Physical Sciences
View photos of the physical sciences equipment (PDF).
FOSS Chemical Interactions
Chemistry is an inquiry into the structure, properties, and composition of matter, as well as the energy dynamics that accompany matter transformations. Students conduct experiments to observe macroscopic matter transformations, such as phase change, dissolution, and reaction, and apply kinetic particle theory to explain those transformations at the microscopic level. In the process, students learn conventions for thinking and communicating about chemical concepts. They also observe energy transfers associated with reactions and infer energy transfers associated with phase change. A diverse mix of empirical experiences and theoretical models helps students construct a solid basic understanding of the composition of their world and the interactions that maintain and transform it. Grades 6 - 8
Module Summary (pdf)FOSS Force and Motion
The world is filled with motion. Some motion happens without human intervention: Earth revolves around the Sun, snowflakes fall to the ground, waves surge across the sea, salmon swim up rivers to fulfill their destinies. Other motions are under our control: clock hands faithfully monitor time, jet planes streak across the sky, baseballs fly over center field fences, bicycles race in the tour de France. Both natural and designed motions are part of our perception of the world-there is nothing special about them. Welcome to force and motion. This is where you and your students will start to uncover explanations for why things work in the ways we have expected them to work for our entire lives. Grades 6 - 8
Module Summary (pdf)FOSS Levers and Pulleys
Humans are the only living creatures that have been able to put materials together to construct machines to do work. Our capacity to see and invent relationships between effort and work produced through simple machines has led us into a world that is becoming more technologically oriented. Knowledge of these relationships is necessary for understanding all mechanics. The Levers and Pulleys module consists of four investigations that involve students in fundamental concepts of simple machines. Grades 5 - 6
FOSS Physics of Sound
The Physics of Sound module consists of four sequential investigations, each designed to expose a specific set of concepts. Students learn to discriminate between sounds generated by dropped objects, how sounds can be made louder or softer and higher or lower, how sounds travel through a variety of materials, and how sounds get from a source to a receiver. The investigations provide opportunities for students to explore the natural and human made worlds by observing and manipulating materials in focused settings using simple tools. Grades 3 - 4
FOSS Matter and Energy
Students experience a variety of forms of matter and energy. They investigate the properties of light, observe the conversion of energy from one form to another, and explore properties of the three common states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas). Students use metric tools to measure the properties of matter-mass, volume, and temperature-and observe that starting substances can change into new substances as a result of a chemical reaction (4 Investigations). The complete module includes: Teacher Guide, Teacher Preparation Video, 32 hardcover Science Resources books, and Equipment Kit with enough materials for 2 complete classes of 32 students. Grades 3 - 4
FOSS Solids and Liquids
The Solids and Liquids module provides experiences that heighten students’ awareness of the physical world. Matter with which we interact exists in three fundamental states: solid, liquid, and gas. In this module first and second graders have introductory experiences with two of these states of matter, solid and liquid. Grades 1 - 2
DSM III Newton's Toy Box
In Newton's Toy Box, students experiment freely with familiar toys and objects. As they explain their observations, they prove Newton's three laws of motion. The path of a tossed basketball, the flip of a grasshopper toy, and the endless swing of clackers reinforce the concepts of inertia, gravity, acceleration, mass, force, and momentum. Students engage in races, games, and challenges that emphasize the laws of motion that govern everyday tasks and cosmic interactions. The kit includes a video of real astronauts in space using some of the same toys. Students use the video to compare the behavior of the toys on Earth with their behavior in a microgravity environment. By dealing with scaled-down applications, middle school students master these laws and the vocabulary of physics with confidence.(13 Activities) Grades 6 - 8
Module Summary (pdf)DSM III Color and Light
Students use prisms to investigate the full range of colors in white light, called the visible spectrum. They experiment with subtractive color mixing and discover the significance of the primary pigments. Students separate pigments with paper chromatography and then combine colors by blending filtered light beams. Experiences with both subtractive and additive mixing help students understand the role of the eyes and brain in perceiving color. That understanding is extended as students identify the dot patterns in printed pictures and manipulate color filters to make colors disappear. Students also explore afterimages and phantom images, turn two-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional drawings, and demonstrate persistence of vision. In the Delta Science Reader Color and Light, students read about different aspects of light and color. They discover that different surfaces and substances reflect, absorb, and refract light. They learn how we see things in general and how we see color in particular. They also read about a famous astronomer¿Annie Jump Cannon¿and her work with stellar spectra. Finally, students learn about color blindness. Grade 5 - 6
Module Summary (pdf)STC Program: Floating and Sinking Unit Kit
Students develop their own answers to why some objects float while others sink. Students test the buoyancy of a large set of objects, many of which are the same size and shape but of different composition, shape a clay boat to observe the relationship between form and buoyancy, test the weight of objects out of the water and when submerged, & use spring scales to measure the buoyant force on fishing bobbers. Unit kit comes with a Teacher's Guide, 15 reusable Student Investigations books, 8 copies of STC BOOK: Floating and Sinking, and the materials needed for a class of 30. Added value: 8 KIDS DISCOVER Nonfiction Readers. Refurbishment Set replenishes kit consumables. The two use kit comes with all of the great materials you’d expect from the STC Program along with a box containing the materials for a second, non-concurrent use. All you need to do is set the box aside until you are ready for it. Grade 5
STC Program: Electric Circuits Unit Kit
Students will answer many of their own questions about the properties and uses of electricity. Lessons in Electric Circuits have 3 sections: 1. Students focus on the basic properties of electricity. 2. They investigate how various materials are affected by electricity, and they identify conductors and insulators and 3. They go on to explore series and parallel circuits, switches, and diodes. Unit Kit comes with a Teacher's Guide, a Teacher's Tools CD, 15 reusable Student Investigations books, 8 copies of STC BOOK: Electric Circuits, and the materials needed for a class of 30. Added value: 8 KIDS DISCOVER Nonfiction Readers. Refurbishment Set replenishes kit consumables. The Two-Use Kit comes with all of the great materials you’d expect from the STC Program™, along with a box containing the materials for a second, non-concurrent use. All you need to do is set the box aside until you are ready for it. Grade 3
SCIS 3+ Energy Sources Level 5
Intriguing, hands-on activities engage students in the study of matter and energy as it enhances their skill in conducting scientific investigations. Comprehensive unit begins with a review and continues through to include Energy Transfer, Temperature Change and Motion as Evidence of Energy Transfer, and Transfer of Solar Energy. Grade 5
Pasco GO car
The GOcar is the low-cost alternative to the PAScar. It's the same molded, plastic body without the plunger, magnets, or Velcro tabs. A low- friction car with spring-loaded wheels to prevent damage from drops.
Economy Magnet Set
An exceptional value, kit includes a variety of magnets and accessories in a reusable storage box. Grade 2 - 6
Magnetic Wands
Talk about attraction! Rainbow-colored wands engage each student in hands-on magnetism activities. Features 6 assorted colors: red, yellow, blue, purple, pink and green in resealable bucket. Each plastic Magnetic Wand measures 8"L. (Set of 24)