3rd-4th Learning Experiences/Lab Options

**These labs are each 4 hours in length**

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

  • Electricity & Magnetism:  Come explore the worlds of electricity and magnetism in this learning experience. Students will manipulate both magnets and circuits to better understand how their lives are affected by both electricity and magnetism. They will learn about the earth as a large magnet, consider the link between electricity and magnetism, and also construct their own parallel and series circuits. Come see a real-world application of electricity and magnetism through our functioning wind turbine.
    • Standards: 2.4.1▲, 2.4.2▲, 2.4.3▲
  • Force and Motion:  During this lab, students will learn how pendulums work in our bodies and how length, mass, period, and angle of release effect a pendulum. This lab will introduce students to the concept of balance and stability while integrating Math and Science standards. Wii Fit activities focus on the center of balance as it relates to research being conducted at the University of Kansas.
  Components of this lab was developed by Shannon Hayden, 4th grade teacher from USD 491 Eudora, as part of the RET: Bioengineering Grant which is a partnership between the University of Kansas and the Education Service Center–Greenbush. 
    • Standards: 1.1.3▲, 1.1.4▲, 2.1.1▲, 2.1.3▲, 2.2.1▲, 2.2.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 6.1.3
  • Sound:  Students will measure sound waves, experiment with which materials best carry sound waves, test safe sound levels, and experiment with resonance using scientific equipment and computer technology.  
    • Standards: 2.3.1▲, 2.3.2, 2.3.3
  • What's the Matter?  The study of matter and its change is a cornerstone to the world of physical sciences. By studying polymers and their reactions with a binding agent, students will get to see a real world application of this fascinating process. Students will continue this learning by manipulating the temperature of a variety of matter types to see how kinetic energy has an impact on states of matter. 
    • Standards: 1.1.3▲ 1.1.4▲, 2.1.1▲, 2.1.2▲, 2.1.3▲, 2.1.4▲


LIFE SCIENCE

  • Exploring Ecosystems:  Ready to spend a day outside navigating the wetlands, pond, forest and prairie ecosystems? This lab will turn your students into adventurers as they use GPS receivers to navigate a course through the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site. At each waypoint, students will be asked to collect information about the environment whether it is observing microscopic organisms in the pond, life cycle stages in the wetlands, animal tracks, rocks, trees, owl pellets, wind speed, surface temperatures, and more.  DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, THIS LAB WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, MID-APRIL and MAY.  Extra adult supervision is required: 1 adult per 4 students.
    • Standards: 1.1.3-4▲, 2.1.1-3▲, 2.3.2, 3.1.1-2▲, 3.1.3, 3.2.1▲, 4.1.1▲, 4.3.1▲, 5.2.3, 6.1.2-3
  • Structure, Function, and Life Cycle of Plants:  During this lab, as botanists, students will examine the structure and function of plants and learn more about the life cycle. Students will visit the simulated rainforest. By utilizing scientific equipment and a production greenhouse they will design an investigation dealing with the challenges of modern agriculture.  Students will begin exploring the concept of photosynthesis.
    • Standards: 1.1.1▲, 1.1.2▲, 1.1.3▲, 1.1.4▲, 3.1.1▲, 3.2.1▲, 5.2.5, 7.1.1
  • Structure, Function, and Life Cycle of Animals:  
Students trace body systems and learn about the structures and functions of organs during a frog dissection. During owl pellet dissections, students gather information on the food chain. Finally, students also set up their own experiment that returns to the classroom. The experiment adjusts environmental factors of a mealworm and watches the effect on growth and life cycle progression. 
    • Standards: 1.1.1▲, 1.1.2▲, 1.1.3▲, 1.1.4▲, 3.1.1▲, 3.2.1▲, 5.2.5, 7.1.1


EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE

  • Erosion:  Students utilize the scientific method as they investigate the effects to water flow and slope on erosion. Utilizing the knowledge that erosion leads to lower crop yields, students will investigate how to control erosion.
    • Standards: 1.1.1▲, 1.1.2▲, 1.1.3▲, 1.1.4▲, 4.3.1▲
  • The Dirt on Soil:  Is your soil composed of sand, clay, silt or a mixture of all? Students analyze and compare a variety of soil samples through the use of soil sieves, stereo microscopes, and scales. Next, students will make the real world connection and experiment to find out which soil has the most porosity and compaction. Finally, students will begin an experiment to determine the effect of soil on plants.  (4th grade only)
    • Standards: 4.1.1▲; 4.1. 2; 1.1.1▲; 1.1.2▲; 1.1.3▲