Each of these facilitated workshops is designed to fulfill educational standards, while also providing unique learning opportunities in an exploratory environment. Teamwork is essential during these activities. Chaperones are required proportional to group size.
The Discovery Area educator materials feature activities for both before and after participating in a workshop.
For more information, contact us at 816-460-2020 or education@unionstation.org
Prehistoric Dig Site
(K–Grade 3) 15-20 students — One hour
Students use shovels, brushes and methods paleontologists use to search for and examine fossils. This activity helps students sharpen their skills of observation and analysis to better understand the prehistoric world. Students will...
• Uncover cretaceous fossils of the Western Interior Seaway
• Relate findings to knowledge of animal anatomy
• Identify creatures that lived 80 million years ago
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Download Educator Guide (PDF)
Dinoversity
(Grades 4-12) 15-24 students — Two hours
Students work as teams to construct three-dimensional skeletons of prehistoric animals including plateosaurus, stegosaurus, tyrannosaurus, and camarasaurus. Students also process information to describe how that animal lived, adapted to its environment, and what the Earth was like during that era. Students will...
• Participate in the reconstruction of a prehistoric animal skeleton
• Answer questions about these fossil animals
• Correlate the work of an actual paleontologist to the team's experience
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Download Educator Guide (PDF)
Challenger Learning Center |
Educators Check this Out!
Challenger Mission Preparation
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Click here to learn more
Micronauts
(Grades 1-4) 16-20 students — One hour — Tues-Fri
This Mini Discovery Mission takes place aboard the International Space Station! Your young scientists, engineers, and mathematicians will be engaged in a variety of hands-on experiments as they travel 230 miles above the eaths surface. In this mission, highly specialized crews cooperatively use their academic skills to solve problems and accomplish mission goals.
»
Download Educator Guide & Manifest (PDF)
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Download Pre-visit Activities (PDF)
Return to the Moon*
(Grades 5-12) 16-36 students — Two hours — Tues, Wed
Earth Year: 2015. For the first time since 1972, a crew of astronauts are returning to the moon, this time to stay. Their mission is to establish a permanent base on the moon to observe and explore, as well as test the feasibility of off-Earth settlements. Navigating their way into lunar orbit, students must construct and launch a probe, and analyze a variety of data gathered from the lunar surface to select a site for establishing the permanent moon base.
» Pre-Visit Information/Forms
» Return to the Moon Curriculum
Voyage to Mars*
(Grades 6-12) 16-36 students — Two hours — Thurs, Fri
Earth Year: 2076. Another routine voyage to Mars brings a new crew of researchers into Martian orbit. After landing on the Martian surface, the team will begin a two year mission to collect and analyze a number of planetary samples and data. This information is vital to scientists and explorers for a better understanding of the Red Planet.
» Pre-Visit Information/Forms
» Voyage to Mars Curriculum
Thinking like a Scientist
(Grades 1-3) 15-30 students — One hour — Tues, Wed
Using food as the context, students learn to use the scientific process in the kitchen. Students will...
• Observe types and traits of foods
• Describe differences in similar food products
• Predict scientific outcomes
• Test the results
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Download Educator Guide (PDF)
Science of Popcorn I
(Grades 1-3) 15-30 students — One hour — Thurs, Fri
Students experiment with how popcorn is prepared and learn some of the physical science behind how it "pops". Students will...
• Compare and contrast types of corn
• Predict results with different popcorns
• Taste the outcome
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Download Educator Guide (PDF)
Science of Popcorn II
(Grades 4-12) 15-30 students — Two hours — Thurs, Fri
While working in teams students experiment with popcorn and discover the science behind these mini-explosions. Students will...
• Experiment with variables that affect popcorn's ability to pop
• Compare and contrast types of popcorn
• Hypothesize reasons for kernels popping or not
• Test methods or products that may affect results
• Conclusions discussed with class
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Download Educator Guide (PDF)
» Download Educator Guide - Teams (PDF)
Science of Soda
(Grades 4-12) 15-30 students — Two hours — Tues, Wed
Students experiment with beverage flavor, color and fizz as they learn the chemistry behind soda pop. Teams then create marketing plans to promote their new product. Students will...
• Observe chemical reactions
• Experiment with procedures or ingredients
• Compare and contrast results with other teams
• Develop and present a marketing message
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Download Educator Guide (PDF)
» Download Educator Guide - Teams (PDF)
LEGO Robot Challenge
(Grades 5-12) 15-24 students — Two hours
In design teams of builders and programmers, students create functional robots to navigate a challenging course. Students will...
• Design and build working robots using LEGO Mindstorm™
• Program robots to carry out specific instructions
• Test the robots and modify the programs to accomplish tasks
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Download Educator Guide (PDF)
Advanced Robot Derby
*Must have completed LEGO Robot Challenge*
Work on advanced building and programming techniquest to design a robot for the LEGO Derby. Teams must meet specific design criteria, compete in a series of Derby rounds, and are awarded points in various areas of robotic performance.
KinderLab
(PreK-Grade 1) 10-12 students — 30 minutes
Beginning scientists experience the fun of science with hands-on activities using real laboratory tools and scientific vocabulary. Activities involve the students in multi-sensory learning. A Science City educator demonstrates a scientific concept, and children are encouraged to use their natural curiosity and imagination to experiment and discover. Small groups allow all children adequate experimentation.
*Teacher training required prior to scheduled visit
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