Schools & GroupsEducational StandardsGrades K-2
NGSS & Common Core Projects:
Grades K-2
Build creative confidence and technical literacy, while meeting state and national academic standards. Every activity kit includes illustrated instructions, age-appropriate readings, and kid-led discoveries. Projects can also be extended to enrich any NGSS or Common Core lesson plan.
Pinball Machine
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Solar System
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Kaleidoscope Play
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Basketball Catapult
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Fun with Flight
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Mechanical Sweeper
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Capillary Action
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Astronaut Starter Kit
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Veterinarian Starter Kit
See standards ➜Pinball Machine
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NGSS
3-PS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
Activity Applications
Construct a pinball machine to demonstrate how an object’s motion changes when it collides with another object.
Conduct experiments to investigate how an unbalanced force on one side of a ball causes it to start moving, but forces that are perfectly balanced will cause the ball to stay still.
Common Core
RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
RI.3.3 Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
Activity Applications
Make connections between push and pull forces and gameplay on the pinball machine.
RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
RI.3.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
Activity Applications
Ask questions and use context clues to learn new vocabulary related to motion and engineering design.
RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.
RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
RI.3.5 Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.
Activity Applications
Use bold print, tip text, headings, and icons to locate key information in the explore! Magazine and Inspiration Sheet.
RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
Activity Applications
Examine information given in both illustrations and text and identify how they support each other.
RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
RI.3.7 Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
Activity Applications
Refer to illustrations and diagrams to describe scientific concepts.
Solar System
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NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
Activity Applications
Build a mobile, complete with a light-up sun, to study the solar system.
Design a scale model of the solar system — on your neighborhood sidewalk — to explore the sizes and distances between planets.
Common Core
RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
RI.3.3 Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
Activity Applications
Make connections between push and pull forces and gameplay on the pinball machine.
RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
RI.3.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
Activity Applications
Ask questions and use context clues to learn new vocabulary related to motion and engineering design.
RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.
RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
RI.3.5 Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.
Activity Applications
Use bold print, tip text, headings, and icons to locate key information in the explore! Magazine and Inspiration Sheet.
RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
Activity Applications
Examine information given in both illustrations and text and identify how they support each other.
RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
RI.3.7 Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
Activity Applications
Refer to illustrations and diagrams to describe scientific concepts.
Kaleidoscope Play
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NGSS
1-PS4-3 Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.
Activity Applications
Construct a kaleidoscope that allows light to pass through a translucent wheel and reflect off mirrors.
2-PS1-3 Make observations to construct an evidence-based account of how an object made of a small set of pieces can be disassembled and made into a new object.
Activity Applications
Combine foam shapes into larger shapes and patterns, as well as mimic visual puzzles in an angled mirror.
Common Core
RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
RI.3.3 Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
Activity Applications
Identify symmetry and patterns in different objects, as well as describe connections between the steps in technical instructions.
RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
RI.3.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
Activity Applications
Ask questions and use context clues to learn new vocabulary related to motion and engineering design.
RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.
RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
RI.3.5 Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.
Activity Applications
Use bold print, tip text, headings, and icons to locate key information in the explore! Magazine and Inspiration Sheet.
RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
Activity Applications
Examine information given in both illustrations and text and identify how they support each other.
RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
RI.3.7 Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
Activity Applications
Refer to illustrations and diagrams to describe scientific concepts.
Basketball Catapult
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NGSS
K-PS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
Activity Applications
Push down on the catapult’s lever to apply an equal force to the ball and launch it.
Adjust the catapult’s angle and compare how different angles change the ball’s motion.
K-PS2-2 Analyze data to determine if a design solution works as intended to change the speed or direction of an object with a push or a pull.
Activity Applications
Test different launch angles to score at different hoop heights and distances. Evaluate successes and failures and adjust the launch angle accordingly.
Common Core
RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
RI.3.3 Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
Activity Applications
Describe how the catapult’s launch angle affects the arc of the ball, as well as identify connections between steps in the technical instructions.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
Activity Applications
Ask questions and use context clues to learn new vocabulary related to physics and motion.
RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.
RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
Activity Applications
Use bold print, tip text, headings, and icons to locate key information in the Inspiration Sheet.
RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
Activity Applications
Examine information given in both illustrations and text and identify how they support each other.
