In this activity, learners investigate how different materials repel or absorb water. Learners use spray bottles to explore how everyday items like sponges, cardboard, feathers, etc. respond to water differently. This activity also introduces learners to the scientific method as learners make predictions about which materials will absorb or repel water.

In this outdoor game, learners play the roles of gray or red squirrels gathering and storing a supply of food in "fall" and recovering enough of them to survive the "winter." Learners carry bags representing their cheek pouches for carrying food. Learners investigate the advantages and disadvantages of how these two kinds of squirrels store food differently.

In this activity, learners simulate taking HIV antiretroviral drugs by using Tic Tac mints and Kool-Aid packets. Learners will experience firsthand how easy or difficult it is to fully adhere to a treatment program. Participation in this activity does not require eating or drinking anything and can accommodate learners with allergies.

This activity (on page 2 of the PDF) is a full inquiry investigation into aerial imagery. Learners will use the internet to gather free aerial imagery of nearby points of interest (or use laminated images prepped by educator). Then, they will imagine they are traveling in a spaceship to visit Earth for the first time and explore how their view changes as they approach Earthäóťs surface. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV GPS: Earthquakes.

In this activity (page 1 of PDF), learners will construct an air cannon by cutting a hole in the bottom of a bucket and stretching a garbage bag over the other end. Then, they aim the cannon at a paper target and try to knock it over by giving the plastic bag a good whack. Learners also experiment with hole size to make the cannon more effective. Relates to the linked video, DragonflyTV: Forecasting.

In this physics activity, challenge learners to lift a book with just air using a plastic bag and a straw. This activity demonstrates compressed air and forces.

In this activity, learners simulate Otto von Guericke's famous Magdeburg Hemispheres experiment. In this modern, low cost version, a pair of learners try to pull apart two suction cups (dent pullers). Learners then calculate the amount of force holding the dent pullers together.

This activity (located on page 3 of the PDF) is a full inquiry investigation into Bernoulliäóťs principle and airplane wings. Learners will design and build their own airplane wing models out of Styrofoam, record their mass, and then use a fan to measure the äóěweightäó change when air flows over the wing. Results from testing other wing shapes and sizes are then measured to chart relationships between lift and wing size and shape. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV GPS: Balloon Fiesta.

This activity (on pages 7-13) has pairs of learners survey an array of similarities and differences between them. The differences survey worksheet focuses on genetically inherited physical features, such as hair color, eye color, ear shape, and tongue folding and rolling. By tallying the whole group's features, they will consider which features are "dominant" (occurring more often). The activity includes reflection questions to encourage writing.

In this activity, learners construct a three-dimensional ambiguous cube to explore visual illusions and how our brains interpret or misinterpret information. Learners will be surprised to see what the cube looks like when they hinder their depth perception by viewing it with only one eye.

This lesson plan provides learners with two activities to explore the connections between events in their lives and the seasons of the year. Learners follow lists of instructions and create diagrams to visualize these connections. This lesson plan includes activity instructions and answer keys.

In this activity (page 10 of PDF), learners approximate the area of the uppermost cross section of an impact crater using a variety of square grids. They conclude which angle of impact results in the greatest area. There are two versions of this activity: Challenge, where students construct a launcher and create their own craters; and Non-Challenge where students analyze pictures of craters. Includes a pre-lesson activity (p54). The Moon Math: Craters! guide follows a 5E approach, applying concepts of geometry, modeling, data analysis to the NASA lunar spacecraft mission, LCROSS.

In this outdoor activity, learners find, count and compare as many different kinds of animals as they can find in two different areas: a managed lawn and a weedy area. Learners compare their animal finds, and also examine which plants in the different areas attracted the most animals. Learners consider how people have affected the diversity of animals in the lawn.

This activity (page 2 of the PDF) is a full inquiry investigation into animal behavior and communication. Groups of learners will fashion a headband with fake ears, similar in shape to those of the animal they are going to observe. Then, they record observations of the animaläóťs reactions when a learner, wearing the ears in different positions, brings it a snack. Learners develop categories of behavior to organize and evaluate the results. Safety Note: an adult handler must be present if working with a horse or even a large dog. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV: Horse Ears.

In this activity (page 1 of the PDF), learners observe how an animal responds to its own reflection. First, learners will observe the behavior of a small animal in a cage or aquarium (e.g., goldfish, gerbil, bird) for five minutes, grading the animaläóťs activity level on a scale. Then, learners repeat the observation period after placing a mirror up to the cage or aquarium, comparing the results. Relates to the linked video, DragonflyTV: Horse Ears.

This activity (on page 3 of the PDF) is a full inquiry investigation into animal behavior. Learners will create five or six scent blocks by rubbing wood blocks with different kitchen spices, foods, or animal scents. Then, learners let their pets investigate each block separately. Carefully observed behaviors are recorded for interpretation. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV GPS: Animal Scent.

In this outdoor, warm weather activity, learners use sweepnets to search a grassy area such as a large lawn or field, collecting small animals to find as many different kinds of animals as possible. Learners observe and try to identify the animals they catch and observe how different animals interact with each other. Because some animals can't be caught easily with sweepnets, the Branching Out part of the activity involves making very small "pitfall traps" in the ground. At the end of the activity, learners release all the animals back into the grassy area.

In this activity on page 5 of the PDF, learners use their knowledge of energy and batteries to create homemade flashlights. Learners deconstruct a flashlight and use the parts and other everyday materials to create a new flashlight. Use this activity to help learners explore conductivity and energy. Follow Milli's safety tips on page 10.

In this engineering activity, young learners investigate multi-level buildings. Learners observe buildings in their neighborhood and then, using simple household materials, create their own multi-level models. This activity (page 4 of the PDF) is part of the Curious George "Under Construction" lesson plan, which includes several activities that explore building engineering. Activities are connected to fiction and non-fiction books and include family extension projects.

In this "Sid the Science Kid" activity, learners make applesauce to explore irreversible change. Learners compare and contrast apples that have been changed by heat with apples that haven't been changed. This activity includes a "Sid the Science Kid" video showing how to conduct the investigation. Safety note: adult supervision required.