Allison Smith
8 Followers
OTTUMWA, Iowa, United States
About the store
I taught 8th grade science for five years, where I loved sparking curiosity and helping students connect learning to the real world. I also served on my districts curriculum development team for two years, creating engaging lessons and resources for K-12 classrooms. After transitioning to homeschooling, I gained a new perspective on how to make learning flexible, fun, and meaningful. With experience in both traditional and home education, I create ready to use resources that practical and creative. My goal is to save teachers time while inspiring students to explore, question, and grow in their learning.
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Snowball Launcher — Projectile Motion STEM Challenge (Grades 3–12, NGSS Aligned)
Title: Snowball Launcher — Projectile Motion STEM Challenge (Grades 3–12, NGSS Aligned)Description (emoji-friendly): Launch into winter physics! ❄️ Students test a paper-ball or pom-pom “snowball” launcher to explore projectile motion. Teams hold pullback constant and vary launch angle, measuring distance vs. angle to discover the peak near 45°. They graph data, justify conclusions with CER, and (optionally) estimate launch speed using the range formula. 🎯📈 NGSS Alignment: 3–5: 3-5-ET
3rd - 12th
General Science, Measurement, Physics
Fog in a Box: Dew Point & Condensation Lab (Grades 3–8) 3-ESS2-1 MS-ESS2-5-6
Short Description In this quick, visual lab, students create “fog in a box” using a clear container, a cup of hot water, and an ice pack on the lid. They observe how warm, humid air cools, reaches the dew point, and forms fog near a cold surface. Perfect as a short weather demo, bell-ringer lab, or intro to humidity, condensation, and fog. Full Description (Condensed) Why does fog form on cool mornings—and why do windows fog up in winter? In Fog in a Box: How Does Warm Air Make Fog?,
3rd - 8th
Earth Sciences, General Science, Physical Science
Cranberry Bog Boat — Buoyancy & Density STEM Challenge (Grades 3–12, NGSS Aligne
Make buoyancy click with a seasonal engineering lab: students design a small foil “bog boat” that carries the maximum mass (cranberries/coins/washers) before sinking. They plan, build, test in a water bin, record data, and iterate to optimize stability and displacement—perfect for stations or a full-period lab. What students do Plan & sketch under material/size constraints, predict capacity. Test in rounds, adding equal-mass items until failure; record max mass, freeboard, and failure mode.
3rd - 12th
General Science, Measurement, Physics
Seed Germination Variables Lab (Beans in a Bag) — % Germination vs ONE Variable
Low-prep, high-impact life science investigation! Students test one variable (light/dark, soak time, or temperature) using beans in zip bags, record daily data, and calculate % germination. Includes student pages, teacher guide, and rubric. Full Description: 🌱 Hands-on NGSS lab where students investigate how ONE environmental variable affects seed germination. Learners set up two labeled zip-bag treatments (A vs B), collect daily tallies, compute % germination, and explain results using
3rd - 12th
Biology, General Science
Heart-Rate Inquiry — Biosensors & Data Lab (Grades 3–12, NGSS Aligned)
How does activity change heart rate? In this inquiry lab, students design a fair test, collect BPM data (watch/sensor or manual count), and graph results to explain patterns using CER. Great for PE crossovers, biology, or a winter wellness mini-unit. 🫀⏱️📈 What students do 🧠 Define the problem: plan a fair test (IV = activity, DV = BPM, controls = timing/posture/method). 🔬 Measure pulse: resting → activity (e.g., jacks/jog/fast walk); repeat 3 trials and average. 📊 Graph & analyze: B
3rd - 12th
Biology, Health, Physical Education
Gingerbread Insulation Lab, Keep the Cookie Cabin Warm! Holiday 3rd-12th
Description How do we keep a gingerbread “cookie cabin” warm in winter? In this hands-on heat transfer lab, teams test everyday insulators (foil, felt, bubble wrap, cotton, foam, paper, etc.) to minimize thermal energy loss. Students design fair tests, collect temperature data over time, and iterate to improve their cabin’s insulation. ❄️🍪🔥 What students do 🛠️ Build a testable “cookie cabin” (small box or graham-cracker cabin—not for eating) with a thermometer port. 🔬 Plan a fair test:
3rd - 12th
Engineering, General Science, Physics
Candy Cane Cantilever — Holiday Structures & Torque STEM Challenge (Grades 3–12,
Engineer a festive cantilever that reaches the farthest overhang beyond the table edge—using only candy canes and limited tape! Students plan, build, test, and iterate while applying torque and center of mass ideas. Perfect for a high-engagement holiday lab, stations, or a one-period challenge. 🍬🧰 What students do 🧠 Plan & sketch: identify anchor vs. arm, place joints/tape, predict max overhang. 🧪 Test & measure: record trials, overhang (cm), stability (10 s), failure modes. 📈 Analyze
3rd - 12th
General Science, Geometry, Physics
Pi-Day Catapult — Optimize Angle & Tension (Predict vs. Measure) | MS–HS NGSS
Description (NGSS included) Celebrate Pi-Day with a data-driven projectile challenge! Students tune angle and tension on a simple launcher, then predict vs. measure range and compute percent error. Teams graph Range vs. Angle (and optional Range vs. Pullback) and explain results with CER. 🧠📈 🔬 Investigate: hold one variable constant to fairly test the other. 🧮 Model: use a calibration shot or R ≈ (v²·sin(2θ))/g to predict. 📊 Analyze: compare predicted vs. measured; percent error
3rd - 12th
Engineering, General Science, Physics
Bridge of Love (Truss Strength) — popsicle-stick “arch/Truss” with tensile tests
Design, build, and break (safely!) a popsicle-stick truss/arch bridge to explore tension vs. compression, load paths, and failure modes. Teams prototype, test with a hanging bucket, and compare strength-to-weight for engineering optimization. 💪📈 Students will: 🧠 Plan a design that meets criteria & constraints (span, clearance, materials). 🧪 Build & test a truss/arch using craft sticks and glue; add weight gradually until first crack & max load. 📊 Record & analyze mass, first-crack lo
3rd - 12th
Engineering, General Science, Physics
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About the store
Experience
I taught 8th grade science for five years, where I loved sparking curiosity and helping students connect learning to the real world. I also served on my districts curriculum development team for two years, creating engaging lessons and resources for K-12 classrooms. After transitioning to homeschooling, I gained a new perspective on how to make learning flexible, fun, and meaningful. With experience in both traditional and home education, I create ready to use resources that practical and creative. My goal is to save teachers time while inspiring students to explore, question, and grow in their learning.
Teaching style
My teaching style combines quick, focused worksheets with hands-on activites that keep students engaged. I believe in balancing skill practice with interactive exploration to make learning meaningful. I am also creating bundled units that demonstrate educational standards specifically.
Awards & shining teacher moments
I was honored with the Principal's Coin for my leadership with the Science Club. I also helped develop district curriculum and was selected to pilot a phenomenon-based learning program.
My own education history
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, as well as a Master's degree in Secondary Science Instruction and Curriculum Development. This combination has given me a strong foundation in both science content and effective teaching practices.
Additional biographical information
I am a lifelonger learning that loves inspiring my students (now children) to look with wonder and exploration at the beautiful world God created.
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