- Home
- Find Gizmos
- Browse by Standard (USA)
- Nebraska Standards
- Science: Grade 6
Nebraska - Science: Grade 6
College and Career Ready Standards | Adopted: 2024
SC.6.4: : Energy
SC.6.4.1: : Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy.
SC.6.4.1.a: : Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.
Feel the Heat
Have you ever used a glove warmer to keep your hands warm? How about an instant cold pack to treat an injury? In the Feel the Heat Gizmo, create your own hot and cold packs using various salts dissolved in water and different bag materials. Learn about exothermic and endothermic processes and how energy is absorbed or released when bonds are broken and new bonds form. 5 Minute Preview
Beat the Heat: Tackling Urban Heat Islands Using the Science of Energy - Middle School
Lake City's latest heat wave has more people in the hospital than ever before. Juan, a local student admitted to the hospital, lives in one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city. Students are hired as the city's Chief Heat Officer to investigate and solve the problem. As the Chief Heat Officer, students look at land uses, surface air temperatures, and building materials across Lake City. Students will develop a system model to test several design solutions and give the mayor a proposal to beat the heat. Video Preview
Protecting Permafrost: Heat Transfer Highway - Middle School
Thawing permafrost threatens the stability of critical infrastructure in the Arctic community of Frostville, Alaska. Students take on the role of a civil engineer to design heat transfer solutions to protect permafrost in a warming climate. Video Preview
SC.6.4.1.b: : Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principle and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
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. 5 Minute Preview
Beat the Heat: Tackling Urban Heat Islands Using the Science of Energy - Middle School
Lake City's latest heat wave has more people in the hospital than ever before. Juan, a local student admitted to the hospital, lives in one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city. Students are hired as the city's Chief Heat Officer to investigate and solve the problem. As the Chief Heat Officer, students look at land uses, surface air temperatures, and building materials across Lake City. Students will develop a system model to test several design solutions and give the mayor a proposal to beat the heat. Video Preview
Protecting Permafrost: Heat Transfer Highway - Middle School
Thawing permafrost threatens the stability of critical infrastructure in the Arctic community of Frostville, Alaska. Students take on the role of a civil engineer to design heat transfer solutions to protect permafrost in a warming climate. Video Preview
SC.6.4.1.c: : Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, type of matter, mass, and change in average kinetic energy of particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.
Calorimetry Lab
Investigate how calorimetry can be used to find relative specific heat values when different substances are mixed with water. Modify initial mass and temperature values to see effects on the system. One or any combination of the substances can be mixed with water. A dynamic graph (temperature vs. time) shows temperatures of the individual substances after mixing. 5 Minute Preview
Energy Conversion in a System
A falling cylinder is attached to a rotating propeller that stirs and heats the water in a beaker. The mass and height of the cylinder, as well as the quantity and initial temperature of water can be adjusted. The temperature of the water is measured as energy is converted from one form to another. 5 Minute Preview
Heat Transfer by Conduction
An insulated beaker of hot water is connected to a beaker of cold water with a conducting bar, and over time the temperatures of the beakers equalize as heat is transferred through the bar. Four materials (aluminum, copper, steel, and glass) are available for the bar. 5 Minute Preview
Phase Changes
Explore the relationship between molecular motion, temperature, and phase changes. Compare the molecular structure of solids, liquids, and gases. Graph temperature changes as ice is melted and water is boiled. Find the effect of altitude on phase changes. The starting temperature, ice volume, altitude, and rate of heating or cooling can be adjusted. 5 Minute Preview
SC.6.4.1.d: : Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.
Air Track
Adjust the mass and velocity of two gliders on a frictionless air track. Measure the velocity, momentum, and kinetic energy of each glider as they approach each other and collide. Collisions can be elastic or inelastic. 5 Minute Preview
Energy Conversion in a System
A falling cylinder is attached to a rotating propeller that stirs and heats the water in a beaker. The mass and height of the cylinder, as well as the quantity and initial temperature of water can be adjusted. The temperature of the water is measured as energy is converted from one form to another. 5 Minute Preview
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
SC.6.6: : Structure and Function and Information Processing
SC.6.6.2: : Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the relationship between structure and function in living things.
SC.6.6.2.a: : Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many varied cells.
Cell Types
Explore a wide variety of cells, from bacteria to human neurons, using a compound light microscope. Select a sample to study, then focus on the sample using the coarse and fine focus controls of the microscope. Compare the structures found in different cells, then perform tests to see if the sample is alive. 5 Minute Preview
Embryo Development
Explore how a fertilized cell develops into an embryo, a fetus, and eventually an adult organism. Compare embryo development in different vertebrate species and try to guess which embryo belongs to each species. Use dyes to trace the differentiation of cells during early embryo development, from the zygote to the neurula. 5 Minute Preview
SC.6.6.2.b: : Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of a cell contribute to the function.
