You can make experiments the most fun and engaging part of your science class. Experienced educators and curriculum specialists have developed each of these lessons, and we have tested them in real classrooms. PocketLab middle school lessons span across all the Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) disciplines. Browse all the middle school lessons below or use the filters to search for specific content.
Middle School Science
What is temperature?
Exploration
What does it mean to change temperature? What is temperature? We know what it means to be hot or cold, but what does it mean when you measure the temperature of an item?
Objective
In this experiment, students will:
1. Understand how the temperature of the water is related to the movement (kinetic energy) of the water molecules.
2. Use observations to describe the principle of thermal expansion.
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Take a hike!
Exploration
As a hiker changes elevation during a hike, the atmospheric pressure will change. The air pressure at sea level, is vastly different than the air pressure at the top of a mountain. In some regions, it can be even be difficult for people who are not from that region to breathe, because they are not used to the changes in altitude. Using PocketLab, determine the relationship between elevation and air pressure.
Objective
Measuring Weight Using PocketLab
Exploration
Barometric pressure is the pressure from the force or weight of air exerted on a surface. The PocketLab’s barometric pressure sensor measures the force of the air molecules that push against the sensor.
Objective
In this exploration, students will:
1. Use the barometer to measure the weight of different objects.
2. Observe how pressure (force) inside a plastic bag is affected when weight is added to the plastic bag.
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Use Ratios and Proportions with PocketLab
Exploration
Barometric pressure is the pressure from the force or weight of air exerted on a surface. The PocketLab’s barometric pressure sensor measures the force of the air molecules that push against the sensor
Objective
In this investigation students will:
1. Design a system that uses PocketLab’s barometer and an understanding of ratios and proportions to build a scale.
2. Use the given supplies to find the weight of unknown objects.
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Measuring Pressure Change from Chemical Reaction
Exploration
After a change occurs, if the molecules of the chemicals involved do not change, it is only a physical change. Ice melting to water is an example of this. A change has occurred, but the H2 0 as ice, remains H2 0 as water. If however the molecules of the chemicals involved do change to form new chemicals, then a chemical change has occurred.
Pressure and Volume with a Syringe and Flask
Exploration
Explore air pressure, temperature, and volume and how they work together. In a syringe sealed to an Erlenmeyer flask , when the syringe’s plunger moves back and forth, the volume of air in the syringe and f ask changes. Will the pressure also change if the temperature of the air sealed in the syringe and f ask changes? A PocketLab can be placed inside the Erlenmeyer f ask to measure the change in pressure as the the volume and temperature change.
Objective
PocketLab Bungee Jumper
Exploration
A bungee jumper leaps from a tall structure and falls toward the ground. The bungee cord begins to stretch and transfers the kinetic energy of the fall into elastic potential energy, slowing the jumper to a stop.The cord then pulls him/her back up as the elastic potential energy turns back into kinetic energy. The jumper then oscillates up and down until their energy is completely dissipated.
Objective
Simple Pendulum Motion
Exploration
A simple pendulum consists of a mass, m, hanging from a string of length, L, and fixed at a pivot point, P. When displaced from equilibrium and to an initial angle (amplitude, θ) and released, the motion will be regular and repeat. This is an example of periodic motion.
Objective
Magnetic Minesweeper
Exploration
In the Magnetic Minesweeper Lab, you will recreate the classic computer game Minesweeper in real life! Using PocketLab’s magnetometer, you will try to discover hidden mines and mark their locations on a grid. You can do this lab with two people to create a Minesweeper competition. One partner hides mines in different grid locations while the other partner tries to locate the mines to not get blown up!
Objective
How does distance affect the strength of a magnetic field?
NGSS Alignment: MS-PS2-3
The disciplinary core idea behind this standard is PS2.B: Types of Interactions. It specifically looks at electric and magnetic forces and how they can be attractive or repulsive, and how the size of the force can depend on the magnitudes of the charges, currents, or magnetic strengths involved. The strength can also depend on the distances between the interacting forces.