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

Learn more

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

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

Back

Mini-lessons

Video Bonus Vote
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
This boulder in Norway is stuck high in the mountains between two cliffs. How do you think it got there?
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
It’s possible that an earthquake caused it to roll down from the hill next to it!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
This has happened all over the world! It might look like people stacked these rocks, but it's totally natural!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
This rock is an unusual shape -- it's really skinny near the bottom. How can that be? Do you have any ideas?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Watch as water rises around these rocks. The water doesn’t LOOK strong, but it can slowly wear the rock down!
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
This rock's shape changed from the water too! You can probably guess how high up the water gets!
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
There's a giant hole in this rock! How do you think it got here?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
It starts with a tiny crack. Over millions of years, waves make the crack bigger. Eventually it forms a giant hole!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
In the early 1900s, this cliff had a hole in it. The water kept wearing down the rock, it eventually crumbled into the sea!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
This rock in Arizona is soft enough that when it rains, the water hollows out these narrow canyons!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
This artist has carved into soft rock in New Mexico, and created underground houses! Would you live in one?
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
This beach is full of round boulders. See the cracks? What do you think will happen if the cracks keep growing?
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
This one cracked open so wide that a person can fit inside!
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
The crack on this giant boulder got so big that it completely split in half! It looks like the mouth of a whale!
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?

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

How do earthquakes happen?

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!