Suri Scientists

This is a lengthy project that covers many science topics/concepts. Students will start by engineering a miniature golf course cut out of cardboard. They have specific constraints about the design and theme requirements for their course. This will require them to calculate volume for several different things such as walls, bridges, tunnels, obstacles, etc. Then, they will look at the difference in mass and diameter between a marble and a golf ball. Using everyday items they will attempt to turn

This CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) Unit has 1st graders using clues and maps to determine in which Biome their friend Jamie is vacationing. The students start by completing several different maps (maps of biomes, a continent map and a temperature map). Then, they research about the different major biomes. They repeatedly make new predictions about where Jamie is vacationing. They graph their class predictions. They use clues such as artifacts, flight tickets and letters to make these predictio

This packet has students think about the criteria needed for a straw bridge. It then has a budgeted list that details how much different materials cost. This makes the activity realistic because it teaches students about real life and that tools and materials come at a price.

This is a STEM unit designed for 2nd grade. The students will do a temperature lab about the three states of matter. They will get the mass, length, height and shape for five different food items. They will put them outside for a week and see if anything happens to them. This will lead them to the CSI Case about Amelia's stolen ice cream. The students will look at different maps, pictures and suspect cards to determine who stole Amelia's ice cream. Then, they will fill out an arrest warrant usin

Students will calculate measurements for a pre-made Angry Bird template. They will then analyze different material choices to determine which materials will be the most effective at "slingshotting" their bird to hit four pre-made structures. This lesson has students focus on many math concepts such as area, angles, mass, volume, etc. This lesson also has students go through the Engineering Design Process. Finally, students will focus on different aspects of science such as force and strength.

Students will learn how to set up a line graph by using both the independent and dependent variables of an experiment. They will then practice drawing two of their own line graphs.

This is a multi-step STEM project. Students start by creating cardboard pieces for their 3-D dollhouses. They put these pieces together with duct tape, creating a three story house. Then, they create electrical switches, with paperclips, to turn on the lights, appliances (hobby motors) and/or doorbells (buzzers) in their house. Then, they research energy sources and determine what renewable or non-renewable resource they want to use as their energy ("battery") source. Their final step is to rese

After learning about Ancient Mesopotamia and their geographic location, students engineered a distilling system to separate out the natural resources they would have encountered. They used a fake budget to create a distillation system for i.e. gold (small pieces), silver, carnelian rocks, copper, seashells, sand, salt, etc. This project incorporated research in regards to mixtures, elements, physical properties and chemical properties. The students were required to research the properties of the

Students will be shown the front of a box with LEDs, brass fasteners and battery circles. They will be informed that on the inside of the box are three separate circuit lines. Using teacher provided measurements, and their background knowledge on paper circuits, they will problem solve and hypothesize the outline/circuit diagram of all three circuit lines. Once they have a drawn plan for all three circuits, they will attempt to create their own version of the Teachers' box. This project require

This packet has students pick one plant they want to do a scientific experiment on. The students do some background knowledge on the best conditions for their plants. They then determine how to set up their experiment, i.e. materials and procedure. Then, they go through the rest of the steps where they make observations, collect measurement data and analyze their results. This packet is meant to be used as an outline for the experiment and how scientists conduct experiments.

This project is broken down into three different tasks that will require students to use their fraction, decimal and measurement skills at the same time. The preview page lists the instructions for each separate task and the document also contains a "pantry" list with pictures and measurements, a "fridge" list with pictures and measurements, a Walmart shopping list and a receipt list.

In this project, the students are given the task of building a solar house with set requirements (2 windows, a door, a roof, etc.), with only $30 and with the biggest task being to keep the house "cold." Students research different types of light, different materials and ways to keep their house cold. They will google for this information and find results such as keep the blinds down, get blackout curtains, have fans, etc. I have the students choose three to four things they can build in their h

Students will design a house on graph paper. They will start by calculating the area of the lot (graph/grid paper). They will use the provided instructions to make their rooms and the furniture within it. Some of the items have certain specifications such as the bedroom must take up 1/3 of the grid and the bed must take up 1/4 of that room. This activity has the students working with fractions, converting to common denominators, figuring out area, etc. I even extended the activity and have my st

This packet has students think about the criteria needed for a wooden house (like the one from the Three Little Pigs). It then has a budgeted list that details how much different materials cost. This makes the activity realistic because it teaches students about real life and that tools and materials come at a price. We also test our houses, for strength, using a fan.

After learning and researching about the constant flooding that Ancient Mesopotamia experienced, my students used fake money to purchase materials to build a working irrigation system with canals, embankments and levee/ditches.