Online Learning Activities
Dirtmeister's Science Reporter
With the help of an expert, students learn to ask scientific questions, communicate their observations, and explain natural phenomena.
- Grades: 3–5, 6–8
In "Dirtmeister's Science Reporters," students (grades 3–6) lead their own investigations in observing, identifying, and describing the science found in their world, then writing about their findings. With the help of science expert Steve Tomecek (a.k.a. the "Dirtmeister"), students learn to ask scientific questions, communicate their observations, and construct explanations of natural phenomena.
- Erosion: Students can discover and describe how erosion changes our earth.
- Animal Adaptations: Students study and record how animals adapt to suit to their environment.
- Friction: Students research, then write about how friction affects our daily lives.
- Simple Machine: Students can identify a simple machine in their world.
Each four-step activity includes the chance to read sample reports for inspiration.
Learning Objectives
While participating in "Dirtmeister's Science Reporters," students will:
- Explore, observe, and describe the world around them
- Understand how forces control events in our world
- Investigate materials, organisms, and properties of common objects
- Construct explanations of natural and man-made phenomena
- Develop the ability to ask scientific questions, investigate aspects of the world around them, and use their observations to construct reasonable explanations for the questions posed
- Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in the environment
- Use data to construct a reasonable explanation
- Communicate their ideas to others
- Develop their science knowledge
- Learn through the inquiry process how to communicate their own investigation
Related Resources
With the help of the “Dirtmeister,” biologist Steve Tomecek, students can participate in a number of fun, eye-opening science experiments.
With the help of audio, text, photos, and video, students thoroughly explore six science topics, from the Galapagos Islands to giant squid.
- Subjects:Evolution, Erosion, Simple Machines
