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
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
Slide Image
House cats say “meow.” What do you think other cats “say”? Do they all make the same sounds? Take a guess.
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Listen!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
People sometimes call lions and tigers “cats.” But how similar are they really to house cats? What do you think?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Consider this: one of a house cat's favorite things to do is squeeze into boxes.
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
This lion doesn't have a box, but it's squeezing itself into a wheelbarrow! That's pretty similar to house cats!
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
House cats and wild cats love chasing lasers! Big or small, cats are in the Feline family and they have a lot in common.
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
This is a close-up photo of part of a cat. You might think it’s the cat’s teeth, but it isn’t. Can you guess what it is?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
It’s a cat’s tongue! It has tiny hooks all over it, which feel rough like sandpaper. But what are the hooks good for?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
When cats lick themselves, the hooks pull out itchy, loose hair. They also help scoop up water when drinking!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
House cats can jump quite high. Guess how high a leopard can jump—the same height as a kid? Into a tree? On a bus?
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Leopards can jump into tall trees! They spend most of their time up high waiting for a meal to pass by. JUMP ATTACK!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
You might have heard people say “cats always land on their feet.” Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Usually, yes! Over 100 years ago, a scientist took photos to show how cats twist in midair. Watch this cat catch a toy!
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

Why do cats purr?

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!