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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Elephant Toothpaste Phenomenon Lab: Catalysts & Reaction Rates + CER + Key
Your students have definitely seen Elephant Toothpaste before… but this time they’ll ask the question that matters: “What is actually happening—and why does it happen so fast?” 🧪✨ This NGSS phenomenon-based lab turns the classic Elephant Toothpaste demo into a full investigation on catalysts and reaction rates with a strong Notice/Wonder hook, data collection, analysis, and a CER conclusion (Claim–Evidence–Reasoning). It’s the perfect unit introduction for chemical reactions, catalysts/
4th - 9th
Chemistry, General Science
NGSS
MS-PS1-2
, MS-PS1-6
Also included in: Phenomenon-Based Science Lab Bundle (6 NGSS Units) CER + Teacher Keys
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
Zombie Ants Reading Comprehension (MS-LS2, MS-LS4) Questions + Answer Key
Your students won’t believe this is real… but it is. 🐜🧠 This high-interest nonfiction reading explores the “zombie ant” fungus that controls carpenter ant behavior in rainforests—then checks understanding with 10 rigorous comprehension questions plus a complete answer key. It’s perfect for zero-prep sub plans, early finishers, or a phenomenon-based hook for ecosystems, symbiosis, and natural selection. ✅ What’s Included 7-page resource with: Informational text: The Zombie Ants of th
4th - 12th
Biology, General Science
NGSS
MS-LS2-2
, MS-LS2-3
, MS-LS4-4
Singing Sand Dunes Reading Comprehension (MS-PS4) Questions, Answer Key, Subplan
Hook your students with one of the coolest natural phenomena on Earth: sand dunes that “sing.” This high-interest nonfiction reading explains how dunes produce real booming/whistling sounds and connects the phenomenon to mechanical waves and wave properties (frequency, amplitude, wavelength). It includes 10 rigorous comprehension questions AND a complete answer key, making it perfect for zero-prep sub plans, early finishers, or a phenomenon-based lesson opener. ✅ What’s Included 7-pag
4th - 12th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
Magnetic North Pole Reading Comprehension (NGSS MS-PS2-3, MS-ESS2-2) Zero Prep
Hook your students with a real-world mystery: Earth’s Magnetic North Pole is moving fast—so fast that scientists had to issue an emergency update to navigation models used by GPS and smartphones. This high-interest informational text explains why the pole moves, how Earth’s magnetic field is generated, and what the impacts are—then checks understanding with 10 rigorous comprehension questions that push beyond “right there” answers into real scientific reasoning. ✅ What’s Included 5-page
4th - 12th
Earth Sciences, Physical Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-ESS2-2
, MS-PS2-3
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
Flywheel Spinner- Rotational Inertia & Stored Energy (Grades 4–9) 2-Page STEM
Title Flywheel Spinner 🔁 Rotational Inertia & Stored Energy (Grades 4–9) — 2-Page STEM Challenge + Data Table & 20-pt Rubric Short blurb Students design a string-pull flywheel and test how mass placement and hub size affect spin time. Quick build, clear metrics, and a student-friendly 20-pt rubric—print & go. Full description In this hands-on challenge, learners build a cardboard (or lid) flywheel with a string-pull axle, then investigate how rotational inertia changes with mass pl
4th - 12th
Engineering, Physical Science
NGSS
MS-PS3-5
, 3-5-ETS1-2
, HS-PS3-3
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
Paper Helicopters: Rotor Length vs Fall Time — Data Tables + Scatter Plot | 3–12
🚁 Forces & Motion meets Data Literacy. Learners design three rotor lengths (L1–L3), collect 3 trials each from a fixed drop height, compute averages, and graph Rotor Length vs Time on a scatter plot. Middle/high school extensions add best-fit analysis and force/drag reasoning. What’s Included Student Pack p.1: Background, IV/DV/controls, criteria, sketch box with dimension callouts Student Pack p.2: Three data tables (L1–L3), large scatter-plot grid, best-fit guidance, CER prompts Teache
5th - 12th
Engineering, Physical Science, Physics
Pumpkin Catapult Challenge — Fall STEM Activity | Force & Motion Experimen
Description: Launch into fall with this hands-on STEM challenge! Students design and test a mini catapult using simple materials to launch candy pumpkins (or pom-poms). Perfect for teaching force, motion, and energy transfer in a fun, seasonal way. ✅ Low-prep printable worksheet ✅ Covers Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math ✅ Great for early finishers, sub plans, or one-day STEM lessons ✅ Ideal for grades 3–8 Skills Covered: Force & motion Engineering design Measurement & data collect
4th - 8th
Art History, Engineering, Physics
Apple Oxidation Test — Fall Science Experiment | Chemical Reaction STEM Activity
🍎 Apple Oxidation Test — Fall Science Experiment | Chemical Reaction STEM Activity Description: Explore chemical reactions with this engaging fall science experiment! Students test how different solutions (like lemon juice and salt water) affect apple browning over time. A perfect way to connect real-world science to the classroom during apple season. ✅ Uses simple materials found at home or school ✅ Great for lab stations, science centers, or sub plans ✅ Encourages prediction, observation, a
4th - 9th
Chemistry
Gingerbread House Engineering Challenge — Winter STEM Activity | Stability
🏠 Gingerbread House Engineering Challenge — Winter STEM Activity | Stability & Load-Bearing Description: Build, test, and improve! In this engineering-based winter STEM challenge, students design gingerbread (or graham cracker) houses and test how much weight they can hold using 1-, 2-, and 5-lb bags of flour. Perfect for integrating design thinking, structure, and problem solving with holiday cheer. ✅ Hands-on and collaborative ✅ Great for winter break weeks or STEM Fridays ✅ Connects scienc
4th - 9th
Engineering, General Science
Holiday Light Circuit — Winter STEM Challenge | Electricity & Engineering
💡 Holiday Light Circuit — Winter STEM Challenge | Electricity & Engineering Activity Description: Brighten your classroom with this creative and educational STEM activity! Students design their own holiday-themed card or project and create a simple working circuit using LEDs, batteries, and copper tape. Perfect for combining creativity with science and engineering. ✅ Engaging, hands-on holiday project ✅ Encourages troubleshooting and design thinking ✅ Great for December lessons or STEM Friday
6th - 9th
Physics
Leaf Tower Engineering — Fall STEM Challenge | Balance & Design Activity
🍂 Leaf Tower Engineering — Fall STEM Challenge | Balance & Design Activity Description: Challenge your students to build the tallest “leaf tower” using natural materials! This fun outdoor or indoor activity teaches design, stability, and problem solving while celebrating fall. ✅ Quick, easy setup — no special supplies ✅ Encourages creativity and teamwork ✅ Great for early finishers or makerspace use Skills Covered: Balance & stability Engineering design Measurement Includes: Materials list
4th - 9th
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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