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  • Texas Standards
  • Science: 3rd Grade

Texas - Science: 3rd Grade

Essential Knowledge and Skills | Adopted: 2017

This correlation lists the recommended Gizmos for this state's curriculum standards. Click any Gizmo title below for more information.

2: : Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific practices during laboratory and outdoor investigations.


2.B: : The student is expected to: collect and record data by observing and measuring using the metric system and recognize differences between observed and measured data;

Screenshot of Measuring Volume

Measuring Volume

Measure the volume of liquids and solids using beakers, graduated cylinders, overflow cups, and rulers. Water can be poured from one container to another and objects can be added to containers. A pipette can be used to transfer small amounts of water, and a magnifier can be used to observe the meniscus in a graduated cylinder. Test your volume-measurement skills in the "Practice" mode of the Gizmo. 5 Minute Preview


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4: : Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry.


4.A: : The student is expected to: collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, wind vanes, rain gauges, pan balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, spring scales, hot plates, meter sticks, magnets, collecting nets, notebooks, and Sun, Earth, and Moon system models; timing devices; and materials to support observation of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Screenshot of Measuring Volume

Measuring Volume

Measure the volume of liquids and solids using beakers, graduated cylinders, overflow cups, and rulers. Water can be poured from one container to another and objects can be added to containers. A pipette can be used to transfer small amounts of water, and a magnifier can be used to observe the meniscus in a graduated cylinder. Test your volume-measurement skills in the "Practice" mode of the Gizmo. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Weight and Mass

Weight and Mass

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. 5 Minute Preview


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5: : Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has measurable physical properties and those properties determine how matter is classified, changed, and used.


5.A: : The student is expected to: measure, test, and record physical properties of matter, including temperature, mass, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float;

Screenshot of Density

Density

Measure the mass and volume of a variety of objects, then place them into a beaker of liquid to see if they float or sink. Learn to predict whether objects will float or sink in water based on their mass and volume. Compare how objects float or sink in a variety of liquids, including gasoline, oil, seawater, and corn syrup. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Growing Plants

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. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Mineral Identification

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. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Weight and Mass

Weight and Mass

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. 5 Minute Preview


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5.B: : The student is expected to: describe and classify samples of matter as solids, liquids, and gases and demonstrate that solids have a definite shape and that liquids and gases take the shape of their container;

Screenshot of Phases of Water

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. 5 Minute Preview


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5.C: : The student is expected to: predict, observe, and record changes in the state of matter caused by heating or cooling such as ice becoming liquid water, condensation forming on the outside of a glass of ice water, or liquid water being heated to the point of becoming water vapor; and

Screenshot of Phases of Water

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. 5 Minute Preview


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6: : Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that forces cause change and that energy exists in many forms.


6.A: : The student is expected to: explore different forms of energy, including mechanical, light, sound, and thermal in everyday life;

Screenshot of Energy Conversions

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. 5 Minute Preview


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8: : Earth and space. The student knows there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among objects in the sky.


8.B: : The student is expected to: describe and illustrate the Sun as a star composed of gases that provides light and thermal energy;

Screenshot of Radiation

Radiation

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. 5 Minute Preview


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8.C: : The student is expected to: construct models that demonstrate the relationship of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, including orbits and positions; and

Screenshot of Phases of the Moon

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


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8.D: : The student is expected to: identify the planets in Earth's solar system and their position in relation to the Sun.

Screenshot of Solar System

Solar System

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. 5 Minute Preview


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9: : Organisms and environments. The student knows and can describe patterns, cycles, systems, and relationships within the environments.


9.B: : The student is expected to: identify and describe the flow of energy in a food chain and predict how changes in a food chain affect the ecosystem such as removal of frogs from a pond or bees from a field; and

Screenshot of Prairie Ecosystem

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. 5 Minute Preview


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10: : Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms undergo similar life processes and have structures that help them survive within their environments.


10.A: : The student is expected to: explore how structures and functions of plants and animals allow them to survive in a particular environment; and

Screenshot of Honeybee Hive

Honeybee Hive

Explore life in the hive by meeting workers, drones, and the queen bee herself! Visit flower patches to determine the best sources of food, and then perform a waggle dance to let the other bees know where to go. Can you help the bees find enough food to save the hive? 5 Minute Preview


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Correlation last revised: 9/16/2020

About STEM Cases

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.

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Each STEM Case uses realtime reporting to show live student results.
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STEM Cases take between 30-90 minutes for students to complete, depending on the case.

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© 2025 ExploreLearning. All rights reserved. Gizmo and Gizmos are registered trademarks of ExploreLearning. STEM Cases, Handbooks and the associated Realtime Reporting System are protected by US Patent No. 10,410,534

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About Gizmos
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© 2025 ExploreLearning. All rights reserved. Gizmo and Gizmos are registered trademarks of ExploreLearning. STEM Cases, Handbooks and the associated Realtime Reporting System are protected by US Patent No. 10,410,534

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