Labs

Labs are hands-on interactive workshops designed to motivate groups to ask questions, solve problems and explore science concepts. Led by Science Central's trained staff, they are a great introduction or follow-up to a particular topic of study. 

Pricing

Basic Labs

Bear's Shadow Play

Grades K - 2

Students will use a model sun to explore the fleeting nature of shadows! By linking a story about Moonbear's Shadow by Frank Asch to their own investigations, students will learn how shadows are made and learn to predict shadow properties based on where the sun is located in the sky.

Science Standards: K.ESS.2 (with pre/post discussion), 1.ESS.1, SEPS.1, SEPS.2, SEPS.3, SEPS.6, SEPS.8

Electricity in a Snap

Grades 3 - 6

Convert energy from one form to another as we make a light shine, a motor whirl and a speaker sing in series and in parallel. Great in conjunction with either the Electrical Extravaganza or Shocking Science Demonstration.

Science Standards: 3-5.E.3, 4.PS.4, 4.PS.5

Engineering, The Process

Grades 1 - 6

This engaging lab’s focus is the engineering design process! Students will define a design problem, plan and construct a solution, test their idea, and communicate their findings with an exciting hands-on activity.

Science Standards: K-2.E.1, K-2.E.2, K-2.E.3, SEPS.1-SEPS.8

Magnificent Machines

Grades 3 - 5

Students will be able to experiment and describe the performances of five different simple machines – a lever, an inclined plane, a pulley, a double pulley, and a wheel and axle – for moving a load.

Science Standards: 3.PS.2, 4.PS.3

Moon Phases

Grades K - 6

Ever wonder what a "Blue Moon" or "First Quarter Moon" means? Students will discover the answers and more as they become part of the solar system and learn about the Moon and its phases.

Science Standards: K.ESS.2, 1.ESS.1, 4.ESS.1, and 6.ESS.2

Newton Cars

Grades 3 - 7

Students test a slingshot-like device that throws a mass causing a car to move in the opposite direction. The Newton car provides an excellent tool for experiencing process skills and investigating Isaac Newton’s Second Law of Motion.

Science Standards: 4.PS.4, 6.PS.3, 7.PS.4, 7.PS.5, 7.PS.6, 7.PS.7, SEPS.1-SEPS.8

Rock Detective

Grades 2 - 5

To help solve a mystery, budding geologists will use geology tests and a dichotomous key to examine, identify and categorize rocks. Observation, classification, investigation, inference and communication are reinforced during this lab.

Science Standards: 2.PS.1 and 3.ESS.3 

Science of Sports

Grades 4 - 6

Students will have some understanding of center of gravity, depth perception, action/reaction, air capacity, electrolytes and evaporation and how these concepts relate to sports.

Science Standards: 5.LS.3, SEPS.1-8

Slimeology

Grades K - 5

Is it a solid or a liquid? Students will love mixing up slime while investigating the properties of matter.

Science Standards: 1.PS.1, 2.PS.1, 2.PS.2, SEPS.1, SEPS.3

Sound Science

Grades 1 - 3

Students will observe and describe how sound is produced by vibrations and investigate how the loudness and pitch of sound changes when the rate of vibrations changes.

Science Standards: 1.PS.3, 3.PS.3, and 3.PS.4

Extended Labs

DNA Lab

Grades 4 - 8

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is a molecule that stores genetic information and contains the blueprint for a particular organism. Students will learn about the scientific uses of extracted DNA and extract their own DNA to take with them!

Science Standards: 8.LS.6

Dissection Labs

Dissecting Earthworms

Grades 4 - 8

We see these slippery segmented worms in our yards and gardens, but students will really get up-close and internal in this dissection lab! Students work in groups to investigate, classify and dissect their earthworms while discussing their adaptations for surviving and reproducing in their environments.

Science Standards: 4.LS.2, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.2, 5.LS.3, 6.LS.3, SEPS.1, SEPS.2, SEPS.3

Dissecting Frogs

Grades 4 - 8

Frogs are vertebrates and present body systems similar to our own. Students work in groups to investigate, classify and dissect their frogs while discussing their adaptations for surviving and reproducing in their environments.

Science Standards: 4.LS.2, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.2, 5.LS.3, 6.LS.3, SEPS.1, SEPS.2, SEPS.3

Dissecting Owl Pellets

Grades 2 - 8

What comes up is as interesting as what was swallowed! In this dissection lab, we will discover what’s for dinner when you are eating with owls.

Science Standards: 2.LS.1, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.3, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.2, 6.LS.3, SEPS.1, SEPS.2, SEPS.3

Dissecting Sharks

Grades 4 - 8

Sharks are vertebrates and present body systems similar to our own. Students work in groups to investigate, classify and dissect their vertebrate while discussing their adaptations for surviving and reproducing in their environments.

Science Standards: 4.LS.2, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.2, 5.LS.3, 6.LS.3, SEPS.1, SEPS.2, SEPS.3