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“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.”
- Oprah Winfrey
Our STEM Curriculum
Lesson 1: What is Matter?
Who discovered matter, energy, and mass? How did we even learn to use water to measure volume? In this lesson, children explored the story of Archimedes, how salt affects density, why some things float in water and other things sink, competed to construct the most water resistant tin-foil boat, and made home-made lava lamps.
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Lesson 2: More on Matter
Matter is all around us, and it comes in different forms. Besides mass, volume, and density, we will learn about other properties of matter such as buoyancy, color, luster, flexibility, texture and hardness. Knowing about properties, we will be able to tell the difference between real gold and fool's gold. In addition, we will study melting point, boiling point and magnetism.
November 2023
Water Molecule-protons, neutrons and electrons
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Lesson 3: States of Matter
There are three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. But what about a hybrid of two (an amorphous solid)? In this lesson, the children learned how matter turns from one state to another, what a melting point is and how salt affects it, experimented with characteristics of water, compared the states of matter to human activities, and did various experiments to find how gas travels and expands.
States of Matter
Warm breath reacting on a cool surface
States of Matter
Blowing balloons to experiment with gas!
States of Matter
Properties of water!
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Lesson 4: Our World's Building Blocks
To the human eye, we see an object, but if we keep zooming in closer and closer, we realize that everything is made up of atoms, the smallest building blocks of life. So what's the difference between an atom and an element, and why does it matter how elements react to each other? Through elephant toothpaste, modeling candy atoms, finding everyday items that are made from elements from the periodic table, and building structures from legos, the children learned how complex and wonderful ordinary substances are.
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Lesson 5: Compound Chemistry
Compound chemistry crystals are fascinating structures. These crystals are formed when atoms and molecules come together in a specific pattern. With some simple experiments and hands-on activities, we explore the world of crystals. Let's examine them under the magnifying glass, read about the story of Wilson Bentley, cut beautiful snowflakes, and make fun bouncy balls!
World's Building Blocks
Story of "Snowflake" Bentley
World's Building Blocks
Salt and sugar crystals
World's Building Blocks
Experimenting at Los Robles home!
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Lesson 6: Polymers Everywhere
Polymers are long chains of molecules that are found in many everyday materials, like plastic and rubber. Did you know that you can make your own polymer by skewering balloons? And have you ever seen what happens when you put acetone on a styrofoam cup? It actually melts the cup! These are just a few fun experiments that can teach children about the properties of polymers.
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Story of "Snowflake" Bentley
World's Building Blocks
Experimenting at Los Robles home!
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Lesson 7: The Solar System
Let's explore the wonders of the solar system! The solar system is made up of the sun and all the that orbit around it, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets To make a model system using balloons, you can start by inflating different sized balloons to represent the sun and the planets. Then, you can use string or wire to hang the balloons in the correct order and distance from the sun. Have fun creating your own mini universe!
Lesson 8: Learn about pH
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of chemistry! Discover the fascinating concepts of acids and bases and how to test the pH of a substance using litmus paper. Explore the difference between chemical and physical reactions and witness the explosive reaction when you add Mentos to Diet Coke! Measure the temperature change when you soak steel wool in vinegar and be amazed by the results. And don't forget to try growing crystals using alum - it's a mesmerizing experience you won't want to miss!
Lesson 9: Mixtures
In this lesson, we'll be taking a closer look at mixtures, solutes, solvents, and solutions. We'll observe the fascinating process of polar bonds in water and salt crystals dissolving. We'll also learn about how soap works to wash away germs and dirt from our hands. We'll be conducting some fun experiments like dipping food coloring in milk, watching raisins dance in Sprite, and coloring chalk and placing it in a cup of water. So get ready to learn and have some fun!
Lesson 10: Alloys
We explore the world of alloys, learning about materials like brass, bronze, steel, and nitinol. We discover why alloys are important—how they combine the best properties of different metals to create stronger, more durable materials used in everything from tools to jewelry to medical devices. Each alloy has unique features: brass’s bright yellow color, bronze’s toughness, steel’s strength, and nitinol’s amazing ability to "remember" its shape when heated. Alloys are essential to modern life and technology!
Lesson 11 : Colloids
In this lesson on colloids, we study milk, where tiny particles are mixed in but don’t fully dissolve. We talk about homogenization, a process that makes milk smooth by breaking up fat into smaller bits. We make butter from whipped cream by shaking it up. We also see the Tyndall Effect and learn how light behaves in a colloid, making it look cloudy. The Tyndall Effect can be observed in nature, like when sunlight passes through fog or the sky looks blue because of light scattering in the atmosphere. We also discuss different ways to separate mixtures, like using filters, evaporation, magnetism, and chromatography.
Lesson 12 : Colors
This month's Project WORTHY lesson plan, in collaboration with Project Ripples, blends art and science through hands-on activities. We explore diffusion by creating Skittle rainbows, chromatography with tie-dye coffee filters, and capillary action by making colors "walk." We also learn about refraction by making water beads disappear and find out how our brain processes information with the Stroop Effect games.
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