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

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
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
This looks like a ball. But it isn’t a ball. What do you think it is?
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
It’s an armadillo! It has tough skin which protects it like armor. But why do you think it needs to roll into a ball?
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
They don’t have “armor” on their bellies! But when they’re rolled up, their bellies don’t show, so every inch of them is protected!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Eggs are easy to crack open. If you squeezed one in your hands, how easy do you think it’d be to break it?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
An egg’s shell is actually strong! Look at how many weights you can stack on an egg! Why would having a strong shell be helpful?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
When a mother bird sits on her eggs, she won’t crush them--even if it’s a really heavy bird like an ostrich!
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
You might have seen seashells at a beach before. But what is a seashell? Why can you find seashells on the beach?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Hint: Think about animals that live on land. What land animals have shells?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Check it out! Some snails live underwater! Spiral shells protect their squishy bodies. Their shells will one day wash up on a beach!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Here’s the skeleton of a common fish. How strong do you think its skeleton is? Could a hungry animal bite a fish like this?
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Most fish can be bit--their skeletons look like this. But this colorful pinecone fish has a surprise inside... (Go to next slide!)
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Most fish’s skeletons don’t protect them. But this pinecone fish has way more bones than most fish--its bones act like armor!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
This fossil fish also had “bone armor” on its skull! It lived millions of years ago and grew almost as long as a school bus.
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Crocodiles don’t have shells, but their backs are super strong like armor. Can you guess what makes their backs so strong?
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
They have dozens of extra bones on their backs (and sides!), right under their skin.
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Many of their extra back bones are pointy on top--here’s a close up of one. You can see the points through their skin!
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 snakes shed their skin?

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!