The following kits may be checked out by using the Science Kit Order Form through Media Services’ website (Go to www.stvrain.k12.co.us/staff, then type ‘staff’ for both username and password, choose ‘DMS/WebMax’, and click on the beaker icon. You may need to enter ‘staff’ again). These MESA kits are available only for those in the MESA Program. Please note that these kits are not part of the Science-to-Go collection and will not be restocked when they are returned. If you use consumable materials from the kit, please replace them before returning the kit. If you need further assistance, call Media Services at x7747.
ME-0030 Dissecting Microscope and Camera Attachment
This microscope and camera system may be connected to a computer or TV monitor so that many students may view the images.
SK0024 Butterflies and Wisconsin Fast Plant Kit
Note that this kit will be scheduled through the Science to Go Center because it involves ordering live organisms. Please refer to the ordering information inside the kit. The Wisconsin Fast Plant and Brassica Butterfly project; watch cabbage white butterflies complete their life cycle on WFP.
ME-0031 Mystery Festival Kit- Grades 2-8 (GEMS) 10 sessions or 5 per mystery.
This kit contains 2 mysteries one for young students and the other for older students making it ideal for K- 8 programs since 2 or more grades can share the same kit. Students become detectives as they learn to observe, conduct crime lab tests, analyze results, and apply their knowledge to solve the mystery. Crime lab tests include thread tests, powder tests, DNA, chromatography and more.
ME-0001 Hide a Butterfly- Grades PK-K (GEMS) 3 sessions but may be combined with the Brassica Butterfly/Wisconsin Fast Plant Kit SK0024.
Students learn the basic concepts of protective coloration as they identify parts of a butterfly and a flower, make butterflies, flowers, and grass for a mural and then discuss small animals they've seen in grass or flowers.
ME-0002 Ladybugs- Grades PK-K-1 (GEMS) 5 activities.
Children learn about the ladybug's anatomy, life cycle, behavior, and favorite foods. Each child uses a magnifying "bug box" to observe live ladybugs. Math is an integral part of this unit. Return coupon for live bugs at least 2 weeks prior to requested delivery date to insure prompt arrival of animals.
ME-0003 Investigating Animals and Their Needs (2 Parts)- Grade 1(Kendall Hunt's BSCS T.R.A.C.S)
During the course of this module, the students explore the characteristics of guppies, snails, and aquatic plants in classroom aquaria. By observing those organisms in their environment, the students learn about what organisms need to survive. They recognize that the structures of the organisms serve specific functions that enable them to survive in their environments. Then, they extend their understanding of organisms' needs and ability to survive in their environments by investigating the characteristics and behaviors of gerbils and isopods. They recognize that an animal's behavior and structures enable it to meet its needs and that animals can survive only in environments in which they can meet their needs.
ME-0007 Comparing and Measuring- Grade 1 (STC-Carolina Biological)
Students explore the concepts that underlie the science skills of comparing and measuring. The lessons are based on a developmental sequence that includes three activities: comparing, matching, and measuring. Initially, students compare lengths by matching measuring tape to their own heights and the lengths of their arms and legs. They make the transition from matching to measuring length by quantifying nonstandard units of measure (in this case, their own feet) and discover that using nonstandard units of measure produces varied results. Finally, students use standard units of measure, such as Unifix® cubes and measuring strips, to measure height, width, and distance. In so doing, students begin to understand key measuring concepts, such as using beginning and ending points, a common starting line, and standard units of measure.
ME-0005 Sound- Grade 3 (STC-Carolina Biological)
Students use tuning forks, slide whistles, strings, and other sound-producing objects to investigate the characteristics of sound. Students learn that sound is caused by vibrations, and they explore how sound travels. They learn about the relationship of pitch and volume to the frequency and amplitude of vibrations. They discover, for example, that they can alter pitch by varying the length or tension of a string. Constructing simple stringed instruments, they discover how they can increase the volume of the sound produced by the strings. Students investigate the characteristics of another common sound-producing mechanism—the human vocal cords—and build model vocal cords. They also learn about the anatomy and functioning of the human ear. They apply what they learn in the unit by designing and building musical instruments or other sound-producing devices.
