One-Hour Programs

Jr. Space Colony-Walking on the Moon!
SOL 3.8, 3.11, 4.7
Students will model the difference between rotation and revolution to discover why there are
phases of the moon and why the same side of the moon always faces the Earth. Students will
discover why the moon has longer periods of light and darkness than the Earth. Comparing and contrasting surface conditions of the moon and Earth, students will identify the actions required to sustain life in a lunar colony. Students will identify energy sources that can be used to support a lunar colony.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the IMAX films Magnificent Desolation: Walking on
the Moon 3D, Destiny in Space, Space Station 3D, the demonstration Space Freeze II and with the new Space Quest: Exploring the Moon, Mars & Beyond gallery.

Living Planet
SOL Science 3.1, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9, 3.10, 4.1, 4.4, 4.5 Social Studies 3.5, US I.2
Using a terrarium, students will study a closed environment and observe the water cycle in action. They will identify the producers and consumers in a food chain and how energy is transferred. By exploring various habitats and where they are found in the world, they will learn about the
interdependency of plants and animals. Students will discover how animals adapt to survive and why photosynthesis is so crucial to life.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the IMAX film Blue Planet.

Under the Weather
SOL 3.9b, 4.6
Using an appropriately-sized barbell weight, students will be introduced to standard atmospheric pressure, and they will observe the indications on a barometer to determine pending changes in the weather. Students will collect weather data representing different climates and will identify those readings with the actual pattern of weather or climate represented. Using a model, students will observe the water cycle.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the IMAX film Stormchasers.
Ask about our special Wacky Weather Days with 13 News!

Scream Machines
SOL: 3.1a,c,j, 4.1a,b, 4.2a,c,d, 5.1h
Students will explore the science concepts engineers apply in building fantastic roller coasters. They will investigate the inertia and force concepts at work in our everyday lives. Students will be introduced to force, motion, and energy through interactive demonstrations featuring gravity, potential and kinetic energy and friction. They work in collaborative teams to design and model a simulated roller coaster ride, and then use the scientific method to improve the performance of their designs.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the IMAX film Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun, the demonstration Master Machines and the new traveling exhibit Football (September 28, 2007 - January 1, 2008)).

Shake, Rattle n’ Roll
SOL: Science 4.1, 5.1, 5.7; Social Studies VS.1, VS.2
Students will use real seismic data and satellite images (using the Magic Planet) to understand how plate tectonics create earthquakes and volcanoes. They will discuss the major types of plate boundaries and use the rock cycle to compare and contrast the origins of igneous,
sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Students will study the major features of the ocean, and their relationships to the motions of the plates.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the IMAX film Ring of Fire.

Mad Scientist
SOL: Science 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.4 Math 3.14, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 5.11
Students will use the scientific method to perform real experiments. They will conduct preliminary observations and form hypotheses about the materials on which they will experiment. Students will test their ideas with experiments to determine the state of matter of unknown substances, and measure weight, volume, temperature and dimensions. They will perform experiments that combine one or two states of matter which will result in a new state of matter. They will prove that using just their senses is not an adequate method for obtaining results: scientific equipment is needed. They will graph data to show conclusions. They will collect data through observations and use scientific reasoning to draw a conclusion.

30-Minute Demonstrations

Master Machines
SOL 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1
Students will be introduced to the six simple machines (levers, pulleys, screws, wheels and axles, inclined planes and wedges) and how they can be combined to make complex machines. They will study ordinary tools and vehicles to find out which simple machines they contain. Students will use a simple machine to apply a force and move an object.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the IMAX film Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun, and the program Scream Machines.

Candy, Candy Everywhere- NEW!
SOL: Science 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.4, 5.1, 5.4
History 3.5; Health 3.1, 4.1
What is candy? How do you know if candy tastes good? Learn about where the taste buds are on some animals. Where does sugar come from? Students will identify different types of candy using a classification key. They will learn the properties of sugar when they see how cotton candy is made, and see how sugar gives us energy. Students will find out what happens to their teeth when they drink soda and eat candy!
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the traveling exhibit
Candy Unwrapped (February 4 -May 4, 2008)

Bring On The Noise
SOL- 5.1, 5.2
Students will listen to (and even see) sound waves pass through different materials. They will experiment with sound waves and explore how to change their
frequency and wavelength. Students will make predictions and observe how the pitch of a sound changes with different musical instruments. Students will learn how to transform other forms of energy into acoustic energy, and how we use sound every day.

 

LIGHTen Up!
SOL 5.3
Students will name the colors of the visible spectrum of light. Using a chart, they will identify the relationship between wavelength and color. By observing how the path of a laser beam is altered experimentally by a mirror, a prism and while passing through water, students will discover the principles of reflection and refraction. Students will learn whether an object is transparent, translucent or opaque by observing whether or not light and image passes through the object.

Magic of Electricity
SOL 4.3
Modeling an atom, students will learn about insulators and conductors by observing the flow of electrons between atoms. Using an energy ball, students will learn about open and closed circuits. By experimentally removing bulbs from series and parallel circuits, students will differentiate between the circuits. To study static electricity, students will observe how a Van de Graaff generator delivers electrical charge to develop an electrostatic force, and how such force attracts or repels objects.

Space Voyager
SOL 3.1c, j, 4.2, 4.7d
Students will discover the challenges we face in our quests as space voyagers. They will see what happens to marshmallows and balloons in a vacuum and discover what happens to motion and movement in microgravity. Students will understand what makes up outer space and how earthlings can live and work in this new frontier.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the program Jr. Space Colony. Plan to visit the new Space Quest: Exploring the Moon, Mars & Beyond gallery.

Space Freeze II: Cryogenics
(check with education department as an outreach)
Science SOL: 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.4
Students will learn that two different elements which comprise the largest components of the Earth's atmosphere are gases at normal ambient temperature. They will learn that matter changes state as temperature decreases or increases. Students will predict and observe the results as air-filled balloons are submerged in a container of liquid nitrogen. They will learn the temperature for nitrogen phase change between liquid and gaseous states using both Fahrenheit and Celsius scales.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the new Space Quest: Exploring the Moon, Mars & Beyond gallery.

Sports in SpaceNEW!
SOL: Science 4.2b,c, Phys. Ed. 3.2, 4.2b
Could you play your favorite sport in outer space? The students will begin to answer this question as they learn how the conditions in outer space could help or hinder athletes as well as their equipment. They will be surprised to see the type of basketball they would need and how far they could jump. They will also see the effects of forces on body movement and objects by participating in motion experiments. Using this information, students will then decide whether the sports we know could be played in space or if they could be changed to fit the conditions of space.
Scheduling Tip:Goes well with the traveling exhibit Football! The Exhibit (September 28, 2007 – January 1, 2008).

Mysteries of Flight
SOL 3.1, 3.2, 3.11, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.4
Students will identify simple machines which compose complex machines, like airplanes. Students will discover how aircraft use energy to overcome the force of gravity and how they are made to adjust from the effect of heat from friction. They will learn about all the forces and principles of flight and how aircraft are similar to natural flying machines like birds and bats.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the IMAX films Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag, Straight Up! Helicopters in Action and Magic of Flight and a tour of the Adventures in Flight gallery.

Virginia Naturally
SOL Science 3.7, 4.8
Students will examine Virginia's wide variety of natural resources and their impact on our everyday lives. They will be introduced to how the waterways, minerals, soils, and renewable resources, like forests, shape the way we live and work in Virginia. Students will learn how everyone can help prevent pollution and help conserve our ecosystems by recycling our natural resources.
Scheduling Tip: Goes well with the program Living Planet and the IMAX film Blue Planet .

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