Cell Energy Cycle
Explore the processes of photosynthesis and respiration that occur within plant and animal cells. The cyclical nature of the two processes can be constructed visually, and the simplified photosynthesis and respiration formulae can be balanced. 5 Minute Preview
Cell Structure
Select a sample cell from an animal, plant, or bacterium and view the cell under a microscope. Select each organelle on the image to learn more about its structure and function. Closeup views and animations of certain organelles is provided. 5 Minute Preview
Cell Types
Explore a wide variety of cells, from bacteria to human neurons, using a compound light microscope. Select a sample to study, then focus on the sample using the coarse and fine focus controls of the microscope. Compare the structures found in different cells, then perform tests to see if the sample is alive. 5 Minute Preview
Osmosis
Adjust the concentration of a solute on either side of a membrane in a cell and observe the system as it adjusts to the conditions through osmosis. The initial concentration of the solute can be manipulated, along with the volume of the cell. 5 Minute Preview
Photosynthesis and Respiration: Chloe's Goldfish
Chloe's goldfish are sick, and she needs to help them quickly! In this standalone lesson, students use the Plants and Snails and Cell Energy Cycle Gizmos to investigate cellular respiration and determine how to help Chloe's fish. Preview
Photosynthesis and Respiration: Henry's Snails
Henry is having trouble with his pet snails. To help, students will investigate the interdependence of photosynthesis and respiration using the Plants and Snails and Cell Energy Cycle Gizmos. Students will be challenged to use plants to create a stable environment for Henry's snails. Preview
Photosynthesis and Respiration: Maximizing Oxygen Extension
To support a future moon station, NASA plans to grow plants to supply food and oxygen. Jorge's job is to investigate how to maximize oxygen production. Using the Photosynthesis Lab Gizmo, students will undergo a series of controlled experiments to determine the ideal light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and light wavelength. Preview
Photosynthesis and Respiration: Mission to Mars
Excited for his summer internship at NASA, Jorge dives into his assignment of finding a way to provide oxygen for astronauts on a mission to Mars. Using the Plants and Snails and Cell Energy Cycle Gizmos, students will investigate photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and how these two processes are related to find a solution to Jorge's challenge. Preview
Photosynthesis and Respiration: Winter Strawberries
Anna's grandparents are trying to grow winter strawberries in a greenhouse, but the plants aren't doing well. Students will use the Plants and Snails and Cell Energy Cycle Gizmo to investigate photosynthesis and find a way to help the strawberries grow. Preview
SC.6.6.2.c: : Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.
Cell Types
Explore a wide variety of cells, from bacteria to human neurons, using a compound light microscope. Select a sample to study, then focus on the sample using the coarse and fine focus controls of the microscope. Compare the structures found in different cells, then perform tests to see if the sample is alive. 5 Minute Preview
Circulatory System
Trace the path of blood through a beating heart and the network of blood vessels that supplies blood to the body. Take blood samples from different blood vessels to observe blood cells and measure the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, sugar, and urea. 5 Minute Preview
Digestive System
Digestion is a complex process, involving a wide variety of organs and chemicals that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate wastes. But have you ever wondered what would happen if some of those organs were eliminated, or if the sequence was changed? Can the digestive system be improved? Find out by designing your own digestive system with the Digestive System Gizmo. 5 Minute Preview
Frog Dissection
Use a scalpel, forceps, and pins to dissect realistic male and female frogs. Organs can be removed and placed into organ system diagrams. Once the dissections are complete, the frog organ systems can be compared. Zooming, rotating, and panning tools are available to examine the frog from any angle. 5 Minute Preview
Muscles and Bones
See how muscles, bones, and connective tissue work together to allow movement. Observe how muscle contraction arises from the interactions of thin and thick filaments in muscle cells. Using what you have learned, construct an arm that can lift a weight or throw a ball. Connective tissue, muscle composition, bone length, and tendon insertion point can all be manipulated to create an arm to lift the heaviest weight or throw a ball the fastest. 5 Minute Preview
Senses
Everything we know about the world comes through our senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. In the Senses Gizmo, explore how stimuli are detected by specialized cells, transmitted through nerves, and processed in the brain. 5 Minute Preview
SC.6.6.2.d: : Gather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for immediate behavior or stored as memories.
