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?
Slide Image
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?
Here’s a machine that drops water from the ceiling. How could you use this machine to tell the time or make a clock?
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
A computer controls the water. As the water falls, it lines up to make different shapes, like the shapes of numbers, to tell the time!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
This clock also uses water! Like a fountain, water sprays up from holes. The water forms numbers, letters, and Japanese words!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Most clocks tell you the time by tracking hours and minutes. Is there a longer amount of time that a clock could track?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
This amazing clock tells the time, the day, the month, and the year. It even tells the temperature, and has tiny planets that move!
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Some people hate waking up. They turn off their alarm but stay in bed. What alarm clock could you invent to get people out of bed?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Here’s an idea--you could invent an alarm clock that moves. You have to get out of bed to chase these alarms that roll or fly away!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Some old clocks play a little tune every hour. What do you think is going on inside the clock to make the music? Listen.
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Inside this clock there are tiny hammers that hit metal rods. Each rod makes a different sound. It’s kind of like a xylophone! Listen.
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
This musical clock has a bird that pops out! Its “ding” sound is from a hammer hitting metal. Its “cuckoo” sound is made by whistles!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
The black liquid in this clock looks like it’s moving all by itself. What in the world is going on? Take a guess.
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
The liquid is magnetic--it can be moved with a magnet! Inside the clock are hundreds of hidden magnets, pulling the liquid.
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
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

Why do we have leap years?

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!