Grade 7 Science Activities by Quarter

1st Quarter – Scientific Investigation & Biology (Living Things & Their Environment)

Focus: Characteristics of life, levels of organization, ecological relationships, scientific method

Activities:

1. “Living or Non-Living?” Sorting Game

o Sort real objects or photos into living/non-living based on criteria.
o Goal: Understand characteristics of life.
o Materials: Pictures, real items (leaves, stones, etc.)
2. Microscope Lab (Cell Observation)
o View onion skin and cheek cells under a microscope.
o Goal: Differentiate plant and animal cells.
3. Food Web Puzzle
o Assemble a food web using flashcards with organisms.
o Goal: Visualize ecological relationships.
4. “Ecosystem in a Bottle” Mini Terrarium
o Build a simple closed ecosystem using plants and soil in bottles.
o Goal: Understand biotic/abiotic interaction.

2nd Quarter – Earth and Space (Earth’s Structure and Processes)

Focus: Layers of the Earth, volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonic.

Activities:

1. Clay Earth Model

o Create a cross-sectional model showing crust, mantle, core.
o Goal: Describe Earth’s internal layers.
2. Volcano Simulation (Baking Soda & Vinegar)
o Simulate volcanic eruption and label types of volcanoes.
o Goal: Understand volcanic processes.
3. Seismic Waves with Slinky
o Demonstrate P and S waves using a slinky or rope.
o Goal: Differentiate seismic wave types.
4. Plate Tectonics Puzzle
o Cut and move paper plates representing Earth's crust.
o Goal: Explain continental drift and boundaries.

3rd Quarter – Physics (Motion, Force, and Energy)

Focus: Motion, speed, force, Newton’s laws

Activities:

1. Speed Lab (Toy Car or Ball Rolling)

o Measure time and distance to calculate speed.
o Goal: Apply speed = distance/time formula.
2. Force & Friction Experiment
o Test how surfaces affect motion of objects.
o Goal: Observe effects of friction.
3. Newton’s Laws Skit or Roleplay
o Act out everyday scenarios (e.g., pushing a cart) for each law.
o Goal: Explain Newton’s 3 laws in real life.
 4. Balloon Rocket Race
o Use a balloon and string to show action-reaction.
o Goal: Demonstrate 3rd Law of Motion.

4th Quarter – Chemistry (Properties and Changes of Matter)

Focus: Properties of matter, states of matter, elements and compounds

Activities:

1. Mystery Substances (Physical Properties Lab)

o Compare unknown substances based on color, texture, solubility.
o Goal: Identify substances using physical properties.
2. Changes in Matter
o Ice melting, paper burning, dissolving salt in water.
o Goal: Differentiate physical and chemical changes.
3. Periodic Table Puzzle
o Arrange elements with clues (metal/non-metal, period, group).
o Goal: Familiarize with the periodic table.
4. Make Slime or Oobleck (Non-Newtonian Fluid)
o Mix cornstarch and water.
o Goal: Investigate properties of matter.

Culminating Activities:

 Science Fair (Individual/Group Projects)

 STEM Challenge Day (Bridge building, Egg drop, etc.)
 Science Exhibit or Open House
 Fieldwork or Virtual Lab Tours
Grade 8 Science Activities by Quarter
1st Quarter – Force, Motion, and Energy

Focus: Laws of motion, work, power, energy transformation

Activities:

1. Motion Tracker Lab (Graphing Speed/Acceleration)

o Measure distance vs. time using toy cars or rolling balls
o Goal: Graph motion and identify speed/acceleration
2. Newton’s Laws Experiment
o Use a balloon rocket or tug-of-war to illustrate laws
o Goal: Demonstrate and explain each law
3. Work and Power Race
o Calculate how much work and power students exert when climbing stairs
o Goal: Apply formulas for work and power in real-life context
4. Energy Conversion Station Lab
o Rotate through stations showing mechanical, heat, light, chemical energy
conversions (e.g., battery powering light)
o Goal: Identify and explain energy transformations
o

2nd Quarter – Earth and Space: Rocks, Minerals, and Earthquakes

Focus: Types of rocks, rock cycle, faults, earthquakes

Activities:

