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
This person is not really climbing the mirror, just like he’s not really floating. What do you think he’s doing behind the mirror?
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
You’re only seeing half of his body. Behind the mirror, one leg is always on the ground!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Anyone can do this, you just need a big mirror!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
We look in mirrors all the time, but animals don’t. What do you think an animal would do if it saw itself in a mirror?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Most animals don’t know that they’re looking at themselves in the mirror! They think their reflection is another animal.
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This mirror makes this person look strange. What’s special about this mirror? (These are sometimes called funhouse mirrors.)
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
It’s because the mirror is curved! Imagine that you look into a mirror that's shaped like a bowl—what do you think you’d see?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Here’s what you’d see! (Want to try an experiment at home? Look into a metal spoon—a tiny mirror—and see what happens!)
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This tree house is covered in mirrors! Imagine you were inside a room covered in mirrors. What would it be like to be in the room?
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Here’s a hallway with just two mirrors facing each other! Even with just two mirrors, you can still see yourself reflected forever!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
These small rooms are completely covered in mirrors! They’re made by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who is 92 years old.
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
What do you think is going on here?
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Water in lakes can sometimes act like a mirror...but why does this person look like they’re standing on water?
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This is a special place in Bolivia, South America. It’s not a deep lake. It’s just a large, flat area covered in a few inches of water!
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?

  • How is cheese made?

    -Glenn, 2nd Grade

  • Why do animals have tails?

    -Eowyn, 4th Grade

  • How many stars are in the sky?

    -Danna, 3rd Grade

Why do some people get carsick?

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!