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

Science curriculum for K—5th grades.

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90 sec
  • Hands-on — lead students in the doing of science and engineering.
  • NGSS-aligned and Common Core — make the transition to the Next Generation Science Standards and support Common Core.
  • Less prep, more learning — prep in minutes not hours. Captivate your students with short videos and discussion questions.

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Force Olympics

Forces, Machines, & Engineering

Kindergarten, 1st Grade

NGSS Standards covered: K-2-ETS1-3 , K-PS2-2 , K-2-ETS1-1 , K-2-ETS1-2 , K-PS2-1
This unit helps students develop their first concept of “force,” and the idea that by playing with forces and thinking about them, we can accomplish surprisingly big things. Less
  1. Lessons
  2. Activity Prep
  3. Assessments

Mystery 1: Pushes, Pulls, & “Work Words"

Exploration (15 min)
Activity: Be a Digging Machine (15 min)
Extras (1.5 hrs)

Read-Along Mystery 2: Pushes, Pulls, & “Work Words”

book Book: Big Machines at Work (25 min)
Optional Activity: Forces at Work (20 min)
Extras (45 min)

Mystery 3: Strength & Direction of Force

Exploration (10 min)
Activity: Don't Crush That House (20 min)
Extras (45 min)

Read-Along Mystery 4: Strength & Direction of Force

book Book: How to Win at Bumper Bowling (25 min)
Optional Activity: Optional Activity: Human Bumper Bowling (20 min)
Extras (15 min)

Mystery 5: Forces & Engineering

Exploration (25 min)
Activity: Boulder Bounce (20 min)
Extras (2 hrs)

Read-Along Mystery 6: Forces & Engineering

book Book: The Monster Trap (20 min)
Optional Activity: Be an Inventor (25 min)
Extras (2.3 hrs)