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
This mineral, called pyrite, is also known as “fool’s gold.” But this one only contains small crystals...
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Here are some giant pyrite crystals! This is their natural shape --this is how they were found!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This rainbow-colored mineral, called bismuth, is one of the ingredients used in medicines that help an upset stomach!
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Some minerals, like tourmaline, have more than one color. This kind of tourmaline even has a special name... guess!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
It’s called watermelon tourmaline! This is a piece that's been sliced sideways so that you can see it better.
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
These reddish-colored crystals are a mineral called crocoite. They look beautiful, but they're highly toxic!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Some crystals form INSIDE of rock, and can only be found by breaking the rock open…
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This is a type of opal called "fire opal." See how it looks when you shine a bright light on it... (go to the next slide!)
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
When the light shines just right on it, this piece of fire opal looks like it contains a miniature sky with clouds at sunset!
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?

  • Where does wind come from?

    -Sally, 3rd Grade

  • What’s the largest flying animal?

    -Lincoln, 4th Grade

  • What makes glue sticky?

    -Norah, 3rd Grade

How are diamonds made?

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!