Purpose
Fifth graders will deepen their understanding of matter by designing, practicing, and leading five safe, hands-on science stations for second graders. Guided by the question, “How can we explain the physical properties of matter using what we see, touch, and measure?” teams will create accurate, clearly labeled posters and demonstrations, then improve them through teacher feedback. The project culminates in a Matter Lab Fair where students communicate how materials are observed, measured, and separated, including connections to Earth materials and responsible resource use. Partners will conclude by sharing one science idea they can explain and one collaboration skill they used successfully.
Learning goals
Students will observe and measure properties such as density, magnetism, texture, state, and buoyancy to identify and compare materials. They will explain physical changes, test clay designs, and separate iron, sand, and gravel using evidence-based methods while connecting responsible material use to protecting Earth’s resources. Fifth graders will create accurate, clearly labeled station posters and safely guide second graders in asking questions, gathering observations, and explaining evidence. Teams will practice shared leadership, revise their stations using feedback, and reflect with their second-grade partners on science learning and collaboration.
Products
Teams will create accurate, illustrated station posters, clear labels, short teaching scripts, safety guides, and organized materials for each investigation. During rehearsals, fifth graders will revise these products using teacher feedback on science language, visuals, safe setup, and accessibility for second graders. The final product will be a classroom science museum with five hands-on booths where fifth graders guide second graders in observing, measuring, testing, and separating matter. Teachers will collect the posters and station materials as performance evidence, and student partners will complete the experience with a recorded reflection conversation.
Launch
Begin with a Lab Fair Launch Party where fifth graders and second graders rotate through brief mystery-matter previews and record what they see, touch, or measure. Fifth-grade teams rehearse one short explanation, one clear label, and one teacher-approved safe demonstration, with the elephant toothpaste handled only by an adult. Second graders ask questions and identify which explanations or labels help them understand each material. Close by introducing the essential question and challenging teams to create five accurate, engaging booths for the Matter Lab Fair.
Exhibition
Host a Matter Lab Fair where fifth-grade teams run five live science booths for second graders: elephant toothpaste, mixture separation, density cubes, a density tower, and floating clay. At each booth, fifth graders use posters, clear labels, measurements, and safe demonstrations to help visitors explain a property of matter. Teachers collect posters and examine station materials for scientific accuracy, effective visuals, and evidence of observation or separation. Close with fifth-grade and second-grade partners sharing one science idea they can now explain and one collaboration skill they used well.
