The Age 10-12 - Semester 1 - Science Kit provides specialized materials for hands-on investigations in units Our Changing Earth, Weather and Climate, and Force and Motion. These activities help children test how erosion changes land, measure trapped heat, build and improve bridges, and compare how forces affect moving and falling objects.

Engage Your Child with a Hands-on Science Curriculum

This kit includes over 45 materials used in experiments throughout the semester. Here are a few examples your child will complete.

• Investigate What Affects Erosion: Your child designs an erosion test by changing one condition, such as soil type, moisture, or plant cover. Comparing the results shows how wind, water, gravity, and plants can affect the movement of sediment.
• Explore How Ground and Design Affect Earthquake Damage: Your child builds sugar-cube structures on clay, sand, and soil, then simulates an earthquake by tapping the surface. Recording when each structure fails demonstrates how ground material and building design can affect earthquake damage.
• Test How Trapped Heat Changes Temperature: Your child places one thermometer inside a closed jar and another outside in sunlight, then compares the temperatures. The measured difference models how trapped heat can raise temperature in the greenhouse effect.
• Discover How Bridge Design Affects Strength: Your child builds an index-card bridge, tests how many coins it can hold, then changes the design and tests it again. Comparing the results shows how engineers use design to manage forces and strengthen structures.
• Explore How Air Resistance Slows Falling Objects: Your child builds two parachutes, predicts which will fall more slowly, and compares their descent. The results show that greater surface area creates more air resistance and can slow a falling object.

A Complete Hands-On Science Experience

Hands-on science can require families to gather specialized supplies for different investigations. This kit provides materials used throughout the semester’s activities, reducing preparation and helping parents focus on guiding experiments, measurements, comparisons, and scientific conclusions.

The following items are included in this kit. This list is subject to change.

• "Weather Words" booklet
• black construction paper
• compass
• drinking straws
• food coloring
• glass jar
• matches
• plastic sandwich bag
• plastic water bottle with cap
• push pin
• rubber band
• shoelace
• small cups
• string
• thermometers
• 2 sealable plastic bags
• blue food coloring
• charcoal briquettes
• clay
• eye dropper
• gravel
• Rock Cycle chart
• Rock Science Kit
• sand
• Slinky or Slinky Jr.
• soil
• three 12-ounce paper cups
• white glue
• 250-mL beaker
• binder clips
• craft stick
• dried beans
• dynamometer
• index cards
• long dowels
• marble magnet
• marble set
• nail
• neodymium magnet
• paper clip
• paper cup
• pulleys
• scientist cards
• screw
• short dowels
• small plastic bag
• spools