RI.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts).
RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
Activity Applications
Refer to illustrations and diagrams to describe scientific concepts.
Fun with Flight
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NGSS
K-2-ETS1-2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
Activity Applications
Build a stomp rocket and kite to learn about the science of flight. Adjust the rocket fins and kite tail to test how shape affects the flight path.
Make a helicopter, straw flyer, and airplane out of paper. Explore how their unique shapes cause them to fly differently.
Common Core
RI.K.3 With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
Activity Applications
Compare how rockets, planes, and other aircraft fly.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
Activity Applications
Ask questions and use context clues to learn domain-specific vocabulary related to flight and aerodynamics.
RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.
RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
Activity Applications
Use bold print, tip text, headings, and icons to locate key information in the Explore! Magazine and Inspiration Sheet.
RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
Activity Applications
Examine information given in both illustrations and text and identify how they support each other.
RI.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts).
RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
Activity Applications
Refer to illustrations and diagrams to describe scientific concepts.
Mechanical Sweeper
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NGSS
1-LS1-1 Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.
Activity Applications
Build a whale-inspired device that picks up small objects. Just as some whales have baleen (broom-like plates) to catch food, the mechanical sweeper has tabs that catch a pom-pom and sweep it up.
Common Core
RI.K.3 With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
Activity Applications
Compare different types of whales and describe how baleen helps some of them survive.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
Activity Applications
Ask questions and use context clues to learn domain-specific vocabulary related to whales and marine biology.
RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.
RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
Activity Applications
Use bold print, tip text, headings, and icons to locate key information in the Explore! Magazine and Inspiration Sheet.
RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
Activity Applications
Examine information given in both illustrations and text and identify how they support each other.
RI.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts).
RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
Activity Applications
Refer to illustrations and diagrams to describe scientific concepts.
Capillary Action
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NGSS
K-LS1-1 Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Activity Applications
Experiment with capillary action and learn how plants use it to get water and nutrients from their roots to their leaves.
Play a tilting tree game and explore the role of natural disasters.
Common Core
RI.K.3 With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
Activity Applications
Make connections between capillary-action experiments (like using food coloring to dye flowers) and how trees rely on capillary action to survive.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
Activity Applications
Ask questions and use context clues to learn domain-specific vocabulary related to capillary action and plant life.
RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.
RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
Activity Applications
Use bold print, tip text, headings, and icons to locate key information in the Explore! Magazine and Inspiration Sheet.
RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
Activity Applications
Examine information given in both illustrations and text and identify how they support each other.
RI.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts).
RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
Activity Applications
Refer to illustrations and diagrams to describe scientific concepts.
Astronaut Starter Kit
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NGSS
1-ESS1-1 Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
Activity Applications
Build a solar system mobile to explore how planets orbit the Sun in a predictable pattern.
Common Core
RI.K.3 With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
Activity Applications
Identify relationships between planets in the solar system, including how big they are and what they look like.
Describe milestones in space travel and what it’s like being an astronaut.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
Activity Applications
Ask questions and use context clues to learn domain-specific vocabulary related to space travel, solar system, and scientific exploration.
RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.
RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
Activity Applications
Use bold print, tip text, headings, and icons to locate key information in the Astronaut’s Guide, poster, and instructions.
RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
Activity Applications
Examine information given in both illustrations and text and identify how they support each other.
RI.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts).
RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
Activity Applications
Refer to illustrations and diagrams to describe scientific concepts.
Veterinarian Starter Kit
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NGSS
2-LS4-1 Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Activity Applications
Build an X-ray lightbox to explore animal anatomy. Compare and contrast animal systems to human systems.
Common Core
RI.K.3 With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
Activity Applications
Draw connections between animal body language, behaviors, and symptoms.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
Activity Applications
Ask questions and use context clues to learn domain-specific vocabulary related to veterinarians, animal anatomy, and biology.
RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.
RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
Activity Applications
Use bold print, tip text, headings, and icons to locate key information in the Veterinarian’s Guide, poster, and instructions.
RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
Activity Applications
Examine information given in both illustrations and text and identify how they support each other.
RI.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts).
RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
Activity Applications
Refer to illustrations and diagrams to describe scientific concepts.
