Coolest Young Scientist Program
presented by Boehringer Ingelheim
Timeline and Daily Plan Recommendations for
Coolest Young Scientist Program presented by Boehringer Ingelheim
Recommendations are based on approximately 30 minutes per day instructional blocks. Period 1
and 2 activities were developed to provide questions and/or activities in a format similar to the
OAT. Period 3 and Overtime Activities were developed to extend and reinforce the material in
Periods 1 and 2.
Grade 4
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 -
Read Story and do Comprehension Questions
Check Answers to Questions and Discuss Answer Story
Divide Students into Groups, Introduce Period 3 Activity, Students begin
Assignment
Students continue work on Assignment
Students Share lists and Discuss
Overtime Activity 1: Introduce Activity, Divide Students into groups, Groups begin
Scavenger Hunt
Groups finish Scavenger Hunt and Share with Class, Discuss Data
Overtime Activity 2: Introduce Newspaper in Education Activity, Students begin
Gathering Pictures
Students Finish Gathering Pictures and Prepare Demonstration/ Presentation
Student Presentations and Concluding Discussion of Activities
GRADE 4
Science
Science
1st Period
Changing States of Matter
When Jared Boll was in school, one of his favorite subjects was science. You might be surprised, but hockey
can help teach science. One subject that hockey is really helpful with is the changing states of matter.
What’s the Matter?
Matter is a fancy word that scientists use. What they really mean is stuff. That stuff includes anything found
on Earth or anywhere in the universe you can touch, feel, see or smell. Basically, matter is everything around
you.
Matter can exist in a number of physical ‘states.’ The three most common states are solids, liquids, and
gases. We use the word physical because matter only changes states by physical means, like raising or
lowering temperature. So when water freezes, it is still water, just in a different physical state.
Elements are the building blocks of all matter. Water always has the same elements: two hydrogen atoms
and one oxygen atom. Together those create the water molecule- H²O.
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Solids are hard because their molecules are packed together tightly. The harder the matter, the tighter its
molecules are packed. So, a rock is harder than a sponge because the rock’s molecules are more tightly
packed together.
Liquids have molecules that are relatively free and floating which makes them softer than solids. Liquids also
take shape of what is holding them. So if you dropped a rock in a bowl it would still be shaped like a rock
because it is a solid, but if you pour a glass of milk into the same bowl, it would take the shape of the bowl.
Gases and vapors (gases that are normally liquids) have molecules that are really free-floating and spread
out. They take the shape of whatever is holding them even more so than liquids. That is why you can fill a
balloon and then make animal shapes out of it. You could not fill a balloon with water then twist and turn it
into shapes.
GRADE 4
Science
Science
1st Period
Water
One easy way to describe changing states of matter is to use water as an
example. Water is one of the most abundant matters on Earth and is
important to everything that lives on out planet.
In its natural state, water is a liquid. Water becomes solid (ice) when it
reaches a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Water becomes a
vapor when it reaches a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
Water
When you freeze water is changes from a liquid to a solid and when you boil
water it changes from a liquid to a vapor (steam). But remember that
whether ice, water, or steam, the molecule is always H20. It never changes.
And the same goes for all pure forms of matter.
Nationwide Arena Ice
The Columbus Blue Jackets home rink is Nationwide Arena. The
ice at the arena is artificially made. When the arena’s ice
makers create the ice, they use the science behind changing
states of matter.
The floor underneath the ice at Nationwide Arena is concrete
and called an ‘ice slab.’ Below the ice slab there is a system of
pipes. The first step in the ice-making process is to pump near
freezing saltwater through the pipes to cool the concrete.
Once the ice slab gets cold enough, layers of water are applied.
After three or four layers have frozen, they are painted with
lines, circles and advertisements. Then eight to ten more layers
of water are frozen over the top.
Nationwide Arena
By the end of the process about 10,200 gallons of water are used. Believe it or
not, even with all of that water the ice at Nationwide Arena only ends up being
about one inch thick! That is just one inch between the fastest sport and the
concrete ice slab that lies beneath players like Rick Nash.
GRADE 4
Science
Science
2nd Period
Activities
Teachers: Questions are included for this period. You may want to divide students into groups to complete
these activities. It is recommended that each student receive a copy of the questions even if working in a
group. You may want to make a transparency of the student instructions for the activities to put on the
overhead.
Instructions: Have students read Changing States of Matter. Provide students with a copy of questions for
use as a group or individually. Read instructions below to students or place them on overhead.
Students: You’ve read the story Changing States of Matter. You are now going to be answering some
questions that test your knowledge of changing states of matter. Refer back to the story to help answer the
questions.
Activity: Students will be completing the questions.
Comprehension Questions
1. To make an ice rink, water is converted to ice. You are changing that water from:
a.
b.
c.
