 

Students will sort out the number of each color, size, or shape in a handful of Legos to display data. 

Waste management is important to the sustainability of Earth. Students will learn the 3Rs of waste management: reduce, reuse, and perform a recycling relay. Students will learn the basics of what can and cannot be composted and in what quantities as they create a compost in a bag.

Iowa Common Core Standards: 4-ESS3-1-2

Students will test the powers of surface tension by experimenting with different soap and water combinations to create bubbles.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): 3-PS2-1

Students will learn about the structure of DNA as they create a model out of candy!  This activity will end with a discussion about the role of DNA.

Iowa Common Core Standards: 3-LS3-1, 4-LS1-1

Students will explore what makes up a biome as they create their own mini version in a plastic cup and bag. They will be challenged to consider the elements that make up their biome and how their actions affect these elements (and vice versa).

Note: The students will be planting seeds in their biomes-you may want to consider keeping them in the classroom to watch for growth after the activity is over.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): 5-LS1-1-2, 5-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-1

Students will be able to create and experiment with the classic string telephone in order to learn about sound waves and the structure of the ear. Once they have an understanding of the string telephone, they will be able to discuss how sound travels.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): 4-LS1-1-2

Students will sort out the number of each color in a bag of skittles to analyze data and make informed predictions.   

Students will create a model of a lung to visualize how lungs function. Not only will students who are interested in medicine or human sciences enjoy this but it also represents some engineering and other science concepts. Works best in a classroom setting with a group of 25 students.

Students will learn about energy transfer as they are given a cup of ice water to design and construct an insulating thermos to keep heat from entering the cup of water. They will take temperatures at the beginning and end to compare results. 

Students will learn about each distinct soil layer as they add ingredients to their edible soil cup. At the end of the activity students will be able to consume the cookie cup.

Note: Please note students with dietary restrictions may have to modify this activity. 

They will get to create their own polymer slime to study and observe that polymers can have both liquid and solid properties. 

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): 5-PS1-3-4, MS-PS1-1-2

Work as a team to build the tallest standing tower out of marshmallows and spaghetti. For an additional challenge, students can compete to build the tower that will hold the most weight as well.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): 3-5-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2

Iowa Common Core Science Standards: 4-PS3-1, 5-PS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2

Iowa Common Core Math Standards: 4.MD.C.5, 8.EE.B.5

Iowa Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

Duration: 30-50

Grade Levels: 3-9

Categories: Engineering, Math

Subjects: Physics, Math

Students will brainstorm designs, create a prototype, and eventually test their Pringle protector. Students will discuss the importance of testing and redesigning throughout the development process.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): 3-5-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2-3

Duration: 30-60

Grade Levels: 3-10

Categories: Engineering

Subjects: Product Engineering

Students will have the opportunity to take on the role of a forensic detective to solve a "crime." Through this activity, students will learn about types of fingerprints and how common each type is. They will then use this information to convict a suspect. At the end, students will have the chance to discuss the accuracy of forensic evidence and how it is used in court.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): MS-LS1-3

Students will test out the efficiency of different “beaks” by acting as birds, collecting different types of food sources with different utensils. Students will be able to conclude the meaning of evolution and how genes and adaptations affect reproducibility and survival of species today. 

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): 2-LS4-1, 3-LS3-1-2, 3-LS4-2-3, 4-LS1-1

Each student uses a small quantity of modeling clay to make a boat that will float in a tub of water. The object is to build a boat that will hold as much weight as possible without sinking. In the process of designing and testing their boats, students discover some of the basic principles of boat design and gain first-hand experience with concepts such as buoyancy and density.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): MS-ETS1-1-3

Duration: 30-60

Grade Levels: 4-8

Categories: Science, Engineering

Subjects: Physics, Materials Engineering

Students will make a Ziploc blood bag to take home that is representative of the components of blood. Students will learn about arteries and veins and how blood travels through the circulatory system. The functions of platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma will be discussed and their roles in clotting.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): 4-LS1-1, MS-LS1-3

The world needs water to survive and as the population grows, more pollutants end up in the water, making the usable water supply smaller. Students will gain a better understanding of the damaging effects of water pollution by creating a filter and discussing solutions to creating cleaner water.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS3-3-4

Students will learn about the design principles used in a variety of bridge structures before competing to create the bridge that can support the most weight.

Iowa Common Core Standard(s): MS-ETS1-1-3