SCIENCE KITS
MAGIC SCHOOL BUS KITS Grades K-5th
Secrets of Space
Soaring into Flight
Mysteries of Rainbows
Chemistry Lab
Jumping into Electricity
Journey into the Human Body
Weather Lab
GEMS KITS
Color Analyzers Grades 5–8; 5 Sessions/88 pages
Why does an apple look red? Students investigate light and color, experimenting with diffraction gratings and color filters. An updated and enhanced version of the classic GEMS Teacher Guide, this makes a great complement to More than Magnifiers and Microscopic Explorations.
Discovering Density Grades 6–8; 5 Sessions/80 pages
Why does ice cream float in root beer? Exploring real-life connections, students delve into the concept of density with secret formula sheets, a number of Puzzling Scenarios, and a liquid-layering activity. The mathematical equation for density is also introduced.
Chemical Reactions Grades 6–8; 2 Sessions/40 pages
An ordinary zip-locking bag becomes a safe and spectacular laboratory as students mix chemicals that bubble, change color, and produce gas, heat, and odor. A terrific introduction to chemistry, this guide is often adapted for lower grade levels.
Earth, Moon, and Stars Grades 5–8; 6 Activities/100 pages
Students learn a great deal about the Earth and astronomy with modeling and observation activities that focus on gravity, the shape of our planet, moon phases and eclipses, and the stars. A questionnaire on the Earth’s shape and gravity makes an excellent pre- and post-assessment tool. See also Messages from Space and Moons of Jupiter.
Electric Circuits Grades 3–6; 11 Sessions/264 pages
This flexible unit opens with conductors, insulators, and simple closed circuits; these early sessions can combine to serve as a basic electricity unit. In later, more advanced sessions, students read circuit diagrams, build circuits, and learn about series and parallel circuits.
Involving Dissolving Grades 1–3; 4 Activities/72 pages
This guide, like Liquid Explorations and Secret Formulas, creates a very positive early experience with chemistry. Here students explore the concepts of dissolving, evaporation, and crystallization. Using familiar substances, they create homemade “gel-o” colorful disks, and crystals that emerge on black paper to make a “starry night.”
Invisible Universe:The Electromagnetic Spectrum Grades 6–8; 5 Activities/116 pages
In an investigation of the electromagnetic spectrum students examine wave motion, then face challenges at “invisible energy” stations, including infrared (TV remote); radio; ultraviolet (black light) and others. They learn that these have become powerful tools in astronomy. Students are also introduced to Gamma Ray Bursts and ponder the most powerful explosions in the Universe. Many color images are included in the “Tour of the Universe.”
More Than Magnifiers Grades 6–8 4 Activities/68 pages
In this ingenious unit on physics, optics, and light, students use two lenses in different ways to create optical instruments and learn how the measurable properties of lenses are used in magnifiers, simple cameras, telescopes, and slide projectors. A great partner to Color Analyzers.
Oobleck: What Do Scientists Do?Grades 4–8; 4 Sessions + 2 optional/104 pages
This immensely popular unit has been updated, but the strangely behaving substance called Oobleck still provides high engagement while students gain authentic insight into real-world scientific inquiry. Students are totally engaged in observation, hands-on investigation, a scientific convention, and spacecraft design.
Of Cabbages and Chemistry Grades 4–8; 4 Sessions/88 pages
In this unit students explore acids and bases using the special indicator properties of red cabbage juice. They learn that chemicals can be grouped by behaviors, and relate acids and bases to their own daily experience.
Secret Formulas Grades 1–3; 9 Sessions/160 pages
In these compelling physical science activities, children investigate the properties of substances as they make their own personal brands of paste, toothpaste, cola, and ice cream. Like Involving Dissolving and Liquid Explorations, the unit provides real-life experiences with chemistry and conveys key science/math skills and concepts, including cause and effect.
Terrarium Habitats Kindergarten–6; 5 Activities/92 pages
These life science activities bring the natural world into your classroom and deepen children’s understanding of and connection to all living things. Students investigate soil, design and populate terrariums, and observe and record changes over time. Schoolyard Ecology makes a great next step.
OTHER KITS:
COMPOUND MICROSCOPE AND CELLS Grades 2 – 8, 3 Activities
This is your chance to learn to use a lab quality microscope and to see the building blocks of all living things up close. Both plant cells and animal cells will be examined.
Magnets Grades K-4
Simple Machines Grades K-4
Delta Kits: Soil, Water, Weather, and more Grades 5th-8th
The GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and Science) use an instruction manual that is written for classroom teachers. The materials listed in the book are for about 30 students, so you will need to make some modification for home school use!
MAGIC SCHOOL BUS KITS Grades K-5th
Secrets of Space
Soaring into Flight
Mysteries of Rainbows
Chemistry Lab
Jumping into Electricity
Journey into the Human Body
Weather Lab
GEMS KITS
Color Analyzers Grades 5–8; 5 Sessions/88 pages
Why does an apple look red? Students investigate light and color, experimenting with diffraction gratings and color filters. An updated and enhanced version of the classic GEMS Teacher Guide, this makes a great complement to More than Magnifiers and Microscopic Explorations.