Eyes and Vision 2 - Focusing Light
Once light enters the eye, it must be focused on the retina. Manipulate the pupil diameter to regulate the amount of light that enters then eye, then change the lens shape to focus light. Determine the changes in lens shape needed to maintain focus as the object distance changes. This is a followup to the Eyes and Vision 1 - Seeing Colors lesson. 5 Minute Preview
Eyes and Vision 3 - Sensing Light
Observe how photoreceptors on the retina are stimulated by different colors of light. Determine that cone cells are stimulated by specific colors of light and enable us to see color, while rod cells are stimulated by various colors and do not contribute to color vision. Experiment by varying the percentage of rod and cone cells in normal and dim light to see how rod cells help with night vision. 5 Minute Preview
Reaction Time 1 (Graphs and Statistics)
Test your reaction time by catching a falling ruler or clicking a target. Create a data set of experiment results, and calculate the range, mode, median, and mean of your data. Data can be displayed on a list, table, bar graph or dot plot. The Reaction Time 1 Student Exploration focuses on range, mode, and median. 5 Minute Preview
Senses
Everything we know about the world comes through our senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. In the Senses Gizmo, explore how stimuli are detected by specialized cells, transmitted through nerves, and processed in the brain. 5 Minute Preview
Animal Group Behavior - Middle School
A farmer in Africa is having problems with elephants eating her corn and cotton crops. As a wildlife biologist, students learn about animal group behavior and relationships of elephants and humans with bees. Students collect data from the farm and elephants to hypothesize and test solutions that will protect the crops without hurting the elephants. Video Preview
SC.6.9: : Growth, Development, and Reproduction of Organisms
SC.6.9.3: : Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.
SC.6.9.3.a: : Construct an argument based on evidence for how plant and animal adaptations affect the probability of successful 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. 5 Minute Preview
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
Fruit Production - Middle 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
Heredity and Traits - Middle School
As a bee scientist, students help a honey farm that has low honey production due to wasps. Students learn about bees, heredity and traits to determine which traits will help the bees defend their hives against the wasps. They then pick a new queen bee to pass on these traits to the bee colony. Video Preview
SC.6.9.3.b: : Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
Fast Plants® 1 - Growth and Genetics
Grow Wisconsin Fast Plants® in a simulated lab environment. Explore the life cycles of these plants and how their growth is influenced by light, water, and crowding. Practice pollinating the plants using bee sticks, then observe the traits of the offspring plants. Use Punnett squares to model the inheritance of genes for stem color and leaf color for these plants. 5 Minute Preview
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
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. 5 Minute Preview
Measuring Trees
Measure the height, diameter, and circumference of trees in a forest. Count growth rings to determine the age of each tree. Grow the trees for several years and investigate how growth is affected by precipitation. 5 Minute Preview
Seed Germination
Perform experiments with several seed types to see what conditions yield the highest germination (sprouting) rate. Three different types of seeds can be studied, and the temperature, water and light in the germination chamber can be controlled. No two trials will have the same result so repeated trials are recommended. 5 Minute Preview
Temperature and Sex Determination
Observe the sex ratios of birds and geckos as they hatch in an incubator. Vary the temperature of the incubator and measure the percentages of male and female hatchlings to determine if temperature has an effect on sex. 5 Minute Preview
Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric
Observe the sex ratios of birds and geckos as they hatch in an incubator. Vary the temperature of the incubator and measure the percentages of male and female hatchlings to determine if temperature has an effect on sex. 5 Minute Preview
SC.6.9.3.c: : Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.
Genetics: Fancy Guinea Pigs
In this standalone lesson, students investigate the phenomenon of long-haired guinea pigs. After reviewing genetics basics, students will use Punnett Squares to model different genotype combinations, use the Mouse Genetics Gizmo to test their predictions, and then apply their learning to guinea pigs. Preview
Genetics: Red-Hair Mystery
In this lesson series, students will investigate Mendel's Laws through the phenomenon of a red-haired girl born from two brown-haired parents. Students will use the Mouse Genetics Gizmo to make observations, gather data, and test their predictions. Students will create their own models of inheritance, learn about dominant and recessive alleles, and use Punnett Squares to make specific predictions of genetic outcomes. Preview
Genetics: White Kittens
In this standalone lesson, students investigate the phenomenon of a tabby cat with a litter of white kittens. Students will use the Mouse Genetics Gizmo to come up with and test their own models before learning about dominant and recessive alleles and applying their learning to solve the phenomenon. Preview
SC.6.12: : Weather and Climate
SC.6.12.4: : Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of factors and interactions that affect weather and climate.
