Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science.

Science curriculum for K—5th grades.

90 sec
  • Hands-on — lead students in the doing of science and engineering.
  • Standards-aligned science lessons — Cover core standards in 1-2 hours of science per week.
  • Less prep, more learning — prep in minutes not hours. Captivate your students with short videos and discussion questions.

Sign up now to try Mystery Science for free.

Sign up

Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science.

Sign up now for tons of free lessons like this one!

Mini-lessons

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
These colorful designs were made to celebrate Diwali (Hindu New Year)! What do you think they’re made out of?
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
People make them out of colored sand! They’re called Rangoli. People use different tools to move the sand into shapes.
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
People also make Rangoli using flower petals or colored rice. They can be made outside or in people’s homes, often by doorways.
5
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
During Thai New Year, water is poured on people as a blessing. How else can you pour or spray water, other than from buckets?
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Some people use squirt guns! It’s very hot out during New Year (Songkran) in Thailand--another great reason for spraying water!
4
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Check out these giant lanterns! They’re made for a Lantern Festival during Lunar New Year! How do you think they’re made?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Watch as these people make one. First, they use wire to make a large shape. Then, they cover the wire with colorful fabric or cloth!
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Look at the animal lanterns again--can you see the wires underneath the colorful cloth?
3
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
What do you think these are? Hint: Americans often use these to celebrate the New Year!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
It’s the inside of a firework! Each ball has chemicals that explode. Look what happens when you put them in different patterns!
2
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Check out this dancing lion, another important part of Lunar New Year! What do you think makes the lion dance?
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
There are two people underneath! One person wears the head, which is like a puppet--pulling a string inside makes the eyes blink!
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Lion dances started as a New Year’s tradition. But now there are competitions where lion dancers balance on tall poles!
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Watch these lion dancers practice without their costume on!
1
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Voting for this episode is now closed. Would you like to vote on the most recent poll?

We pulled three questions from our jar. Which question do you want to explore?

  • Where does wind come from?

    -Sally, 3rd Grade

  • What’s the largest flying animal?

    -Lincoln, 4th Grade

  • What makes glue sticky?

    -Norah, 3rd Grade

Why is January the first month of the New Year?

Watch the video to discover the answer and don't forget to vote for next week's question. There are mysteries all around us. Have fun and stay curious!