Matter Matters
A Classrooms Unleashed Program
for Second Grade Students
In this program, students become engineers, working collaboratively to explore properties of matter and applying their understanding to build a successful bridge. They will discover the relationship between the properties of different types of solid matter and their uses. In addition to a field trip to the World of Wonders Science Museum and exploring the engineering lab, this program includes in-classroom lessons.
All of our lessons are backward designed from Next Generation Science Standards for second grade. In addition to the Sierra Nevada Journeys-led lessons, classroom teachers will be provided with 3-4 easy-to-use learning experiences to reinforce concepts and vocabulary, as well as pre- and post-assessments.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
classroom lesson: WHAT’S THE MATTER? CHANGING MATTER, and BUILDING BRIDGES
Your engineers will learn about the engineering design process and begin using it to solve a real-world problem. They practice making observations and classifying different types of solid matter based on their observable characteristics or properties. Then, the engineers apply their understanding of physical properties to determine the properties that would make a good bridge.
Students investigate how certain properties of solid matter can change as you change the matter itself. They apply their understanding by using folded paper and working in pairs to build their first model bridge.
Additionally, students work collaboratively in groups to design paper bridges using their understanding of the physical properties of matter and building on their experiences with the strength of different shapes. They engage in the engineering design process to plan, build, test, improve, and then re-test their bridges to see what shape can hold the most weight.
second Classroom Lesson (Nv):
Nevada students participate in a second classroom lesson where they build upon their understanding of engineering design by participating in a hands-on bridge-building challenge with spaghetti and marshmallows. They will apply their knowledge of using matter shapes and structures to design and construct a bridge.
Field trip (CA):
California students travel to a museum. They work in teams during a museum lab to build a structure out of spaghetti and marshmallows, and journey on a scavenger hunt to explore hands-on science investigations throughout the museum.
TEACHER INFORMATION
NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS
2-PS1-2: Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.
2-PS1-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to describe the properties of various materials (I.e., flexibility, rigidity, permeability, opacity, magnetism, electrical conductivity) and how those properties affect their uses.
California programs brought to you in partnership with:
