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  • Minnesota Standards
  • Science: 5th Grade

Minnesota - Science: 5th Grade

Academic Standards | Adopted: 2019

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

1: : Exploring phenomena or engineering problems


1.1: : Asking questions and defining problems

1.1.1: : Students will be able to ask questions about aspects of the phenomena they observe, the conclusions they draw from their models or scientific investigations, each other’s ideas, and the information they read.

1.1.1.1: : Physical Science

5P.1.1.1.1: : Ask investigatable questions and predict reasonable outcomes about the changes in energy, related to speed, that occur when objects interact.

Screenshot of Sled Wars

Sled Wars

Explore acceleration, speed, momentum, and energy by sending a sled down a hill into a group of snowmen. The starting height and mass of the sled can be changed, as well as the number of snowmen. In the Two sleds scenario, observe collisions between sleds of different masses and starting heights. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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1.2: : Planning and carrying out investigations

1.2.1: : Students will be able to design and conduct investigations in the classroom, laboratory, and/or field to test students’ ideas and questions, and will organize and collect data to provide evidence to support claims the students make about phenomena.

1.2.1.1: : Physical Science

5P.1.2.1.2: : Evaluate appropriate methods and tools to identify materials based on their properties prior to investigation.

Screenshot of Circuit Builder

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. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Magnetism

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. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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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


Lesson Info
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Screenshot of Mystery Powder Analysis

Mystery Powder Analysis

Perform multiple experiments using several common powders such as corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and gelatin. The results of the research on the known powders can then be used to analyze several unknowns using the scientific method. The unknowns can be a single powder or a combination of the known powders. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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Screenshot of Properties of Matter - Elementary School

Properties of Matter - Elementary School

The Secret Service has arrested suspects accused of counterfeiting coins from the year 1915 valued at $50,000 each. The students act as a forensic scientist to investigate the crime scene and evidence. Students learn about the properties of matter to recreate the methods used to make the coins as evidence for the trial. Video Preview


Lesson Info
STEM Cases

1.2.1.2: : Life Science

5L.1.2.1.3: : Plan and conduct an investigation to obtain evidence that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.

Screenshot of Plants and Snails

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. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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Screenshot of Ecosystems - Elementary School

Ecosystems - Elementary School

As a national park ranger, students must restore the ecosystem of a park back to normal. They interact with populations of many organisms including wolves, deer and bees. Students learn the importance of food chains and webs, and how human factors can impact the health of an environment. Video Preview


Lesson Info
STEM Cases

2: : Looking at data and empirical evidence to understand phenomena or solve problems


2.1: : Analyzing and interpreting data

2.1.1: : Students will be able to represent observations and data in order to recognize patterns in the data, the meaning of those patterns, and possible relationships between variables.

2.1.1.1: : Physical Science

5P.2.1.1.1: : Analyze and interpret data to show that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.

Screenshot of Circuit Builder

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. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
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


Lesson Info
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2.2: : Using mathematics and computational thinking

2.2.1: : Students will be able to use mathematics to represent physical variables and their relationships; compare mathematical expressions to the real world; and engage in computational thinking as they use or develop algorithms to describe the natural or designed worlds.

2.2.1.1: : Physical Science

5P.2.2.1.1: : Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved.

Screenshot of Chemical Changes

Chemical Changes

Chemical changes result in the formation of new substances. But how can you tell if a chemical change has occurred? Explore this question by observing and measuring a variety of chemical reactions. Along the way you will learn about chemical equations, acids and bases, exothermic and endothermic reactions, and conservation of matter. 5 Minute Preview


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3: : Developing possible explanations of phenomena or designing solutions to engineering problems


3.1: : Developing and using models

3.1.1: : Students will be able to develop, revise, and use models to represent the students’ understanding of phenomena or systems as they develop questions, predictions and/or explanations, and communicate ideas to others.

3.1.1.1: : Physical Science

5P.3.1.1.1: : Develop and refine a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.

Screenshot of Properties of Matter - Elementary School

Properties of Matter - Elementary School

The Secret Service has arrested suspects accused of counterfeiting coins from the year 1915 valued at $50,000 each. The students act as a forensic scientist to investigate the crime scene and evidence. Students learn about the properties of matter to recreate the methods used to make the coins as evidence for the trial. Video Preview


Lesson Info
STEM Cases

5P.3.1.1.2: : Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, and motion and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the Sun.

Screenshot of Ecosystems - Elementary School

Ecosystems - Elementary School

As a national park ranger, students must restore the ecosystem of a park back to normal. They interact with populations of many organisms including wolves, deer and bees. Students learn the importance of food chains and webs, and how human factors can impact the health of an environment. Video Preview


Lesson Info
STEM Cases

3.1.1.2: : Life Science

5L.3.1.1.3: : Create an electronic visualization of the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

Screenshot of Ecosystems - Elementary School

Ecosystems - Elementary School

As a national park ranger, students must restore the ecosystem of a park back to normal. They interact with populations of many organisms including wolves, deer and bees. Students learn the importance of food chains and webs, and how human factors can impact the health of an environment. Video Preview


Lesson Info
STEM Cases

3.2: : Constructing explanations and designing solutions

3.2.1: : Students will be able to apply scientific principles and empirical evidence (primary or secondary) to explain the causes of phenomena or identify weaknesses in explanations developed by the students or others.

3.2.1.1: : Physical Science

5P.3.2.1.1: : Construct an explanation based on evidence relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

Screenshot of Sled Wars

Sled Wars

Explore acceleration, speed, momentum, and energy by sending a sled down a hill into a group of snowmen. The starting height and mass of the sled can be changed, as well as the number of snowmen. In the Two sleds scenario, observe collisions between sleds of different masses and starting heights. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

4: : Communicating reasons, arguments and ideas to others


4.1: : Engaging in argument from evidence

4.1.2: : Students will be able to argue from evidence to justify the best solution to a problem or to compare and evaluate competing designs, ideas, or methods.

4.1.2.1: : Life Science

5L.4.1.2.1: : Evaluate the merit of a solution to a problem caused by changes in plant and animal populations as a result of environmental changes.

Screenshot of Ecosystems - Elementary School

Ecosystems - Elementary School

As a national park ranger, students must restore the ecosystem of a park back to normal. They interact with populations of many organisms including wolves, deer and bees. Students learn the importance of food chains and webs, and how human factors can impact the health of an environment. Video Preview


Lesson Info
STEM Cases
Screenshot of Fruit Production - Elementary School

Fruit Production - Elementary School

As an agricultural scientist, students help a strawberry farmer who is having problems with low fruit production. Students learn about the factors involved in fruit production including plant nutrients, pollination and bees, and the interaction with the environment. Video Preview


Lesson Info
STEM Cases

Correlation last revised: 3/14/2023

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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Student progress is automatically saved so that STEM Cases can be completed over multiple sessions.

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Multiple grade-appropriate versions, or levels, exist for each STEM Case.

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Each STEM Case level has an associated Handbook. These are interactive guides that focus on the science concepts underlying 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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