Grade Level and Grade Span Expectations | Adopted: 2006
This correlation lists the recommended Gizmos for this state's curriculum standards. Click any Gizmo title below for more information.
S:ESS1:4:2: : Composition and Features
S:ESS1:4:2.4: : Given certain Earth materials (soils, rocks, or minerals) use physical properties to sort, classify, and/or describe them.
Mineral Identification
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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S:ESS1:4:6.3: : Identify minerals by their physical properties, such as color, texture and cleavage, and describe simple tests used in the identification process.
Mineral Identification
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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S:ESS2:4:1.1: : Explain that night and day are caused by the Earth's rotation on its axis; and that the Earth rotates approximately once, every 24 hours.
Seasons: Earth, Moon, and Sun
Observe the motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun in three dimensions to explain Sunrise and Sunset, and to see how we define a day, a month, and a year. Compare times of Sunrise and Sunset for different dates and locations. Relate shadows to the position of the Sun in the sky, and relate shadows to compass directions.
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S:ESS2:4:2.1: : Recognize that the Sun provides the light and heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the Earth.
Energy Conversions
Where does energy come from? How does energy get from one place to another? Find out how electrical current is generated and how living things get energy to move and grow. Trace the path of energy and see how energy is converted from one form to another.
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S:ESS2:4:3.1: : Recognize that the Moon orbits the Earth.
Eclipse
Observe solar and lunar eclipses as the Moon orbits Earth. The full and partial shadows of the Moon and Earth can be displayed, and the Moon can also be dragged around Earth. See what the Moon and Sun look like from Earth during partial and total eclipses.
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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.
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S:ESS2:4:3.2: : Recognize that the Earth is one of a number of planets that orbit the Sun.
Gravity Pitch
Imagine a gigantic pitcher standing on Earth, ready to hurl a huge baseball. What will happen as the ball is thrown harder and harder? Find out with the Gravity Pitch Gizmo. Observe the path of the ball when it is thrown at different velocities. Throw the ball on different planets to see how each planet's gravity affects the ball.
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Explore our solar system and learn the characteristics of each planet. Compare the sizes of planets and their distances from the Sun. Observe the speeds of planetary orbits and measure how long each planet takes to go around the Sun.
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S:LS1:4:2.1: : Recognize that living organisms have certain structures and systems that perform specific functions, facilitating survival, growth and reproduction.
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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S:LS1:4:2.2: : Identify and describe the function of the plant structures responsible for food production, water transport, support, reproduction, growth and protection.
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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S:LS1:4:2.4: : Identify the basic needs of plants and animals in order to stay alive (i.e., water, air, food, space).
Growing Plants
Investigate the growth of three common garden plants: tomatoes, beans, and turnips. You can change the amount of light each plant gets, the amount of water added each day, and the type of soil the seed is planted in. Observe the effect of each variable on plant height, plant mass, leaf color and leaf size. Determine what conditions produce the tallest and healthiest plants. Height and mass data are displayed on tables and graphs.
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S:LS1:4:3.1: : Distinguish between plant and animal characteristics that are inherited, such as eye color in humans and the shape of leaves in plants, and those that are affected by their environment, such as grass turning brown due to lack of water.
Inheritance
Create aliens with different traits and breed them to produce offspring. Determine which traits are passed down from parents to offspring and which traits are acquired. Offspring can be stored for future experiments or released.
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S:LS1:4:3.3: : Describe the reproductive process of plants, explaining some plants grow from seed, while others grow from the parts of other plants
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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S:LS2:4:2.1: : Recognize that the transfer of energy through food is necessary for all living organisms and describe the organization of food webs.
Forest Ecosystem
Observe and manipulate the populations of four creatures (trees, deer, bears, and mushrooms) in a forest. Investigate the feeding relationships (food web) in the forest. Determine which creatures are producers, consumers, and decomposers. Pictographs and line graphs show changes in populations over time.
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S:LS2:4:3.1: : Recognize that plants and animals interact with one another in various ways besides providing food, such as seed dispersal or pollination.
Plants and Snails
Study the production and use of gases by plants and animals. Measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in a test tube containing snails and elodea (a type of plant) in both light and dark conditions. Learn about the interdependence of plants and animals.
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S:LS2:4:3.2: : Describe ways plants and animals depend on each other (e.g., shelter, nesting, food).
Growing Plants
Investigate the growth of three common garden plants: tomatoes, beans, and turnips. You can change the amount of light each plant gets, the amount of water added each day, and the type of soil the seed is planted in. Observe the effect of each variable on plant height, plant mass, leaf color and leaf size. Determine what conditions produce the tallest and healthiest plants. Height and mass data are displayed on tables and graphs.
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S:LS3:4:1.3: : Using information (data or scenario), explain how changes in the environment can cause organisms to respond (e.g., survive there and reproduce, move away, die).
Homeostasis
Control a simulated person running on a treadmill. Your challenge is to use clothing, exercise, and sweat to maintain a constant body temperature as air temperature goes up and down. Sweating (perspiration) can be controlled automatically by the Gizmo or, for a challenge, manually by the user. Don't forget to eat and drink!
