Science Connections

  • Using Stop Motion to explain Science Topics

    Create a Stop Motion Video of the Eclipse Using Emojis by Erin Flanagan 

    Stop Motion videso can be used to show student understanding of a variety of concepts.

    • meiosis/mitosis
    • eclipse
    • earth's rotation/revolution
    • seasons
    • cell division
    • life cycles of plants or animals

    A few suggested tools:

Elementary Ideas

  • First Grade TEK 8(B)  observe and record changes in the appearance of objects in the sky such as clouds, the Moon, and stars, including the Sun;

    Program Dash to revolve around Dot in a large circle. Program Dot so that her eye is lit up fully (white preferred). Stop Dash periodically as he makes this revolution - what portion of Dot's eye can he see?  How does this correlate with the moon revolving around the sun and the lunar phases? 

    3rd grade TEK (7B) Earth and space. (B) investigate rapid changes in Earth's surface such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides;




    5th Grade TEK (6) Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that energy occurs in many forms and can be observed in cycles, patterns, and systems. The student is expected to:

    (A) explore the uses of energy, including mechanical, light, thermal, electrical, and sound energy;  

    (B) demonstrate that the flow of electricity in circuits requires a complete path


    (D) design an experiment that tests the effect of force on an object.

    Fifth Grade energy stations (Created by librarians Sara Romine and Wendy Howk)

    Circuits - light up card

    Potential/Kinetic Energy - marble run

    Potential/Kinetic Energy - pompom launcher

    Sound - musical instruments

    Sound - telephone

    Light - ,mirror maze

    Force - rubber band cars

    Force - drawbot

Secondary Ideas

  • TEKS 7.7 Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that there is a relationship among force, motion, and energy.

    Students will design their our own simple machines in Tinkercad 3D software. Then, a panel of shark tank style judges select a winning simple machine from each class to be 3D printed. The prints were then sent back up to the classrooms to integrate into additional learning opportunities regarding simple machines. These prints could also be shared across grade levels, by collaborating with an elementary class that is introducing simple machines to students. (2nd/3rd)

    Physics 4 (B) describe and analyze motion in one dimension using equations with the concepts of distance, displacement, speed, average velocity, instantaneous velocity, and acceleration
    (C) analyze and describe accelerated motion in two dimensions using equations, including projectile and circular examples
    (D) calculate the effect of forces on objects, including the law of inertia, the relationship between force and acceleration, and the nature of force pairs between objects

    Investigate how mass affects distance - Dash robot with launcher + 3D printing. Students will use a 3D printing program to design and print ping pong sized balls with various masses, by varying the amount of infill (from 5%-25%). Use Dash and his launcher attachment to launch and test the different balls. Consider how you will record your results to compare. If you do not own a Dash robot, challenge students to design their own launchers, with considerations for how they will guarantee the same amount of force is applied with each launch. 

    Sphero Physics -  How does the speed of an object affect its velocity, acceleration, force, and kinetic energy?    Challenge