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North Carolina
Adoption Information
Balancing and
Weighing
Catalog no. LF-97-1701
ISBN 0-89278-978-6
Subject:
Relationship between balance and weight
This unit introduces students to the relationship
between balance and weight. Experiences with a beam
balance introduce students to the concept that
amount of weight, position of weight, and position
of the fulcrum affect balance. Work with an
equal-arm balance challenges students to place
objects in serial order on the basis of weight and
to appreciate that weighing is the process of
balancing an object against a certain number of
standard objects. In the final lessons, students
turn to a series of problem-solving investigations
with the equal-arm balance and cupfuls of four
different foods. These activities provide an
opportunity to explore the relationship between
weight, density, and volume.
Chemical Tests
Catalog no. LF-97-2101
ISBN 0-89278-969-7
Subject:
Basic chemistry concepts
This unit introduces students to the science of
chemistry by challenging them to explore and
determine the identity of five common household
chemicals: sugar, alum, talc, baking soda, and
cornstarch. Students begin by focusing on the
physical properties of color, form, and texture.
Next, they explore chemical properties by observing
how the five powders interact with water, vinegar,
iodine, and red cabbage juice. These tests enable
them to explore phenomena such as crystallization
and to observe the processes of evaporation and
filtration. Finally, students apply their skills and
their knowledge of the five chemicals to identify a
variety of “mystery” mixtures. As a result of
conducting these investigations, students develop
scientific skills such as observing and recording
results, forming conclusions on the basis of
experience, communicating results, and applying
their knowledge to solve problems.
Electric Circuits
Catalog no. LF-97-2601
ISBN 0-89278-957-3
Subject:
Electricity and electric circuits
Students are first introduced to the basic
properties of electricity as they learn about
electric circuits and the parts of a light bulb.
Next, students learn about conductors and insulators
and about the symbols used to represent the parts of
a circuit in circuit diagrams. Students also explore
different kinds of circuits, learn about switches,
construct a flashlight, and investigate the
properties of diodes. Finally, students apply their
knowledge and skills to wire a cardboard house.
Experiments with
Plants
LF-97-3101
ISBN 0-89278-939-5
Subject:
Investigations of plant growth
Students apply the knowledge and skills they have
gained in earlier STC® life science units to
investigate some of the variables that affect plant
growth and development. The main objective of the
unit is to enable students to design and conduct a
controlled experiment. They begin by studying the
key variables that affect the life, health, and
reproduction of the Wisconsin Fast Plant® (Brassica
rapa) and how they can manipulate these variables.
Working in teams, students formulate a question
about the plant and carry out a controlled
experiment designed to answer that question. During
the ensuing weeks, they observe the plants and
record their data. Each team then shares its results
with the class. Final activities entail germinating
seeds that students have gathered from the plants
and exploring tropisms.
Floating and Sinking
Catalog no. LF-97-2501
ISBN 0-89278-942-5
Subject:
Buoyancy
In this unit, students investigate the phenomenon of
buoyancy. They begin by making a spring scale with
which they weigh various objects. They make clay
boats, test their boats’ buoyancy, and discover that
altering the shape of the boats affects buoyancy.
Students are then challenged to design a boat that
has a certain loading capacity. These experiments
allow them to witness several surprising phenomena;
for example, some “floaters” are heavier than some
“sinkers,” and large objects are not always heavier
than smaller objects. Students then turn their
attention to differences between objects placed in
fresh water and in salt water. They construct a
hydrometer that compares the levels at which objects
float in both types of water.
Land and Water
Catalog no. LF-97-2301
ISBN 0-89278-960-3
Subject:
Interactions between land and water
Students investigate the interactions between land
and water. Using a stream table as their model,
students observe how runoff causes stream formation;
how groundwater forms; how soil is eroded,
transported, and deposited; and how water shapes
land. Students create hills, build dams, and grow
vegetation. Miniature valleys, waterfalls, and
canyons form in the stream tables as water flows
over the soil. Students also deepen their
appreciation for the vastness of stream systems by
creating aerial diagrams of their stream table
results. The stream table also serves as a basis for
investigations of the water cycle. Through observing
the model, manipulating certain parts of it, and
testing interactions under various conditions,
students discover how water changes the shape of
land and how land formations, in turn, affect the
flow of water. They connect the models to real-world
examples and apply the concepts they have learned to
photographs of land and water on earth. Through
these applications, students are encouraged to
observe land and water each day and search for
evidence of interactions between land and water in
the world around them.
Magnets and Motors
Catalog no. LF-97-3401
ISBN 0-89278-933-6
Subject:
Electromagnetism
This unit, which builds on the knowledge that
students gained in the STC® Electric Circuits unit,
offers students the opportunity to explore the
properties of magnets and the magnetic properties of
electric currents. The unit includes information on
the historical development of scientists’
understanding of the use of magnetism, electricity,
and electromagnetism. Students begin by studying
magnets and making a compass. They then investigate
the relationship between magnetism and electricity,
as they explore the characteristics of switches and
circuits. Finally, students experiment with three
different motors. Applying their learning and
experience, they dismantle, experiment with, and
reassemble a manufactured motor.
Measuring Time
Catalog no. LF-97-3201
ISBN 0-89278-936-0
Subject:
Exploring and investigating time
In the first part of this unit, students explore the
use of natural phenomena, such as the phases of the
moon, to keep time. In the second section, students
conduct experiments using some of the instruments
that have been used to keep time throughout the
centuries. They build and experiment with a water
clock and investigate the characteristics of the
pendulum. Finally, they apply what they have learned
to assemble and evaluate a clock escapement and
modify the device in order to make it more accurate.
The unit provides students with an opportunity to
learn how to measure time, to investigate machines,
to explore concepts such as energy and motion, and
to learn about the science of astronomy.
Microworlds
Catalog no. LF-97-2701
ISBN 0-89278-951-4
Subject:
Introduction to lenses, microscopes, and
microorganisms
Students examine everyday objects as well as
microorganisms with a variety of magnifying devices.
They begin by investigating several common objects
with the unaided eye. Using a variety of lenses,
including hand lenses, acrylic spheres, and water
drops, they learn that a magnifying lens must be
transparent and curved. Next, students use a
microscope to view inanimate objects. They learn
proper focusing and lighting techniques, as well as
how to prepare slides. Students prepare a section of
onion skin and observe its cells. Students’
attention then turns to living specimens. Using a
microscope, they view three microorganisms—Volvox,
Blepharisma, and the vinegar eel. They study the
cell structure of these organisms and observe how
the organisms feed, grow, and multiply. In a final
challenge, students use the microscope to examine
cultures they have grown from hay and grass
infusions.
The Technology of
Paper
Catalog no. LF-97-3301
ISBN 0-89278-930-1
Subject:
Paper and papermaking
In this unit students explore the properties of
paper, make paper by hand, and understand how the
properties of paper relate to how it is used. By
testing six types of paper for smoothness,
tear-resistance, opacity, water-resistance, and ink
receptivity, students deepen their understanding of
the relationship between the properties of a certain
type of paper and its intended uses. Students read
about industrial papermaking and explore hand
papermaking. Using the class hand-papermaking
process, students investigate the role of additives
and of embedding and embossing in the creating of
paper with a variety of properties. In a final
activity, students apply their learning and
experience to work through a four-step technological
design process as they create their own
recycled-paper product.
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