This correlation lists the recommended Gizmos for this state's curriculum standards. Click any Gizmo title below for more information.
SB1: : Students develop an understanding of the characteristic properties of matter and the relationship of these properties to their structure and behavior. The student demonstrates an understanding of the structure and properties of matter by:
SB1.1: : classifying matter according to physical properties (i.e., color, size, shape, weight, texture, flexibility).
Heat Absorption
Shine a powerful flashlight on a variety of materials, and measure how quickly each material heats up. See how the light angle, light color, type of material, and material color affect heating. A glass cover can be added to simulate a greenhouse.
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Observe and measure the properties of a mineral sample, and then use a key to identify the mineral. Students can observe the color, luster, shape, density, hardness, streak, and reaction to acid for each mineral. There are 26 mineral samples to identify.
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Use a balance to measure mass and a spring scale to measure the weight of objects. Compare the masses and weights of objects on Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and the Moon.
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SB2: : Students develop an understanding that energy appears in different forms, can be transformed from one form to another, can be transferred or moved from one place or system to another, may be unavailable for use, and is ultimately conserved. The student demonstrates an understanding of how energy can be transformed, transferred, and conserved by:
SB2.1: : classifying materials as insulators or conductors (i.e., fur, metal, wood, plastic) and identifying their applications.
Circuit Builder
Create circuits using batteries, light bulbs, switches, fuses, and a variety of materials. Examine series and parallel circuits, conductors and insulators, and the effects of battery voltage. Thousands of different circuits can be built with this Gizmo.
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SB3: : Students develop an understanding of the interactions between matter and energy, including physical, chemical, and nuclear changes, and the effects of these interactions on physical systems. The student demonstrates an understanding of the interactions between matter and energy and the effects of these interactions on systems by:
SB3.1: : recognizing that temperature changes cause changes in phases of substances (e.g., ice changing to liquid, water changing to water vapor, and vice versa).
Phases of Water
Heat or cool a container of water and observe the phase changes that take place. Use a magnifying glass to observe water molecules as a solid, liquid, or gas. Compare the volumes of the three phases of water.
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SB4: : Students develop an understanding of motions, forces, their characteristics and relationships, and natural forces and their effects.The student demonstrates an understanding of motions, forces, their characteristics, relationships, and effects by:
SB4.1: : recognizing that objects can be moved without being touched (e.g., using magnets, falling objects, static electricity).
Free Fall Tower
Recreate Galileo's famous experiment by dropping objects off the Tower of Pisa. You can drop ping pong balls, golf balls, soccer balls or watermelons. Objects can be dropped in air or no air, with or without a parachute. The speed of each object is shown on a speedometer and a graph.
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Drag bar magnets and a variety of other objects onto a piece of paper. Click Play to release the objects to see if they are attracted together, repelled apart, or unaffected. You can also sprinkle iron filings over the magnets and other objects to view the magnetic field lines that are produced.
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SC2: : Students develop an understanding of the structure, function, behavior, development, life cycles, and diversity of living organisms.The student demonstrates an understanding of the structure, function, behavior, development, life cycles, and diversity of living organisms by:
SC2.2: : observing and comparing external features of plants and of animals that may help them grow, survive, and reproduce.
Flower Pollination
Observe the steps of pollination and fertilization in flowering plants. Help with many parts of the process by dragging pollen grains to the stigma, dragging sperm to the ovules, and removing petals as the fruit begins to grow. Quiz yourself when you are done by dragging vocabulary words to the correct plant structure.
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SC3: : Students develop an understanding that all organisms are linked to each other and their physical environments through the transfer and transformation of matter and energy. The student demonstrates an understanding that all organisms are linked to each other and their physical environments through the transfer and transformation of matter and energy by:
SC3.2: : organizing a simple food chain of familiar plants and animals.
Prairie Ecosystem
Observe the populations of grass, prairie dogs, ferrets and foxes in a prairie ecosystem. Investigate feeding relationships and determine the food chain. Bar graphs and line graphs show changes in populations over time.
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SD1: : Students develop an understanding of Earth's geochemical cycles. The student demonstrates an understanding of geochemical cycles by:
SD1.2: : describing the water cycle to show that water circulates through the crust, oceans, and atmosphere of Earth.
Water Cycle
Control the path of a drop of water as it travels through the water cycle. Many alternatives are presented at each stage. Determine how the water moves from one location to another, and learn how water resources are distributed in these locations.
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SD4: : Students develop an understanding of the theories regarding the evolution of the universe. The student demonstrates an understanding of the theories regarding the origin and evolution of the universe by:
SD4.2: : recognizing that objects have properties, locations, and movements that can be observed and described.
Phases of the Moon
Understand the phases of the Moon by observing the positions of the Moon, Earth and Sun. A view of the Moon from Earth is shown on the right as the Moon orbits Earth. Learn the names of Moon phases and in what order they occur. Click Play to watch the Moon go around, or click Pause and drag the Moon yourself.
5 Minute Preview
Students assume the role of a scientist trying to solve a real world problem. They use scientific practices to collect and analyze data, and form and test a hypothesis as they solve the problems.