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S:LS4:4:1.2: : Recognize that an individual organism's behavior is influenced by external cues, such as seasonal change; and describe how an organism might react, such as migrating or hibernating.
Homeostasis
Control a simulated person running on a treadmill. Your challenge is to use clothing, exercise, and sweat to maintain a constant body temperature as air temperature goes up and down. Sweating (perspiration) can be controlled automatically by the Gizmo or, for a challenge, manually by the user. Don't forget to eat and drink!
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S:LS4:4:3.2: : Distinguish between characteristics of humans that are inherited from parents (i.e., hair color, height, skin color, eye color) and others that are learned (e.g., riding a bike, singing a song, playing a game, reading).
Inheritance
Create aliens with different traits and breed them to produce offspring. Determine which traits are passed down from parents to offspring and which traits are acquired. Offspring can be stored for future experiments or released.
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S:PS1:4:2.1: : Recognize that substances can be classified by observable properties.
Mineral Identification
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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S:PS1:4:2.2: : Explain that some materials can exist in different states; and describe the distinct physical properties of each state of matter.
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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S:PS1:4:2.3: : Explain how some materials, such as water, can change from one state to another by heating or cooling.
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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S:PS1:4:2.4: : Make a prediction about what might happen to the state of common materials when heated or cooled; or categorize materials as solid, liquid, or gas.
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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S:PS1:4:2.5: : Collect and organize data about physical properties in order to classify objects or draw conclusions about objects and their characteristic properties (e.g., temperature, color, size, shape, weight, texture, flexibility).
Mineral Identification
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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S:PS2:4:1.1: : Recognize that energy has the ability to create change.
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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S:PS2:4:3.1: : Identify the various forms of energy, such as electrical, light, heat, sound.
Energy Conversions
Where does energy come from? How does energy get from one place to another? Find out how electrical current is generated and how living things get energy to move and grow. Trace the path of energy and see how energy is converted from one form to another.
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S:PS2:4:3.3: : Identify and describe the organization of a simple circuit.
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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S:PS2:4:3.4: : Differentiate between objects and materials that conduct electricity and those that are insulators of electricity.
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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S:PS2:4:3.5: : Explain that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object; and describe how it can be reflected by a mirror, bent by a lens, or absorbed by the object.
Color Absorption
Mix the primary colors of light by using red, green, and blue lights. Use pieces of colored glass to filter the light and create a wide variety of colors. Determine how light is absorbed and transmitted by each color of glass.
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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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S:PS2:4:3.7: : Use observations of light in relation to other objects/substances to describe the properties of light (i.e., can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed).
Color Absorption
Mix the primary colors of light by using red, green, and blue lights. Use pieces of colored glass to filter the light and create a wide variety of colors. Determine how light is absorbed and transmitted by each color of glass.
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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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S:PS2:4:3.8: : Experiment, observe, or predict how heat might move from one object to another.
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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Use a powerful flashlight to pop a kernel of popcorn. A lens focuses light on the kernel. The temperature of the filament and the distance between the flashlight and lens can be changed. Several obstacles can be placed between the flashlight and the popcorn.
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S:PS3:4:1.1: : Recognize that magnets attract certain kinds of other materials; and classify objects by those magnets will attract and those they will not.
Magnetism
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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S:PS3:4:1.2: : Recognize that magnets attract and repel each other.
Magnetism
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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S:PS3:4:1.3: : Explain that electrically charged material pulls on all other materials and can attract or repel other charged materials.
Charge Launcher
Launch a charged particle into a chamber. Charged particles can be added into the chamber to influence the path of the moving particle. The launch speed can be changed as well. Try to match a given path by manipulating the fixed particles in the chamber.
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S:PS3:4:1.4: : Recognize that the Earth's gravitational force pulls any object toward it.
Gravity Pitch
Imagine a gigantic pitcher standing on Earth, ready to hurl a huge baseball. What will happen as the ball is thrown harder and harder? Find out with the Gravity Pitch Gizmo. Observe the path of the ball when it is thrown at different velocities. Throw the ball on different planets to see how each planet's gravity affects the ball.
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S:PS3:4:1.5: : Use observations of magnets in relation to other objects to describe the properties of magnetism (i.e., attract or repel certain objects or has no effect).
Magnetism
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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S:PS3:4:2.1: : Use data to predict how a change in force (greater/less) might affect the position, direction of motion, or speed of an object (e.g., ramps and balls).
Force and Fan Carts
Explore the laws of motion using a simple fan cart. Use the buttons to select the speed of the fan and the surface, and press Play to begin. You can drag up to three objects onto the fan cart. The speed of the cart is displayed with a speedometer and recorded in a table and a graph.
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S:PS4:4:1.2: : Recognize that products are made using a combination of technologies, such as how an escalator uses both a pulley system and an electrical motor.
Trebuchet
Design your own trebuchet to fling a projectile at a castle wall. All of the dimensions of the trebuchet can be adjusted, as well as the masses of the counterweight and payload. Select a target on the Launch tab, or just see how far your projectile will go.
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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.
