Strand D: Everyday Materials, Objects, and Structures

Will it slide or stick? Students conduct a fair test to investigate how different solid surfaces affect the movement of an object on a ramp.

Are you willing to give up a sweet treat for the sake of science? Can you engineer a strong and stable structure out of something soft and fluffy?

Make and test a model paddle boat and learn about potential and kinetic energy.

It’s not easy to dive deep underwater. How do divers get down deep? Learn how scuba divers manipulate density to move up and down in this hands on activity.

Become a pro at washing dishes! Learn how the chemical structure of detergent makes it perfect for attracting grease and grime.

Try your hand at building a “super coaster” using materials around your home.

Can you think like an engineer? Try to solve a tricky size and shape problem in this activity.

Use a pop bottle and other everyday materials to create a rocket that you can launch outdoors.

Students identify and sort objects, including fasteners, according to material and purpose.

Students will learn about the human impacts on bee populations as they design, test, build and observe a structure for solitary bees.

Students work collaboratively to design and build a floating device.

Students work collaboratively to design and build a boot tread that will use friction to prevent slipping on an incline.

Students will design and build a model apartment building and learn how buildings such as these can be a solution for suburban sprawl.

13 images of some buildings from around the world including where they are located such as the Taj Mahal in Agra, India

10 images of buildings in various stages of construction, some equipment being used and some people who work on construction sites