ME-0007 Investigating Animals and Their Needs (2 Parts)- Grades 1-2 (BSCS-TRACS- Kendall Hunt')
Students explore the characteristics of guppies, snails, and aquatic plants in classroom aquaria. By observing those organisms in their environment, the students learn about what organisms need to survive. They recognize that the structures of the organisms serve specific functions that enable them to survive in their environments. Then, they extend their understanding of organisms' needs and ability to survive in their environments by investigating the characteristics and behaviors of gerbils and isopods. They recognize that an animal's behavior and structures enable it to meet its needs and that animals can survive only in environments in which they can meet their needs.
ME-0008 Investigating Weather- Grades 1-2 (BSCS-TRACS- Kendall Hunt')
Students begin this module by using their senses to observe and describe the weather around them. From their sensory observations, students identify patterns, such as seasonal changes, and general weather conditions. Because sensory data usually are not accurate, students use tools, such as thermometers, rain gauges, and wind speed indicators, to describe weather conditions accurately. Teams of students use the tools to collect data of changes in the weather over time and then use their data to describe and compare changes in the weather from day to day.
ME-0009 Involving Dissolving- Grades 1-3 (GEMS) 4 activities.
Students learn about the concepts of dissolving, evaporation, and crystallization by using familiar substances to create homemade gelatin, colorful disks, and crystals that emerge on black paper to make a starry night.
ME-0010 Treasure Boxes- Grades K-3 (GEMS) 6 activities.
Most kids have a box or another container where they keep the small treasures of childhood safe from the prying eyes of siblings and inquisitive parents, This kit is a collection of activities centered on these small treasures, The activities marry math, literature, and cooperative learning in a captivating format for young students.
ME-0011 Sifting Through Science- Grades K-2 (GEMS) 4 activities.
Students explore buoyancy, magnetism, and the use of tools as they investigate the physical properties of objects. They use learning situations that allow for open-ended explorations to solve a design challenge. Each activity leads student to a greater knowledge of these properties. The final activity challenges students to solve an interesting problem: how to separate the various components of simulated garbage. To solve the problem, students must apply the knowledge gained in the previous activities.
ME-0012 Secret Formulas- Grades 1-3 (GEMS) 9 Sessions
In these compelling physical science activities, children investigate the properties of substances as they make their own personal brands of paste, toothpaste, cola, and ice cream. Like Involving Dissolving and Liquid Explorations, the unit provides real-life experiences with chemistry and conveys key science/math skills and concepts, including cause and effect.
ME-0013 Liquid Explorations- (2 Parts) Grades 1-3 (GEMS) 5 activities.
Students learn principles of physical science as they use these materials. They observe and experiment with various liquids, compare, classify, record observations, and then draw conclusions. Secret Formulas (GEMS)
ME-0014 On Sandy Shores- (2 Parts) Grades 2-4 (GEMS) 5 activities.
Introduce students to seashore ecology with this stimulating kit. It includes everything needed to demonstrate the intricate connections between biology and ecology found at the seashore. The activities encourage students to form a sense of stewardship for their world and the living things that inhabit it.
ME-0015 Habitats- (2 Parts) Grades 2-3 (Insights-Kendall Hunt)
Students examine their own basic needs and the needs of other living things around them. They explore the school building and neighborhood to determine how these areas meet their own needs. They then study some of the small creatures they find on the school grounds and the physical factors that affect these creatures' habitats.
ME-0016 Growing Things- (2 Parts) Grades 2-3 (Insights- Kendall Hunt')
This module starts with a tour of the school's neighborhood, giving students a chance to observe the variety of plants growing around them. Then, as students grow their own plants, they observe the development of germinating seeds, measure and record growth and change, and design and conduct simple experiments to explore the factors that affect plant growth.
ME-0017 Micro Worlds- Grades 2-5 (Insights- Kendall Hunt)
This is an old kit and I can't find a description at this time, however; it deals with microscope activities and uses small micro projectors. Slide sets are included. Real microscopes may be ordered from the STG Center.
ME-0032 Designing Mixtures- Grades 2-3 (Seeds of Science Roots of Reading)
This 10 week unit focuses on chemistry and the study of chemical properties. Students experiment with making paste, and other everyday substances used around the house. This unit integrates reading, writing, and science. It comes with a series of non-fiction literature sets.
