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Grades 3-5

Dive-Into-Worlds-Within-the-Sea

Activity

Dive Into Worlds Within the Sea

Which squirmy little creatures does the spiny lobster eat? Can you spot the weird greenish glow on the belly of the cookie-cutter shark? Show off your good thinking with a game of good linking.

What-s-the-Big-Idea-About-Astronomy

Article

What's the Big Idea About Astronomy?

Huge distances, gigantic sizes, and long periods of time—astronomy is a BIG subject. We've brought learning about it down to size with this look at the big ideas you need to know. 

What-Do-You-Know-about-Astronomy

Activity

What Do You Know about Astronomy?

How much do you really know about our place in space? Test your astronomy knowledge with this interactive quiz. Don't worry, there's no grading—just a helpful look at the answers when you're done! 

Mint-Your-Own-Coin

Activity

Mint Your Own Coin

That change jangling in your pocket is more than money—it's a record of where and when you live. Find out why coins are valuable clues for archaeologists. Then, design your perfect coin. 

just add water 2_thumb

Activity

Just Add Water!

Give your class a tour of the diverse landscape of your own undersea realm!

Crazy-Camouflage

Activity

Crazy Camouflage

Unlike humans, some animals can instantly change the color or pattern of their skin. Take a hands-on look at how the masters of disguise known as flounders can don several different looks.

They-Glow

Video

They Glow!

Most of the deep sea is very dark, with little or no sunlight. But that doesn't mean marine animals are in the dark! Learn how these clever creatures create their own light.

make-a-scale-drawin

Classroom Activity

Make a Scale Drawing

It’s time to excavate the contents of your desk—that is, after you first create a scale drawing of the site. Explore how precise mapping helps archaeologists keep track of their finds.

making-mosaics-thumb

Classroom Activity

Making Mosaics

Vivid mosaics of stone and glass cubes—some enhanced with precious gold leaf—once gleamed from the floor, walls, and ceiling of the Petra Church. Learn how to make your own colorful masterpiece.

just add water_thumb

Activity

That's Heavy!

This "heavy" experiment allows students to discover that salt water sinks in fresh water.