Physical Science
We have Physical Science program options that are appropriate for a range of grades from Pre-K-8th grade. The content and project for each program is tailored for your grade level. All classes can be conducted in both English and Spanish. To find out more or to book a program, click the inquire button below. Additional Physical Science class options are available in our Chemical Science section.
All About Air
Students investigate the properties of air using balls, balloons, bags and even a hair dryer! Participants will learn that air takes up space, has weight and exerts pressure. Includes a discussion of Bernoulli’s Principle and flying objects!
NGSS Learning Standards: 2-PS1-1; 5-PS1-1, 5-PS1-3
Crime Investigators - Choose from 2 themes
Crime Lab: Working in teams participants investigate a crime scene using techniques of fingerprinting, chromatography and various clues. The goal is to solve the crime of the missing Madagascar hissing roaches. An exciting and challenging experience. All materials are included.
Crime Scene Investigators: Search the scene for clues, analyze your findings, and interpret the evidence to identify a suspect.
NGSS Learning Standards: 5-PS1-3; MS-PS1-8
Electricity & Magnets
Electricity comes alive in demonstrations using a Van de Graaff generator and Tesla coil. Students discover the basics of electricity and magnetism through hands-on experiments. Concepts are reinforced as students make an electrical circuit project to take home.
NGSS Learning Standards: 3-PS2-3, 3-PS2-4; 4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4; 5-PS1-1, 5-PS1-3; MS-PS2-3, MS-PS2-5, MS-PS3-6
Floating - the science of BUOYANCY
Why do ships float? Density and buoyancy come alive with demonstrations and hands-on activities using a water tank. Students experiment with different solids and liquids for a concrete understanding of density. Cartesian diver supplies are provided for take home project. (Children/teachers should bring empty water bottles for home Cartesian divers.)
NGSS Learning Standards: K-2-ETS1-2; 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-2; 5-PS1-3; MS-PS1-7, MS-PS2-2
Force and Friction
Students will gain an enduring understanding of the concepts of force, motion, and friction through a series of hands-on activities. They will participate in hypothesis formulation, data collecting and problem solving while utilizing concepts of push/pull, momentum, conservation and transference of energy. Each child will create a project to take home that illustrates these ideas. (Two (2) adult volunteers are needed to help in the classroom.)
NGSS Learning Standards: P-PS2-1; K-PS2-1, K-PS2-2; 3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2; 4-PS3-1, 4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-3; 5-PS2-1; MS-PS2-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-PS3-1
Gravity and Balance
Center of Gravity and Center of Balance are tested using hands-on activities with ramps, feathers, and each other. Learn about Newton’s and Galileo’s theories. Defy gravity by balancing 9 nails on 1. Students construct their own balancing experiment to take home.
NGSS Learning Standards: 3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2; 5-PS2-1; MS-PS2-2, MS-PS2-4
Oceanography
Join us on an adventure exploring the most abundant and mysterious places in Earth, our oceans. Discover the diverse physical properties of the seafloor and find out interesting facts about ocean. Learn about wave formation and what influences it as well as our earth natural weather conveyor belt. Explore the different sun zones of the ocean and what marine life lives in each zone. Experiment with water density and develop a deeper understanding of how salt influences water buoyancy.
NGSS Learning Standards: K-PS3-1, 2-LS4-1, 2-ESS2-3, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS3-2, 3-ESS2-3, 5-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-3, MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6
Optical conclusions - Inside the Mind’s Eye
Students learn how our eyes perceive light. Experiments show how light can be reflected, refracted and filtered through lenses, prisms, and spectrometers. Students make a thaumatrope to take home.
NGSS Learning Standards: 1-PS4-2, 1-PS4-3; 4-PS4-2, 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2; 5-PS1-3; MS-PS4-2
Physics of Toys
Experience physics in action through hands-on activities and demonstrations using familiar and old-fashioned toys. Students experiment with the forces of gravity and inertia by observing and manipulating materials, forming and testing their own hypotheses. An understanding of conservation of energy along with kinetic and potential energy is achieved when students make their own toy to take home.
NGSS Learning Standards: P-PS2-1, P-PS4-1; K-PS2-1, K-PS2-2; 1-PS4-1; 3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2; 4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4; 5-PS2-1
Simple Machines: Duplo in Action
Using age appropriate kits, students will build various simple machines. Participants make a craft using the machines built with Lego Dacta kits. (Two (2) adult volunteers are needed to help in classroom.)
NGSS Learning Standards: P-PS2-1; K-PS2-1, K-PS2-2; K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3
Simple Machines: LEGO Engineering
Levers, pulleys and simple machines come to life when students build them. Working through a series of models using LEGO Dacta Technics Kits, students engage in manipulating materials, interpreting data, observing and predicting.
NGSS Learning Standards: 3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2; 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 3-5-ETS1-3