ME-0018 Mysterious Powder- Grade 4-5 (Insights-Kendall Hunt)
A simulated environmental problem is the focus for practicing scientific inquiry skills and for exploring the properties of certain substances. The problem is the mysterious appearance of a coating of white powder around the schoolyard. Students are challenged to identify the powder and its origin. They learn that systematic gathering, organizing, and analyzing of information are ways of coming to understand events in the natural world.
ME-0019 Environmental Detectives (2 Parts) Grade 5 (GEMS- Carolina Biological)
This learning module uses the mystery "hook," to engage students in exploring a range of crucial environmental issues. In this case, the "crime" is a mysterious environmental calamity fish die-off that began five years ago. The scene of the crime is the "Gray Area," a watershed that includes forests, a city, a town, a coast, three rivers, a lake, and a pond. Student sleuths investigate the many potential causes of the fish dying, including chlorine pollution, acid rain, erosion and sediment pollution, predator-prey relationships, phosphate pollution and algal blooms, and oil pollution. Environmental Detectives provides students the opportunity to grapple with a complex, interdisciplinary scientific problem. They hear statements of various "suspects" in the crime. They study and discuss reference materials, including records, newspaper articles, charts, graphs, and even "secret documents," and integrate all of this information with their own test results. Placing science learning in a real-world context, Environmental Detectives conveys solid scientific content and research-related inquiry skills. Students become aware of the interconnectedness of the natural world and the complexity of many environmental problems. They discover that science and society are inextricably linked, and that most solutions require compromise.
ME-0020 Vitamin C Testing- (2 Parts) Grades 4-5 (GEMS-Carolina Biological) 4 sessions.
Teach students some basic chemical techniques and consumer savvy at the same time. Students use titration, comparison, data collection, calculation, and graphing to evaluate the vitamin C content of different juices. Then they compile their data and relate graphs to present their results. Additional units include how environments, storage, and temperature affect vitamin content and show how to determine the nutritional value of some popular beverages.
ME-0021 Moons of Jupiter- Grades 4-8 (GEMS) 5 activities.
This kit includes images that students analyze and stunning overheads that students use to relive Galileo's ground-breaking study of Jupiter's moons. After they view the overheads, students perform activities that explore crater formation, scale, modeling, and the Jupiter system as seen through the eyes of the Voyager unmanned probe. For cooperative learning, student work in groups that form scientific settlements on one of Jupiter's moons.
ME-0022 Crime Lab Chemistry- Grades 4-8 (GEMS) 2 sessions.
Students become crime lab chemists who try to determine which black pen was used to write a ransom note. Using paper towels, black ink, and water students learn about paper chromatography.
.ME-0023 Reading the Environment (2 Parts) Grades 4-5 (Kendall Hunt- Insights)
Change is all around us. In this module, students explore changes in the environment. Starting with their immediate surroundings, they ask three questions: “What was it like before?”, “What changes have happened?” and “What changes will occur in the future?” They then look more closely at the processes of weathering and erosion and at rocks and fossils.
ME-0024 Landforms (2 Parts) Grades 4-5 (FOSS)
The Landforms module illustrates how forces of nature shape the earth's surface. Students practice the science of cartography, making maps of their schoolyard and creating topographic maps of Mt. Shasta and areas of this country.
ME-0025 Hot Water and Warm Homes from Sunlight- (GEMS) Grades 4–8
5 Sessions In this environmental unit, students build model houses and hot-water heaters to focus on solar power. They determine how windows can affect heat, and conduct controlled experiments. Connects well to Global Warming & the Greenhouse Effect
Hands-On Optics Kits
Includes Teacher's Guides and equipment. Each unit may take 4 to 6 weeks.
ME-0026 Hands-On Optics - Laser Challenges (2 copies)
ME-0027 Hands-On Optics - Magnificent Magnifiers (2 copies)
ME-0028 Hands-On Optics - Kaleidoscope Adventures (2 copies)
ME-0029 Colorado Energy Science Kits (11 copies)
This kit contains a Teacher's guide and materials to conduct energy conservation activities.