A liquid to a gas
A solid to a liquid
A liquid to a solid
2. Which item below has the tightest packed molecules?
a.
b.
c.
A playground ball
An eraser
A hockey puck
3. You go to the concession stand and purchase a Pepsi. What state of matter is Pepsi? Explain how you
know your answer is correct.
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GRADE 4
Science
Science
2nd Period
4. You go to the FS Ohio Blue Line and purchase an autographed hockey stick. The hockey stick is a
a.
b.
c.
Solid
Gas
Liquid
5. A concession stand worker is boiling water to make hot chocolate, when the water boils it will become a
a.
b.
c.
Solid
Gas
Liquid
6. Define matter and give three examples of matter that could be found at Nationwide Arena
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7. Complete the data chart below
Water Temperature
Physical State
5°F
95°F
120°F
212°F
Summarize the cause and effect demonstrated by the data above.
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GRADE 4
Science
Science
3rd Period
Teachers: Divide students into groups of 4. Each group will be responsible for developing a list of 5
processes that involve freezing, melting, or vaporizing. They will then share this list with classmates.
Instructions:
• Divide students into groups of 4.
• Provide 3x5 cards for students to write lists on. OPTIONAL
• Read instructions below to students or place them on overhead.
• Provide groups time to develop this list.
• Provide classroom time for groups to share lists and discuss.
Students: Now that you have read the story Changing States of Matter and completed the
questions, you will be applying your knowledge of the changing states of matter. As a group you will
be making a list of 5 processes that involve freezing, melting, or vaporizing. Be prepared to share you
list with the class.
GRADE 4
Science
Science
3rd Period
Overtime Activities
The overtime segment is designed to encourage students to see a connection between the lesson and the
“real world” by including an active component to the lesson plan and by including a connection to
The local newspaper. Students will be asked to complete the following after finishing the lesson plans:
States of Matter Scavenger Hunt
Divide the class into groups of four. Make a list of activities either around the school or at home that
involve changing states of matter or chemical changes. An example is burning wood to make a bonfire.
OPTION - Perform demonstration.
TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS
Directions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Divide students into groups of 4.
Provide 3x5 index cards for students to write lists on. OPTIONAL
Read instructions below to students or place them on overhead
Provide groups time to develop lists.
Provide classroom time for groups to share lists and discuss.
STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS
Students: Make a list of activities either around the school or at home that involve changing the states of
matter or chemical changes. AN example is burning wood to make a bonfire. Each group should find at
least 5 activities.
Newspaper In Education - Search the newspaper (print or online) for pictures of the three states of
matter (solids, liquids, gases). Can you find a picture of each? Bonus Question: What could you do to
change the state of matter pictures into one of the other states of matter? If this is not dangerous, be
ready to perform the demonstration.
GRADE 4
Science
Science
Overtime
TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS
Directions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Provide students either with copies of local newspapers or the website address for a newspaper.
Students are to find a picture showing each of the three states of matter.
Review with the students the three states of matter (solids, liquids, gasses).
Provide time for the students to present their pictures and explanations to the class.
Read directions on next page to students or place on an overhead projector.
STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS
Students: Using either the newspaper or newspaper website address find pictures of the three states of
matter (solids, liquids, gases). Try to find a picture of each.
Bonus Question: What could you do to change the state of matter pictures into one of the other states of
matter?
GRADE 4
Science
Answer Key
1.
C. A liquid to a solid
2.
A. A hockey puck
3.
Scoring Guidelines
Points
Student Responses
2
Answer is accurate and includes an explanation
Answer: a liquid. It takes the shape of the cup holding it
1
Answer is partially complete such as correct answer but no explanation or an inaccurate
explanation
0
Answer is incorrect
4.
A. Solid
5.
B. Gas
GRADE 4
Science
Science
Answer Key
6. Scoring Guidelines
Points
Student Response
4
Response includes a correct definition and three examples.
Example: matter is anything you can touch, feel, see or smell.
1.
The arena seats
2.
Popcorn
3.
A hockey jersey
3
Response includes a correct definition and two examples.
Example: Matter is anything you can touch, feel, see or smell.
1.
Cotton candy
2.
The goalie's mask
2
Response includes a correct definition and one example. Example: matter is anything
you can touch, feel, see or smell. 1. The ice
1
Response provides a correct definition.
Example: matter is anything you can touch, feel, see or smell.
0
Response is incorrect.
7.
Water Temperature
Physical State
5 degrees Fahrenheit
solid
95 degrees Fahrenheit
liquid
120 degrees Fahrenheit
liquid
212 degrees Fahrenheit
gas
8.
Answer Example: Temperature causes the states of matter to change.
OR As the temperature goes up the water changes from a solid to a liquid
then to a gas.
GRADE 4
Science