Mars Colony
SOL: 6.6g, 6.8i, 6.9b, LS.4, LS.12e, ES.4c, ES.7

Students learn to identify, compare and contrast conditions and needs on the red planet and Earth. Acting as long duration explorers, students work in cooperative teams to plan for their outpost's survival. Consideration must be given to meeting social structure needs, power supply, physical demands for food, water and warmth, as well as exploration. Students plan for use of on site resources and necessary accompanying equipment and supplies.

Spaceship Earth
Science SOL - 6.8 d, e, f, g, h, ES.4

Students will understand the unique characteristics of the Earth and why life exists here. They will model and describe day and night, and how the Earth’s tilt causes the seasons. The students will model and observe why and how the phases of the moon occur, and discuss the relationship between the moon’s gravitational pull and the cycle of the tides. Students will gather information to be used in school to create and interpret a timeline highlighting advancements in space exploration over the past half century.

Scheduling Tip! Goes well with the IMAX films Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D, Blue Planet, SolarMax, Destiny in Space, Space Station 3D and Hubble 3D, the demonstration Energy U and the traveling exhibit Alien Earths (Oct. 23, 2009 – Jan. 3, 2010).

Kitchen Chemistry (for grades 6-8 only)
SOL: 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, PS.1, PS.2, PS.4, PS.5

Students will describe matter and identify chemical elements from the periodic table. Students will distinguish between physical and chemical reactions, and will identify the chemicals contained in simple compounds. Working in groups, students will analyze many different compounds and perform scientific experiments to determine the identity of the unknowns. Logical and critical reasoning, accurate lab technique, precise results and conclusion reporting are a large part of this lab.

Space Freeze III: A Cryogenics Demo
SOL: 6.1, PS.2, PS.7

Students will predict and observe physical changes (volume) as the state of matter changes when temperature is decreased or increased, with related changes in molecular motion. They will learn the temperature for nitrogen phase change between liquid and gaseous states, and that this physical property is characteristic for nitrogen. Students will compare and contrast the boiling point of nitrogen on the Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales.

Zap: Electrons on the Move
SOL: 6.2, PS.6, PS.11

Students will observe and identify the transformation of electrical energy into other forms of energy, including heat, light and mechanical (including sound). Students will compare and contrast series and parallel circuits. The Van de Graaff generator will be used to show students how electrostatic charges will be generated, and how such force attracts or repels objects. Additionally, they will discover how a generator transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Mysteries of Flight
SOL: 6.6b, PH.4a, b, PH.7

Students will explore the Wright Brothers' contribution to aeronautics, and are given an outline of the diverse history of human efforts to conquer the air. Applying the concepts of Newton's laws of motion and Bernoulli's conclusions about fluid pressures, the operation of aircraft are explained. They will use basic applications of aerodynamics, wing design, and aircraft construction to understand the forces that affect flight.

Virginia's Waterworld
SOL: 6.7, ES.9

Can you locate your watershed on a topographic map? How important is it to have clean water for humans and the environment? Learn how the Earth actually helps us filter our water to recycle it. Decide how humans can help the natural processes around us protect our environment. Find out how everyone “lives downstream” & what you can do every day to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Scheduling Tip! Goes well with the IMAX films Blue Planet,
Dolphins & Whales 3D and Sharks 3D.

Energy U
SOL: 6.2, PS.6

Students will compare and contrast potential and kinetic energy through demonstrations and from examples taken from nature. Using ramps and balls, students will conduct experiments to convert potential energy into kinetic energy. Students will also compare and contrast transfers of the same form of energy between objects, and transformation of energy into new forms. Observing common tools and equipment, students will identify the energy transformations that take place, including the transformation of light into other forms of energy.