[ML3] Grade 3 -- Curriculum Overview

Learning Objectives:

  • Core Concepts: Introduction to friction, sound intensity, light transmission, and basic heat transfer.
  • Data Skills: Introduction to more complex live plots, understanding trends in data, and the relationship between variables.

Session Grouping:

  • Bootcamp (Sessions 1-2): Practice taking readings and plotting simple data.
  • Experimentation (Sessions 3-7): Investigate sound, light, friction, and temperature through guided experiments.
  • Physical Measurements (Sessions 8-9): Students explore heart rate and jump height to see how the body reacts to physical activity.
  • Creative Project (Session 10): Design a unique experiment and gather real-time data using MeasureLab.

Data Analysis Skills:

  • Advanced Trends: Students begin detecting trends in live data, plotting multiple data points, and understanding relationships (e.g., heat vs. time, sound vs. distance).

Session 1: Reaction Time Challenge

Details:

Students test their reaction times to visual, auditory, and touch stimuli using the touchpad sensor, comparing results and discussing quick responses.


Session 2: Windy Wonders—Playing with Air

Details:

Students use a motorized fan controlled by MeasureLab to feel different wind speeds, adjusting voltage with an on-screen slider for a fun introduction to the equipment.


Session 3: Sound and Signals

Details:

Students measure the loudness of their claps or voices using the sound sensor, observing noise levels on live plots and getting comfortable with taking measurements. They will also learn to identify errors caused by unexpected noises


Session 4: Exploring force/mass/photogate
Session 4: Light Blockers—Testing Materials

Details:

Using the light sensor, students experiment by covering it with various materials (paper, foil, fabric) to see how light intensity changes, learning about transparency.

Merge with 7


Session 5: See the heart beats/Co2 in breathing


Session 5: Melting Magic—Ice and Movement

Details:

Students explore how stirring affects how quickly ice melts in water, using the temperature sensor to record changes and understand heat transfer.

Merge with 6


Session 6: Ice Insulators—Keeping It Cool

Details:

Wrapping ice cubes in different materials, students measure which ones slow down melting the most, learning about insulation and material properties.


Session 7: Reflection Exploration

Details:

With the light sensor, students investigate how different surfaces reflect light, discovering concepts of reflection and absorption.


Session 8: Solar Power Fun

Details:

Students use a solar cell connected to MeasureLab to see how light intensity affects voltage output, experimenting with angles and light sources.


Session 9: Densities
Session 9: Muscles in Motion

Details:

Students will explore muscle activity by observing changes when flexing and relaxing their arms. Using a live plot, they’ll see how muscles work harder with larger movements, introducing them to basic muscle function and body mechanics.


Session 10: Design Your Own Experiment

Details:

Students plan and conduct their own simple experiments using MeasureLab, applying their knowledge and showcasing creativity.