SC.6.12.4.a: : Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
Coastal Winds and Clouds
Observe daily weather conditions in a coastal region. Measure temperatures and wind speeds at any location and use this data to map convection currents that form during the day and night. Explain the origin of land breezes and sea breezes. 5 Minute Preview
Coastal Winds and Clouds - Metric
Observe daily weather conditions in a coastal region. Measure temperatures and wind speeds at any location and use this data to map convection currents that form during the day and night. Explain the origin of land breezes and sea breezes. 5 Minute Preview
Coriolis Effect
The Coriolis effect causes winds to be deflected as they move across Earth's surface, resulting in circular patterns of winds. This effect is caused by two factors, Earth's rotation and frame of reference. In the Coriolis Effect Gizmo, students will build their understanding of this phenomenon using the analogy of two kids playing catch: first on a train, then on a merry-go-round, and finally on Earth's surface. 5 Minute Preview
Hurricane Motion
Use data from up to three weather stations to predict the motion of a hurricane. The wind speed, wind direction, cloud cover and air pressure are provided for each station using standard weather symbols. 5 Minute Preview
Hurricane Motion - Metric
Use data from up to three weather stations to predict the motion of a hurricane. The wind speed, wind direction, cloud cover and air pressure are provided for each station using standard weather symbols. 5 Minute Preview
Weather Maps
Learn about standard symbols used in meteorology to construct weather maps. Rain, sleet, snow, temperature, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure can all be recorded at two different weather stations on a map. Describe weather patterns characteristic of high-pressure systems, low-pressure systems, warm fronts, and cold fronts. 5 Minute Preview
Weather Maps - Metric
Learn about standard symbols used in meteorology to construct weather maps. Rain, sleet, snow, temperature, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure can all be recorded at two different weather stations on a map. Describe weather patterns characteristic of high-pressure systems, low-pressure systems, warm fronts, and cold fronts. 5 Minute Preview
SC.6.12.4.b: : Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
Convection Cells
Explore the causes of convection by heating liquid and observing the resulting motion. The location and intensity of the heat source (or sources) can be varied, as well as the viscosity of the liquid. Use a probe to measure temperature and density in different areas and observe the motion of molecules in the liquid. Then, explore real-world examples of convection cells in Earth's mantle, oceans, and atmosphere. 5 Minute Preview
Coriolis Effect
The Coriolis effect causes winds to be deflected as they move across Earth's surface, resulting in circular patterns of winds. This effect is caused by two factors, Earth's rotation and frame of reference. In the Coriolis Effect Gizmo, students will build their understanding of this phenomenon using the analogy of two kids playing catch: first on a train, then on a merry-go-round, and finally on Earth's surface. 5 Minute Preview
SC.6.12.4.c: : Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the change in global temperatures over thousands of years.
Carbon Cycle
Follow the path of a carbon atom through the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Manipulate a simplified model to see how human activities and other factors affect the amount of atmospheric carbon today and in the future. 5 Minute Preview
Greenhouse Effect
Within this simulated region of land, daytime's rising temperature and the falling temperature at night can be measured, along with heat flow in and out of the system. The level of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere at any given time can be adjusted, allowing the long-term effects to be investigated. 5 Minute Preview
Greenhouse Effect - Metric
Within this simulated region of land, daytime's rising temperature and the falling temperature at night can be measured, along with heat flow in and out of the system. The amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere can be adjusted through time, and the long-term effects can be investigated. 5 Minute Preview
SC.6.12.4.d: : Analyze and interpret data on weather and climate to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effect.
Hurricane Motion
Use data from up to three weather stations to predict the motion of a hurricane. The wind speed, wind direction, cloud cover and air pressure are provided for each station using standard weather symbols. 5 Minute Preview
Hurricane Motion - Metric
Use data from up to three weather stations to predict the motion of a hurricane. The wind speed, wind direction, cloud cover and air pressure are provided for each station using standard weather symbols. 5 Minute Preview
SC.6.13: : Earth’s Systems
SC.6.13.5: : Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the flow of energy and cycling of matter associated with Earth’s materials and processes.
SC.6.13.5.a: : Develop a model to describe how the water cycle is driven by the sun’s energy and the force of gravity.
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. 5 Minute Preview
Correlation last revised: 12/1/2025
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.
Each STEM Case uses realtime reporting to show live student results.
Introduction to the Heatmap
STEM Cases take between 30-90 minutes for students to complete, depending on the case.
Student progress is automatically saved so that STEM Cases can be completed over multiple sessions.
Multiple grade-appropriate versions, or levels, exist for each STEM Case.
Each STEM Case level has an associated Handbook. These are interactive guides that focus on the science concepts underlying the case.
How Free Gizmos Work
Start teaching with 20-40 Free Gizmos. See the full list.
Access lesson materials for Free Gizmos including teacher guides, lesson plans, and more.
All other Gizmos are limited to a 5 Minute Preview and can only be used for 5 minutes a day.
Free Gizmos change each semester. The new collection will be available January 1 and July 1.
Find Your Solution
Start playing, exploring and learning today with a free account. Or contact us for a quote or demo.
Sign Up For Free Get a Quote