1. Rock and Mineral Identification Lab

o Test hardness, streak, luster of different samples
o Goal: Classify rocks and minerals by properties
2. Rock Cycle Game
o Use roleplay or dice-based activity to simulate how rocks change over time
o Goal: Explain processes of the rock cycle
3. Fault Model Using Clay or Sponges
o Simulate strike-slip, normal, reverse faults
o Goal: Visualize fault movement
4. Earthquake Drill & Seismograph Model
o Build a basic seismograph using a hanging pen
o Goal: Understand how earthquakes are recorded and measured

3rd Quarter – Matter (Atoms, Elements, Compounds)

Focus: Atomic structure, periodic table, chemical bonding

Activities:

1. Atomic Model Crafting (Bohr Model)

o Use beads, clay, or paper to model atoms of selected elements
o Goal: Visualize structure of atoms
2. Periodic Table Bingo or Scavenger Hunt
o Use games to locate and identify element families
o Goal: Familiarize with periodic table layout
3. Ionic & Covalent Bonding Simulation
o Roleplay bonding with labeled cards or magnets (electrons/atoms)
 Goal: Show differences between ionic and covalent bonds
o
4. Build-a-Compound Activity
o Combine chemical symbols to make formulas (e.g., Na + Cl = NaCl)
o Goal: Write and interpret chemical formulas

4th Quarter – Living Things and Their Environment: Reproduction

Focus: Asexual & sexual reproduction, human reproductive system

Activities:

1. Plant Reproduction Lab

o Propagate plants through cuttings or observe germination
o Goal: Understand asexual reproduction in plants
2. Meiosis vs. Mitosis Comic Strip
o Students illustrate and explain the differences
o Goal: Compare processes of cell division
3. Human Reproductive System Puzzle or Labeling Activity
o Use diagrams to identify and explain organ functions
o Goal: Recognize parts and roles in reproduction
4. Reproductive Health Roleplay / Poster-Making
o Create scenarios or posters promoting reproductive health
o Goal: Promote awareness of health and responsible behavior

Culminating Activities:

 Science Investigatory Project or Fair

 Interdisciplinary Science-Art Integration (e.g., science infographics)
 Virtual Museum or Field Trip (Geology, Biology)
 Quiz Bowl or Science Relay
Grade 9 Science Activities by Quarter

1st Quarter – Matter: Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding

Focus: Atomic models, electron configuration, types of bonds

Activities:

1. Bohr Model Drawing

o Students draw atoms of selected elements showing protons, neutrons, and
electrons
o Goal: Visualize atomic structure and electron arrangement
2. Electron Configuration Challenge
o Use colored beads or chips to represent electrons in shells
o Goal: Apply rules of electron configuration
3. Bonding Roleplay (Ionic vs Covalent)
o Use paper atoms or real students to act out electron transfer/sharing
o Goal: Differentiate bonding types
4. Periodic Table Puzzle
o Rearrange scrambled element cards into periodic table order
o Goal: Identify periodic trends and element families

2nd Quarter – Energy: Work, Power, and Heat

Focus: Laws of energy, thermodynamics, heat transfer

Activities:

1. Work and Power Measurement Activity

o Students measure height and time as they climb stairs
o Goal: Calculate work and power using real-life data
2. Heat Transfer Experiment
o Compare how materials (metal, cloth, plastic) transfer heat
o Goal: Understand conduction, convection, radiation
3. Energy Conservation Campaign (Poster or Video)
o Students design a campaign promoting energy-saving habits
o Goal: Apply knowledge of energy conservation
4. Specific Heat Lab (Water Heating Experiment)
o Heat different liquids and measure temperature change
o Goal: Understand specific heat and thermal energy

3rd Quarter – Earth and Space: Climate, Plate Tectonics, and Natural Hazards

Focus: Climate change, greenhouse effect, tectonic activity

Activities:

1. Carbon Footprint Tracker

o Students log activities and calculate personal carbon output
o Goal: Relate lifestyle to climate change
2. Greenhouse Effect Simulation (Plastic Bottle Experiment)
o Measure temperature inside a bottle under sunlight
o Goal: Model the greenhouse effect
3. Plate Movement Model Using Foam or Clay
o Create a model of convergent, divergent, transform boundaries
 Goal: Visualize tectonic activity and fault types
o
4. Earthquake Drill and Preparedness Planning
o Conduct a school safety drill and design emergency kits
o Goal: Prepare for geologic hazards

