Digital elementary physical science curriculum

Within the Physical Science strand of Aha!Science, students will explore the physical properties and behaviors of light, matter, electricity, and magnets, as well as investigate Newtonian laws of forces and motion and simple machines.

Physical Science themes:

  • Physics and behavior of light
  • Newtonian laws of motion
  • Electricity and circuits
  • Magnets and magnetic fields
  • Chemical elements and periodic table
  • States and characteristics of matter

Click on a physical science unit below to learn its objectives and to view a slideshow of some of its assignments.

Energy : Grades 3 - 4 …
  • Students learn what energy is and will identify sources of energy.
  • They will investigate different forms such as light, heat, and chemical energy.
  • They will discover that forms of energy can move or change from one form to another.
Instructional Module - Energy for work Lesson - Types of Energy and Energy Use Lesson - Types of Energy and Energy Use
Lesson - Types of Energy and Energy Use Game - Power Up Poweropolis Quiz - Energy for Work
Force: Pushes and Pulls : Grades 3 - 4 …
  • Students will learn how force and motion are related.
  • They will also expore the different ways that forces affect the motion and direction of objects.
Instructional Module - Forces and Motion Instructional Module - Forces and Motion Lesson - Speed
Lesson - Speed Game - Bulls Eye Bowling Quiz - Forces and Motion
Introduction to Light : Grades 3 - 4 …
  • Students will learn about sources of light and that light travels at high speed in straight lines.
  • They will discover how light behaves when it encounters transparent and opaque materials, and how shadows are formed
Instruction Module - Light Lesson - Blocking Light Lesson - Blocking Light
Game - Shadows of The Lost Ruins Quiz - Light Quiz - Light
Matter : Grades 3 - 4 …
  • Students will learn the three states of matter and their characteristic properties.
  • All matter is made of atoms that can join together to form molecules.
  • Adding or removing thermal energy is what causes matter to change form.
  • Also, that substances can be combined to form mixtures or compounds.
Instructional Module - Forms of Matter Instructional Module - Forms of Matter Lesson - Mixtures and Compounds
Lesson - Mixtures and Compounds Game - Compound Cruiser Quiz - Atoms and Molecules
Introduction to Simple Machines : Grades 3 - 4 …
  • Students will learn about the six types of simple machines and how they transfer energy into motion.
  • They will construct and use simple machines.
  • They will also learn that complex machines consist of simple machines working together as a system.
Instructional Module - Simple Machines Instructional Module - Simple Machines Lesson - More on Simple Machines
Lesson - More on Simple Machines Game - Cider Makin' Machine Quiz - Simple Machines
Electricity : Grades 4 - 5 …
  • Students will learn about the nature of electricity, electric currents, and electromagnets.
  • They will discover how circuits work and learn about devices that affect the flow of electricity.
  • They will also learn that electrical energy can be converted to other forms of energy.
Instruction Module - Introduction to Electricity Instruction Module - Introduction to Electricity Lesson - Circuits
Lesson - Circuits Game - Copper King Quiz - Introduction to Electricity
Types of Energy : Grades 3 - 5 …
  • Students will learn to distinguish between potential energy and kinetic energy and will discover that energy can change from one form to another.
Instructional Model - Energy Instructional Model - Energy Lesson - Potential and Kinetic Energy
Lesson - Potential and Kinetic Energy Game - The Energy Balance Machine Quiz - Energy


Light Energy : Grades: 3 - 5 …
  • Students will learn that white light is composed of all colors of light and that different colors of light have different wavelengths.
  • They will discover how the behavior of light allows us to see objects and different colors.
  • They will also learn how different kinds of surfaces reflect and absorb light.
Instruction Module - Light and Color Instruction Module - Light and Color Lesson - Sight and Reflection
Lesson - Sight and Reflection Game - Light the Troupe Fantastic Quiz - Light and Color
Magnetism : Grades 4 - 5 …
  • Students will explore the properties and behaviors of magnets and magnetic fields, including the Earth and its magnetic field.
  • They will learn how a magnetic compass can be used to find directions because it aligns with Earth's magnetic North Pole and will build their own compasses.
Instruction Module - Magnets Instruction Module - Magnets Lesson - Earth is a Magnet
Lesson - Earth is a Magnet Game - Magnet Mender Quiz - Magnets
States of Matter : Grades 4 - 5 …
  • Students will learn about the defining properties of the three states of matter.
  • They will discover that different types of matter vary in their ability to transfer heat and in their densities.
Instruction Module - Properties of Matter Instruction Module - Properties of Matter Lesson - Floating and Sinking
Lesson - Floating and Sinking Game - Water Bops Quiz - Properties of Matter
Introduction to Sound : Grades 3 - 5 …
  • Students will learn how sound travels through different media.
  • They will discover how and why sounds differ and will explore ways in which sound is used by animals and humans.
Instructional Model - Sound Instructional Model - Sound Lesson - Sound Transmission
Lesson - Sound Transmission Game - Sonic Spiders Quiz - Sound
Chemistry and Matter : Grade 5 …
  • Students will learn that elements are made of one kind of atom and how elements are arranged in the Periodic Table.
  • They will also learn that elements can combine to form a compound that has properties that are different from the elements from which it is composed.
Instruction Module - Elements and Compounds Instruction Module - Elements and Compounds Lesson - Periodic Table
Lesson - Periodic Table Game - Treasure Hunt Quiz - Elements and Compounds
Energy From the Sun and Other Sources : Grade 4 - 5 …
  • Students will learn how people use solar energy and other forms of energy.
  • They will explore specific uses of solar energy to produce thermal energy and to produce electrical energy.
Instructional Module - Solar Energy: Thermal and Electric Instructional Module - Solar Energy: Thermal and Electric Lesson - Solar Electric Energy
Lesson - Solar Electric Energy Game - Going Solar Quiz - Solar Energy: Thermal and Electric
Electromagnetic Spectrum : Grade 4 - 5 …
  • Students will learn about the behavior of light.
  • They will discover that light can be reflected, refracted, and diffracted, depending on the material the light strikes.
  • They will learn that visible light is just one of the forms of light that make up the electromagnetic spectrum.
Instructional Module - The Behavior of Light Instructional Module - The Behavior of Light Lesson - Visible or Invisible
Lesson - Visible or Invisible Game - Enlightened Quiz - The Behavior of Light