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

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?
When you cut this tree, white sap comes out. What do you think it is? Hint: clowns, gardeners, and dentists all use the sap...
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Here's another hint. When the sap dries, like it has on this tree, you can pull on it. It’s stretchy--and it bounces!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
It’s rubber! The rubber tree’s sap (latex) is made into balloons, hoses, gloves, and more! Watch how balloons are made!
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Why is this pond red? What’s going on?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
The water isn’t red--red things are floating on the water! They’re cranberries! Farmers use ropes and rakes to pull them to shore.
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Some people spread out tree branches as they grow into fun patterns and shapes. What shape would you make a tree?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
You can guide trees to grow into almost any shape! Think like an inventor. Could you grow a tree into an object you use everyday?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
These people grew trees into chairs! It takes about 5-8 years to grow one.
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Tree branches aren’t the only things you can grow into shapes. These bridges in India are made from roots!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Most wooden houses look boxy. They’re made out of wood that’s been cut into straight beams and boards. But…
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Check out this kind of wood--bamboo. Bamboo is super bendy and strong! What kind of house could you make out of this wood?
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Since bamboo is so bendy, you can make a house with lots of curves--like this bamboo house in Bali, Indonesia!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Check out what grows on this tree. A very common food is made out of these white gloopy things. What food do you think it is?
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
People let the white things rot and dry out, which turns them brown. Then they’re ground up and made into…chocolate!
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Chocolate isn’t sweet unless sugar has been added. In fact, “raw” chocolate taste bitter! These kids are trying some without sugar.
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?

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

  • Why do lightbulbs get hot?

    -Lyric, 3rd Grade

  • How are pianos made?

    -Vivian, 1st Grade

  • How high can birds fly?

    -Nova, 2nd Grade

How is syrup 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!