Discovering Density Grades 6–8; 5 Sessions/80 pages
Why does ice cream float in root beer? Exploring real-life connections, students delve into the concept of density with secret formula sheets, a number of Puzzling Scenarios, and a liquid-layering activity. The mathematical equation for density is also introduced.
Chemical Reactions Grades 6–8; 2 Sessions/40 pages
An ordinary zip-locking bag becomes a safe and spectacular laboratory as students mix chemicals that bubble, change color, and produce gas, heat, and odor. A terrific introduction to chemistry, this guide is often adapted for lower grade levels.
Earth, Moon, and Stars Grades 5–8; 6 Activities/100 pages
Students learn a great deal about the Earth and astronomy with modeling and observation activities that focus on gravity, the shape of our planet, moon phases and eclipses, and the stars. A questionnaire on the Earth’s shape and gravity makes an excellent pre- and post-assessment tool. See also Messages from Space and Moons of Jupiter.
Electric Circuits Grades 3–6; 11 Sessions/264 pages
This flexible unit opens with conductors, insulators, and simple closed circuits; these early sessions can combine to serve as a basic electricity unit. In later, more advanced sessions, students read circuit diagrams, build circuits, and learn about series and parallel circuits.
Involving Dissolving Grades 1–3; 4 Activities/72 pages
This guide, like Liquid Explorations and Secret Formulas, creates a very positive early experience with chemistry. Here students explore the concepts of dissolving, evaporation, and crystallization. Using familiar substances, they create homemade “gel-o” colorful disks, and crystals that emerge on black paper to make a “starry night.”
Invisible Universe:The Electromagnetic Spectrum Grades 6–8; 5 Activities/116 pages
In an investigation of the electromagnetic spectrum students examine wave motion, then face challenges at “invisible energy” stations, including infrared (TV remote); radio; ultraviolet (black light) and others. They learn that these have become powerful tools in astronomy. Students are also introduced to Gamma Ray Bursts and ponder the most powerful explosions in the Universe. Many color images are included in the “Tour of the Universe.”
More Than Magnifiers Grades 6–8 4 Activities/68 pages
In this ingenious unit on physics, optics, and light, students use two lenses in different ways to create optical instruments and learn how the measurable properties of lenses are used in magnifiers, simple cameras, telescopes, and slide projectors. A great partner to Color Analyzers.
Oobleck: What Do Scientists Do?Grades 4–8; 4 Sessions + 2 optional/104 pages
This immensely popular unit has been updated, but the strangely behaving substance called Oobleck still provides high engagement while students gain authentic insight into real-world scientific inquiry. Students are totally engaged in observation, hands-on investigation, a scientific convention, and spacecraft design.
Of Cabbages and Chemistry Grades 4–8; 4 Sessions/88 pages
In this unit students explore acids and bases using the special indicator properties of red cabbage juice. They learn that chemicals can be grouped by behaviors, and relate acids and bases to their own daily experience.
Secret Formulas Grades 1–3; 9 Sessions/160 pages
In these compelling physical science activities, children investigate the properties of substances as they make their own personal brands of paste, toothpaste, cola, and ice cream. Like Involving Dissolving and Liquid Explorations, the unit provides real-life experiences with chemistry and conveys key science/math skills and concepts, including cause and effect.
Terrarium Habitats Kindergarten–6; 5 Activities/92 pages
These life science activities bring the natural world into your classroom and deepen children’s understanding of and connection to all living things. Students investigate soil, design and populate terrariums, and observe and record changes over time. Schoolyard Ecology makes a great next step.
OTHER KITS:
COMPOUND MICROSCOPE AND CELLS Grades 2 – 8, 3 Activities
This is your chance to learn to use a lab quality microscope and to see the building blocks of all living things up close. Both plant cells and animal cells will be examined.
Magnets Grades K-4
Simple Machines Grades K-4
Delta Kits: Soil, Water, Weather, and more Grades 5th-8th
The GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and Science) use an instruction manual that is written for classroom teachers. The materials listed in the book are for about 30 students, so you will need to make some modification for home school use!
- The materials needed are conveniently listed in one place, but they will need to be greatly reduced. Often it has quantities and instructions “For each group” which will give you more than enough for family use.
- For the chalkboard, whiteboard, & poster activities, you can write on a piece of paper since you don’t have to worry about 30 people being able to see what you’re writing!
- Often when it calls for copies or overhead transparencies, you can simply use those pages in book.
- The first part of the book has an extensive classroom prep section. You’ll need to skim this section and do some of the preparation of materials (in reduced quantities), the section marked GO is where you’ll start with you children.
- Other useful info for navigating through the GEMS books:
- Each session requires about 30 min.
- At the back of each book is some very helpful background information. It will help you greatly to read this before starting the activities.
- Copies of pages that students write on are found in this envelope. Please don’t write in the book!