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?
These people are on the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Can you guess why it leans like this?
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Watch as this toy tower is built on a sponge. The Tower of Pisa is built on soft ground—but luckily not this soft!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Many cities are built on flat ground or hills. Imagine... How could you build on a cliff? How hard would it be?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
People found a bit of flat rock on this cliff for this church. Mules carried materials here on skinny, rocky paths.
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Italy has many old seaside villages built on hills, too. They have steep roads and rows of stacked houses.
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
The “Blue Grotto” is a famous cave in Italy. Why do you think the water is glowing blue like that?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
An opening in the cave lets in sunlight underwater. It shines through the water, making the cave glow blue!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
The city of Venice has dozens of tiny islands next to each other. How do you think people get around the city?
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Venice is famous for canals. People mainly use boats instead of cars! There’s even traffic when it gets busy!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Italy has three volcanoes! When a volcano erupts, it can “rain” huge clouds of ash. Thick ash can bury things...
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
A whole city was buried in ash 2,000 years ago. Here’s a part that was dug up. What do you think this place was?
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Scientists figured out it’s a fast-food place. People got food like fish, duck, pig, and more at the colorful counter.
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Scientists who study the 2,000-year-old city (Pompeii) have even found 2,000-year-old bread in ancient ovens!
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?

I pulled three questions from my jar. Which question do you want to explore next week?

  • How does a washing machine clean clothes?

    -Ella, 3rd Grade

  • How is cardboard made?

    -Uriah, 2nd Grade

  • Who invented the high five?

    -Max, 5th Grade

Who invented pizza?

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!