10/18/09

Sixth grade students follow developmentally appropriate curriculum delivered in curriculum notebooks. Notebook instructions are delivered consistently from Mission to Mission, making the process quickly familiar and allowing for easier classroom management.

Every Mission includes relevant, engaging, hands-on activities to introduce and reinforce the science concepts of the curriculum. Series III student teams explore Missions like Bug World and Light Works while practicing their teamwork and communication skills.

Teamwork is integral to the completion of any Mission. Series III Missions emphasize teamwork by assigning specific roles to each of the four students at the Mission.

Crime Lab

In the Crime Lab Mission, students solve mysteries using physical evidence found at crime scenes. Students use surveillance camera pictures, reports from forensic scientists, and the Crew’s own powers of observation, logic, and problem solving to solve mysteries.

Energy

In Energy, students learn about joules. They also learn about potential and kinetic energy and about renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.

Engineering

In Engineering, students learn about designing, building, and testing parts of structures. They learn that structures are made from parts arranged in a definite pattern and that structures are designed to serve a purpose.

Motion and Force

In the Motion and Force Mission, students learn about Newton’s three laws of motion. Students also build cars and test them based on Newton’s laws.

Puzzlers

Puzzlers combines the best of two worlds – puzzles and problem solving. This Mission challenges students to think about a situation or problem and be creative in order to find a solution.

Rocketry

In the Rocketry Mission, students design, build, and test straw rockets. Students determine the best design for a rocket so it lands in a specific target area.

Simple Machines

In Simple Machines, students learn about the six simple machines. Students build models that combine simple machines to form complex machines.

Transportation

In Transportation, students learn about the many ways in which people and goods can be moved from one place to another. Students design, build, and test a vehicle using LEGO^® pieces. Students also design, build, and test a crumple cage to protect an egg.