Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science.

Science curriculum for K—5th grades.

90 sec
  • Hands-on — lead students in the doing of science and engineering.
  • Standards-aligned science lessons — Cover core standards in 1-2 hours of science per week.
  • Less prep, more learning — prep in minutes not hours. Captivate your students with short videos and discussion questions.

Sign up now to try Mystery Science for free.

Sign up

Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science.

Sign up now for tons of free lessons like this one!

Mini-lessons

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Something really unusual happens during this storm. Can you spot it? If you blink you’ll miss it! (Video will repeat.)
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This is a rare form of RED lightning called a “red sprite.” Very few people have ever seen it!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Lightning flashes so fast. What do you think it would look like in slow motion?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This is lightning slowed down. This would normally happen in less than 1 second!
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Check out these rainbows! What’s similar between them? What’s different?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This is called a double rainbow. The one on “top” is dimmer, and notice the colors are reversed!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
What do you think is going on here?!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This is a shooting star (meteor), but it’s so bright it can be seen during the day!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Usually meteors burn up before they hit the ground, but sometimes they don’t. Here’s a car that was hit by one!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
These strange lights, called "aurorae," usually can only be seen in two areas on Earth. Do you know where?
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This only happens near the North Pole and South Pole! People call them “Northern Lights” and “Southern Lights.”
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Voting for this episode is now closed. Would you like to vote on the most recent poll?

We pulled three questions from our jar. Which question do you want to explore?

  • Why do pandas only eat bamboo?

    -Korban, 3rd Grade

  • What is a drought?

    -Aaliyah, 2nd Grade

  • How do windmills work?

    -Junichiro, Kindergarten

Can animals really predict the weather?

Watch the video to discover the answer and don't forget to vote for next week's question. There are mysteries all around us. Have fun and stay curious!