How Can We Change Solids And Liquids?
How Can We Change Solids and Liquids? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is designed to address a bundle of grade 2 engineering and physical science standards. In this module, students:
- Construct an explanation for how an artist made a sculpture from marine debris.
- Use observations to describe patterns of behavior in solids and liquids.
- Construct an explanation about what happens to crayon wax when heated and cooled.
- Design a solution for changing melted crayons into crayons they can use.
- Compare a variety of materials to make a prediction about which ones will make the best filling for a boo-boo pack.
- Analyze data from tests of their selected boo-boo pack materials to determine if they work as intended after being frozen.
Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.
Family Letter
Download PDF
Before starting How Can We Change Solids and Liquids? share the Family Letter with students’ caregivers. Indicate how they should submit responses to the letter.
Ada Asks Introduction (2:25 minutes)
Ada introduces students to the phenomenon of an artist building a sculpture from marine debris. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
Washed Ashore
https://www.washedashore.org/
Lessons 1 and 2 feature a sculpture that is part of Artula and the Washed Ashore Project with Angela Haseltine Pozzi as Founder. Learn more about the Washed Ashore project.
Ada’s Sculpture
Download the PDF
This file contains images to support student discussion and sensemaking about how the sculpture in the Ada Asks video was created.
Washed Ashore Image Gallery
https://www.washedashore.org/galleries/
Use this gallery of the huge variety of artworks created as part of the Washed Ashore project to engage and inspire your students. As an enrichment activity, encourage students to think about how they could repurpose plastic items to create a piece of art that would raise awareness about the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans.
Tami’s Tower
https://ssec.si.edu/tamis-tower
In this game, used in an extension activity, students have to build a tower to help Tami, the golden lion tamarin, reach the fruit. Tami’s Tower is available online and as a mobile app. It is also available in Spanish.
Melting Candle (00:29 minutes)
Download the Video
This video shows a group of candles burning.
Melting Candle Closeup (00:20 minutes)
Download the Video
This short video shows a zoomed in view of a candle burning and being blown out.
Solids and Liquids
Download the PDF
This file contains instructions for comparing the properties of solids and liquids.
Tende Time (2:49 minutes)
Download the Audio File
This audio file is a traditional Tuareg music track featuring a tende drum, clapping, and vocals.
Ada Asks Science Challenge (1:51 minutes)
Ada introduces the students to the module science challenge. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
Watch on YouTube
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