Hands-on Plus! Driving Student Centered Learning with Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™
Workshop Resources Physical Science K-5 Elementary School We believe students should engage with authentic STEM experiences both in and out of school. Through the lens of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™, this workshop demonstrated how hands-on learning both provides STEM experiences for students and meets the expectations set by the Next Generation Science Standards. Download […]
Elephant Toothpaste
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 50 min Prep: 30 | Activity: 20 Physical Science | Chemistry 6-12 Middle | High School Total Time: 50 min [ Prep: 30 | Activity: 20 ] Subject: Physical Science | Chemistry Grade: Middle | High School Introduction This quick demonstration showing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, catalyzed by […]
Investigating Interactions Between Electric and Magnetic Fields
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 30 mins Activity: 30-45 mins ea Physical Science | Physics Grade Level 6-8 Middle School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction A foundational concept in physics is […]
Engineer Physical Science Excitement with a Carolina STEM Challenge®
Workshop Resource Physical Science 6-12 Middle / High School Rockets zoom and race cars zip through hands-on activities that engage your middle and high school students. Apply creative problem-solving skills and engineering practices to chemistry and physical science challenges. Experience how Carolina makes it easy to incorporate STEM into your classroom. NGSS Scientific and Engineering […]
Chemistry Solutions Practice Problems
Activities with UV Beads
Ultraviolet-sensitive beads change color when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Students can use these beads to perform inquiry-based experiments to determine if a light source emits UV light or if different materials are able to block it. Students can also use the beads to track their sun exposure. Background UV light is a type of […]
Boats and Buoyancy
Investigate physical science and engineering concepts including buoyancy, displacement, and density. Students construct an aluminum foil boat prototype and measure how much weight their boat can carry before taking on water or sinking.
Dollar Store Single Function Signal Generator
In this activity, students use a solar-powered model, such as the dancing flowers often sold at discount variety stores. They carefully disassemble the plastic housing and attach a sensor to the capacitor, then use probe ware to graph the voltage across the capacitor.
Demonstrations with a Vacuum Pump
Every physics and physical science student will eventually encounter gas laws or equations of state. These are the familiar Charles’s Law, Boyle’s Law, the Ideal Gas Law and others. Understanding these concepts and solving problems based on these laws is a significant part of many physics and physical science courses. There are several activities and […]
Do-It-Yourself Snowflakes
Snow delights most students and frustrates most teachers. Please everyone when you create snowflakes in the comfort of your classroom. Introduction Growing snowflakes in a bottle can be a fun demonstration to show your students, or they can grow their own snowflakes in class or at home. This is accomplished by using household materials and […]