Science Supernova

This is a Web Quest regarding the history of catapults. It prompts students to go to 3 different websites to explore. Answer key is included.

This activity has students identify states in the US and how much average precipitation the states receive. Then the students color code the states according to the map key, and answer a few questions post activity.

This is a STEM project that compels students to contemplate what would be needed for shelter and survival for several days in case of severe weather such as a tornado.

This lab uses scotch tape to introduce the students to the attraction and repelling of static electricity. The lab is editable. It could also be used as a review. Students have a lot of fun with this lab as they discover the static electricity created on the tape.

This activity takes students through the process of making ice candles. It allows for analysis of the physical changes of ice and wax. It provides the students with the opportunity to write about their experience.

This lab has students construct a barometer out of ordinary objects, collect data for 10 days and then analyze the data. This lab could be used when studying weather or motion in the atmosphere. The document is editable.

This lab requires students to build a simple rocket that they use to observe motion and forces. Students shoot their straw rockets and record and analyze their results. This is a great review of the Laws of Motion and the forces acting on the rockets.

This lab allows kids to construct and monitor the presence of water in the air. Step by step directions are included. This project makes a crude hygrometer that can be monitored daily. They work for a long time!

This lab allows students to investigate the relationship between velocity and penetration depth when a potato is struck with a straw. Then the lab goes on to have students engineer protective gear for the potato astronaut. This challenges students to design a way to protect the potato from damage caused by impacts. The lab also has an analysis piece that encourages students to compare and contrast materials that are currently in use in various aspects of life.

This is a great activity to remind students to think about the world around them. The activity uses leather for the bracelets and pony beads.

This is a fun way to check understanding of physical map directions and features. This lab uses graham crackers, frosting, various candy and colored sugar to build the maps. The students can eat the map after it has been graded! This is one of my students' favorite labs! Can be printed on half pages.

This is an activity in which students can exercise their creativity while making physical maps. Students are asked to draw around their hand to create an island. Directions are given. These can be printed 2 to a page.

This activity requires the students to read road maps provided by the DOT to plot rainfall totals for cities across the state of Kansas. The rainfall totals are plotted using a blank county map and color coding. This activity may take 2-3 days for younger students, or may be completed in a day by high school students. You can order free maps from the DOT at : http://www.ksdot.org/maps.asp

This is an activity that enable students to build and interpret a model of how sea floor spreading occurs. This activity is great during the study of plate tectonics or the study of the ocean floor.

This is a document onto which students can record daily observations of cloud types.