SciTech Elementary School Labs

CHESAPEAKE BAY CRITTER INVESTIGATION (Sneak Peek)

Available May 15–October 31

Students discover how to use a water sampler by collecting water samples from the Inner Harbor (weather permitting). They use a dissection scope and learn how to identify different species of organisms living on a biofilm disc. They test the water for temperature and salinity and explore how water quality affects the species of organisms found at different depths. GRADES 3–5. Length of lab: 2–2.5 hours. NGSS Alignment (PDF) 

New! ELECTRIC ADVENTURE

Do your students love using electronics? In this lab, students will design, build, and test real circuits to learn how energy is transferred using an electric current. They will learn how series and parallel circuits are used in their homes and schools to power item used in everyday life, including a lamp and a fan. GRADES 3–5. Length of lab: 2.5–3 hours.

OYSTER ENCOUNTER (Sneak Peek)

Available September 1–April 30

Students will answer the driving question 'How are oysters important to the Chesapeake Bay?' They will use equipment, such a dissection scope and a hand lens, to examine oyster shells and their internal structures. They will learn to identify organisms that either lived or are living on the oyster shells. GRADES 3–5. Length of lab: 2 hours. NGSS Alignment (PDF)  

RAIN GARDEN ENGINEERING DESIGN CHALLENGE (Sneak Peek)

In this lab, students develop engineering practices like creativity, collaboration, and communication. They learn about the types of soil that can be used in a rain garden, and they design and test rain garden models to clean and absorb polluted water. Students will collect and compare data on the effectiveness of their models. They will also explore the rain garden installed at Pierce's Park (located outside of the Colwell Center). GRADES 4–5. Length of lab: 2.5–3 hours. NGSS Alignment (PDF)