ROCK IDENTIFICATION
This activity allows students to identify rocks from actual specimens using a simplified key to the igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic forms. Students will gain an understanding of the Rock Cycle with specimens to exemplify each stage of the cycle. Highlights will also include geologic background specific to regions of our state and identification of the rocks common to our area. This activity is generally used as a prelude to the geology field trip(see below). |
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MINERAL IDENTIFICATION
Minerals have many significant uses and applications in everyday life. This session gives students the simple tools for assessing mineral properties and allows them to perform tests on a number of common mineral types in order to determine what they are. Students are encouraged to work in small groups developing a data table and are coached through the process. |
VIOLENT WEATHER
Explore the destructiveness of Mother Nature's fury as students watch videos of floods, tornadoes and hurricanes. Students will produce their own tornado model and learn how these high speed vortices occur. In addition simulations of cloud formation and lightning propagation will be demonstrated. |
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WIND VANES & WEATHER WHEELS
The changing weather in New England allows much for us to observe and contemplate. The phenomenon of air movement will be the focus of this interesting lesson. Children will use their creative talents to design and build a wind indicator vane. They will learn to predict the weather based upon which way the wind blows and use a simple "weather wheel" for this process. |
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THERMOBAROMETERS
Students will learn the principles of atmospheric pressure as it relates to the current weather. In this activity the children will build their own thermobarometers and study the effects of temperature and pressure on a can full of air. This fun and informative lesson gives students a concrete understanding of scientific phenomena and measurement. (Each child needs to provide a clean 10 ounce soup can.) |
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SUNDIALS
This classic interdisciplinary activity weaves history, culture, and astronomy with observation and critical thinking to allow students to discover the oldest known method of timekeeping. Each student will build a simple sundial, then use it outdoors (weather permitting) to tell the time of day. On cloudy days, the passage of time may be simulated in the classroom so students will see their sundials at work. |
NIGHTTIME OBSERVING(Grades 4 and up)
After several classes with the Science Center at your school, how about wrapping up your unit on Astronomy with a nighttime visit to the Science Center for a night of observing the heavens? Explore the wonders of the night sky through many telescopes. Observe planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae. This class will also use the Captain Alan Bean Hypospherium, Connecticut's largest planetarium to familiarize everyone with the night sky. Since this class is weather dependent, a rain/cloud date should be considered. |
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PHASES OF THE MOON(Grades 3 and up)
Why does the Moon cycle through its monthly phases? How does it move around the Earth? This class will introduce you to the motions of the Moon through the celestial sphere, as well as the phases seen from the Earth. Students will also model the Earth-Moon-Sun system to demonstrate the phases as well as lunar and solar eclipses, and the distance that the Moon is from the Earth. |
POND LIFE
A thriving New England pond awaits examination by your students. Using nets and strainers, students will be able to collect a large variety of both plants and animals, from the microscopic to "the big enough to be scary." After returning to the Science Center or your classroom, the students will use hand lenses, microscopes, and our TMSC Pondlife Guide to identify and observe the organisms collected. |
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DISSECTION SERIES
Students will dissect preserved specimens and study the evolutionary history, external and internal anatomical features, tissues, organs and systems, with emphasis on the interrelationships of animal and plant life. |