Middle School Science Lab Station Activities
This collection of labs supports the experiments in the Middle school Lab Station equipment kits and includes activities for the wireless force and acceleration, motion, light, sound, temperature, pH, weather, and carbon dioxide sensors.
Grade Level: Middle School
Subject: Earth Science • Life Science • Physical Science
Activities
01) Describing Motion
Students will use a motion sensor to investigate how position, velocity, and acceleration may all be described and quantified when explaining motion.
02) Humidity and Dew Point
Students use a weather sensor to examine the differences between absolute and relative humidity and relate those to dew point.
03) Night and Day
Students will be using different models to recreate the effects of the Sun on Earth. In Part 1, students use a simple model to examine night and day. In Part 2, students use a more accurate model to examine, predict, and describe seasons.
04) Seasons and Temperature
Students will use different models to recreate the effects of the Sun on Earth. In Part 1, students use a model to examine the equinox. In Part 2, students use a protractor to place the Earth model at a tilt and examine, predict, and describe temperature differences between seasons.
05) Thermoregulation
Students will explore the relationship between internal body temperature and the skin surface temperature of their hand under different conditions.
06) Introduction to Acids and Bases
Students will use a pH sensor to determine the pH of common household substances.
07) Photosynthesis
Guide students to measure the change in carbon dioxide (in a closed system) with a carbon dioxide sensor to facilitate an understanding of the relationship between carbon dioxide, respiration, and photosynthesis in plants.
08) Acid Rain and Weathering
Students will use a pH sensor and vinegar to model the effects of acid rain on various materials.
09) Forces and Interactions
Students will investigate the relationship between force and acceleration. Newton's first law and and second law will also be explored.
10) Waves and Energy
Students learn that sound is produced by vibrating objects, that sound travels from a source through air, solids, and liquids, and its loudness depends on the amplitude of the wave. The amplitude of the wave defines the waves energy. The frequency of the wave defines the pitch.
