You can make experiments the most fun and engaging part of your science class. Experienced educators and curriculum specialists have developed each of these lessons, and we have tested them in real classrooms. PocketLab middle school lessons span across all the Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) disciplines. Browse all the middle school lessons below or use the filters to search for specific content.
Middle School Science
Is Global Warming FAKE NEWS? Creating a Bottle Ecosystem
Can you devise an experiment to see whether increased CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere contributes to warming? We found a teacher who tweeted exactly what you need! @MontessoriMicky shared with us his lesson plan on a Bottle Ecosystem and had his class run an experiment using PocketLab to measure the heat absorption of a glass bottle filled with CO2 vs normal air as a control.
PocketLab Voyager: The Inverse Square Law of Light--Quick and Easy
Virtually every student of physics has done an experiment to verify the inverse square law of light—light intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source of the light. With PocketLab Voyager this is a quick and easy experiment that is also a lot of fun to perform!
PocketLab Voyager: How to Discover an Exoplanet
Over the past twenty years, scientists have discovered hundreds of what are known as exoplanets—planets that orbit stars outside of our own solar system. Different groups of scientists worldwide have used a variety of methods to detect these planets. In this lesson we will investigate a method that has been quite fruitful in finding exoplanets as a result of the Kepler Mission, launched by NASA in 2009. Another similar mission is CoRoT, led by the French Space Agency. These missions identify exoplanets by a method called transit, in which the b
PocketLab on an Oscillating Cart
An oscillating cart with a PocketLab provides an interesting way to study Newton's Second Law of Motion as well as some principles of damped harmonic motion. The apparatus setup is shown in the figure below. The small dynamics cart that can quickly be made from parts included in the PocketLab Maker Kit is shown in its equilibrium position. Rubber bands are attached to each side of the cart and to two ring stands weighted down with some heavy books. It is best to use rubber bands that provide as small Newton/meter as possible. PocketLab is attached to the cart with its x-axis parallel t
Arms of a Spinning Figure Skater
Exploration
When a figure skater spins he/she uses the positioning of his/her arms to control the speed of the spin/ angular velocity. The angular momentum of the skater is always conserved, no matter the positioning of the arms, and can be represented by the equation L = Iw, where L is angular momentum, I is moment of inertia and w is angular velocity. The moment of inertia is an object’s resistance to change in angular velocity and is related to the distribution of the object’s mass.
Objective
Angular Rotation Game
Exploration
Angular velocity is the rate of rotation of an object along a specific axes. For example, the blades of a ceiling fan rotate around the fan’s central axis. Angular velocity is often measured in the number of degrees the object rotates every second (°/sec) or the number of complete revolutions every minute (RPM). The PocketLab’s gyroscope measures the angular velocity of the PocketLab about the x-, y-, and z-axis.
Objective
Intro to Angular Velocity
Exploration
We have previously learned that velocity is an object’s rate of change in displacement. Velocity is often measured as meters/second. Angular velocity however, measures the rate of change in the displacement of an object as it moves around a central point.
Pressure and Volume with a Syringe
Investigating Pressure and Volume with a Syringe
Exploration
Explore air pressure and how it works. In a sealed syringe, as the plunger moves back and forth, the volume of air in the syringe changes. With a large enough syringe, a PocketLab can be placed inside to measure the change in pressure as the volume changes.
Ceiling Fan in Winter
Exploration
When it is cold outside, it is often thought that fans aren’t needed. However, it may be that a fan can bring warm air near the ceiling down to floor level, increasing comfort without raising the thermostat. Energy could therefore be saved.
Objective
In this experiment, students will:
1) Determine how a ceiling fan affects the temperature in a room, both near the floor and near the ceiling.
Download PDF for complete lab activity
Saving Energy with Curtains
Exploration
Does closing blinds or curtains save energy? Often the blinds or curtains in a room are left open when it is cold outside, even when no one is using the room. Would closing them save energy?
Objective
In this experiment, students will:
1. Determine how to use curtains to save energy when it is cold outside.
Download PDF for complete lab activity