4th Quarter – Living Things: Respiratory & Circulatory Systems

Focus: Structure and function of the circulatory and respiratory systems, homeostasis

Activities:

1. Body Systems Puzzle or Matching Cards

o Match organs with functions and system type
o Goal: Identify parts of respiratory and circulatory systems
2. Lung Capacity Test (Balloon Experiment)
o Measure air volume by blowing balloons
o Goal: Observe lung function and variation
3. Heart Rate Lab (Before/After Exercise)
o Monitor pulse rate under different conditions
o Goal: Analyze circulatory response to activity
4. Poster: Disease Prevention (e.g., Tuberculosis or Hypertension)
o Students create educational visuals on health risks
o Goal: Promote health awareness

Culminating Activities:

 Science Investigatory Project (SIP) Presentation

 STEM Innovation Fair
 Group Science Musical or Roleplay (Body systems, atoms, or climate issues)
 Virtual or Actual Science Field Trips (Science Museum, research center

Grade 10 Science Activities by Quarter

1st Quarter – Chemistry: The Atom and the Periodic Table

Focus: Atomic structure, periodic trends, chemical reactions

Activities:

1. Periodic Table Puzzle Race

o Rearrange cut-up element cards into correct periodic table positions
o Goal: Identify groups, periods, metals, non-metals
2. Chemical Reaction Lab (Safe Reactions)
o Vinegar + baking soda, or copper + silver nitrate (demo)
o Goal: Identify evidence of chemical changes
3. Atomic Model Diorama
o Construct 3D models using balls, paper, or software
o Goal: Illustrate structure of atoms, ions, isotopes
4. Balancing Equations Card Game
o Use cards with elements and compounds to practice balancing
o Goal: Develop equation balancing skills

2nd Quarter – Earth and Space: The Universe and Solar System

Focus: Formation theories, stars, galaxies, solar system evolution

Activities:

1. Timeline of the Universe (Creative Poster/Infographic)

o Illustrate Big Bang, galaxy formation, and solar system development
o Goal: Sequence major cosmic events
2. Stellar Life Cycle Comic Strip
o Create comic showing stages from protostar to black hole
o Goal: Understand star formation and death
3. Build-a-Galaxy Model
o Use cotton, paint, to model elliptical, spiral, irregular galaxies
o Goal: Differentiate types of galaxies
4. Meteorite Impact Simulation (Flour and Marbles)
o Simulate craters using marbles dropped into flour
o Goal: Understand celestial impacts

3rd Quarter – Physics: Motion and Energy

Focus: Work, energy, laws of motion, electromagnetism

Activities:

1. Roller Coaster STEM Project

o Use foam tubing or cardboard to make marble roller coasters
o Goal: Demonstrate potential and kinetic energy
2. Ohm’s Law Circuit Lab
o Use resistors, batteries, and multimeters (or virtual circuit builders)
o Goal: Apply V = IR formula
3. Electromagnet Activity (Nail + Wire + Battery)
o Build a simple electromagnet and test strength
o Goal: Show electromagnetic field effects
 4. Energy Consumption Audit (Home or School)
o Analyze appliances for wattage and usage
o Goal: Promote energy conservation

4th Quarter – Biology: Heredity and Evolution

Focus: Inheritance, Punnett squares, evolution, biodiversity

Activities:

1. Punnett Square Family Traits Activity

o Predict offspring traits using coins or dice
o Goal: Apply Mendelian inheritance
2. DNA Model Crafting
o Use beads, straws, colored paper to build DNA double helix
o Goal: Understand DNA structure and pairing
3. Natural Selection Simulation (Colored Paper & Markers)
o "Hunt" different colored prey on various backgrounds
o Goal: Model survival advantage over generations
4. Biodiversity Field Survey
o Observe and record species in a school garden or local area
o Goal: Analyze species richness and threats

Year-End Culminating Tasks:

 Capstone Investigatory Project (Group or Individual)

 STEM Exhibition or Symposium
 Science Career Infographic (Research Task)
 School Science Quiz Bowl / Team Relay