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2019-20 Discovery Labs
In addition to ample time to explore the museum, field trips and group visits can include your selection of a Discovery Lab or Guided Exhibit Exploration from the list below. Click “Make Your Reservation” to choose your activity and begin the adventure!
Exploring Pushes & Pulls
Grade level(s): Preschool–Kindergarten
Nevada Academic Content Standards in Science (NGSS): K-PS2-2.
How can you launch a ball with a catapult as far as possible? In this 30-minute Guided Exhibit Exploration students will explore this question and others to help them to better determine design solutions that work to change the speed or direction of an object with a push or a pull.
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Tool Exploration
Grade level(s): Kindergarten—2nd
Nevada Academic Content Standards in Science (NGSS): K-2-ETS1-2.
In this Discovery Lab, students will explore how many tools are actually simple machines that allow us to perform a variety of tasks. This concept is the foundational understanding for motion, stability and the interaction of forces.
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Skyscraper Challenge
Grade level(s): Kindergarten—2nd
Nevada Academic Content Standards in Science (NGSS): 2-PS1-2. K-2-ETS1-2.
In this hands-on Discovery Lab, students work to design, create, test and redesign free-standing, weight-bearing towers using KEVA® wooden blocks. Students will experiment with different geometric shapes used in structural designs and determine how design choices affect the height and strength of structures.
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Skyscraper Challenge is presented in partnership with Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Classrooms Unleashed Program. Additional in-class lessons led by SNJ educators are available.
Exploring Light
Grade level(s): 1st
Nevada Academic Content Standards in Science (NGSS): K-PS2-2.
During this 30-minute Guided Exhibit Exploration, students will learn fundamental optics concepts including transparency, opacity, refracted light and shadow. They’ll also create a shadow puppet perfect for creative writing and storytelling.
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Changing Matter
Grade level(s): 2nd
Nevada Academic Content Standards in Science (NGSS): 2-PS1-4.
Common Core: W.2.8, MP.2
In this Discovery Lab, students will be asked to construct an argument using evidence that some changes caused by heating or cooling can be reversed and some cannot. Through hands-on exercises in groups and as a class, students will sort reactions based on their observations.
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My Robotic Bug
Grade level(s): 2nd
K-12 Computer Science Framework: 2nd Grade – Algorithms & Programming
Using a cute, clever and codeable Blue-Bot, students will explore the possibilities unleashed by an understanding of the language of computers in this tech-savvy Discovery Lab.
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Defying Gravity
Grade level(s): 3rd
Nevada Academic Content Standards in Science (NGSS): 3-PS2-4.
Common Core: SL.3.1
In this Discovery Lab, students work together to come up with a solution, using everyday objects, that will allow a string to float upward using concepts of magnetism.
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Measure Twice, Cut Once
Grade level(s): 3rd–5th
Common Core: SL.5.1, 3-5.NF
In this Discover Lab student knowledge of fractions will be enhanced as they practice measurements in the standard system. Students will learn to use tools and learn about tool safety. Each student will use these skills to build a key hanger they can take home. Note: 54 students maximum.
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Circuit STEAM
Grade level(s): 4th
Nevada Academic Content Standards in Science (NGSS): 4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4.
Common Core: SL.4.1
In this STEAM-inspired Discovery Lab, students use scientific design to test and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another and then apply the concept to create small light-up wire sculptures to take home.
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Cracking the Code
Grade level(s): 5th–6th
K-12 Computer Science Standards Framework: Algorithms & Program Development
Common Core: SL.5.1
This Discovery Lab allows students to engage with robotics and coding as they work through a series of team programming challenges. Students will learn that algorithms are a series of steps followed to complete a task while they work collaboratively to learn about the design and revision process to creating the best possible algorithm for their robot.
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Cracking the Code is presented in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno College of Engineering’s Mobile Engineering Education Lab. Additional in-class lessons led by ME2L educators are available.
Urban Heat Islands
Grade level(s): 6th–8th
Nevada Academic Content Standards in Science (NGSS): MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4, MS-ESS3-5
In this hands-on Discovery Lab students will explore the “heat island effect” as one of the contributing factors to global climate change. Students will work collaboratively to design cityscapes and evaluate their ability to minimize human impact on the environment.
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