Grade Level:
Engineering Mixtures: Separation Anxiety!
5
Content Area:
Physical Science
Core Areas:
Matter and Mixtures
Lesson Overview:
After exploring the properties of several materials, students will use the
engineering design process to separate a mixture using the processes of filtration, sifting, magnetic
attraction, evaporation, or floatation.
Grouping:
5 tables with 4-6 per table
2005 Standards Correlation:
Grade 5 Physical Science: Properties of Matter
Standard 5-4 The student will demonstrate an understanding of properties of matter.
Indicator:
5-4.4 Use the processes of filtration, sifting, magnetic attraction, evaporation, chromatography, and
floatation to separate mixtures.
2014 Standards Correlation:
Grade 5
Physical Science: Matter and Mixtures
Standard 5.P.2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of matter
and mixtures.
5.P.2B Conceptual Understanding:
A mixture is formed when two or more kinds of matter are put together. Sometimes when two or
more different substances are mixed together, a new substance with different properties may be
formed but the total amount (mass) of the substances is conserved. Solutions are a special type of
mixture in which one substance is dissolved evenly into another substance. When the physical
properties of the components in a mixture are not changed, they can be separated in different
physical ways.
Performance Indicators: Students who demonstrate this understanding can:
5.P.2B.6 Design and test the appropriate method(s) (such as filtration, sifting, attraction to magnets,
evaporation, chromatography, or floatation) for separating various mixtures. (S.1.B.1)
Engineering Mixtures: Separation Anxiety Lesson Plan Copyright © 2015 by USC-A
Page 1 of 3
Materials
1 tub per group containing the following materials:
• Cup with different colored beads and small pieces of pipe cleaners of the same color
• small Ziploc bags of salt, leaves and sticks, aquarium gravel, iron filings,
diatomaceous earth (l of each)
• Magnet in a Ziploc bag
• Small screen
• 3 coffee filters
• Plastic spoon
• Standing funnel from FOSS kit
• 2 graduated beakers
• Liter of water
• Measuring spoons
• 3 quart-sized Ziploc bags
• Small aluminum pie plate
• small courtesy cups
• digital scales
• Clipboard, data sheet, pencil
• Hot plate
• Task card
• calculators
Resources for Teachers:
FOSS Mixtures and Solutions. Lawrence Hall of Sci., Univ. of Cal. @ Berkeley. 3rd ed.
Delta, 2012.
https://www.teachengineering.org/
http://tryengineering.org/lesson-plans
Engineering Design Process: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/engineering-designprocess/engineering-design-process-steps.shtml#theengineeringdesignprocess
Science Buddies Separation Design Activity: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_ideas/BioChem_p046.shtml#procedure
Mr. Parr’s Separating Mixtures you tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr7JU0zsLNs
Engineering Mixtures: Separation Anxiety Lesson Plan Copyright © 2015 by USC-A
Page 2 of 3
7E
Engage
Elicit
Explore
Procedures
SEPs and Cross Cutting
Concepts
Give each group containers with a physical mixture of
different items: beads and pipe cleaner pieces of the
same colors. Discuss how physical properties can be
used to separate mixtures.
Go over Essential Questions: How can properties of
substances be used to separate various mixtures? How
can the Engineering Design Process be used to find
the most efficient procedure for separating mixtures?
Elicit prior knowledge.
Briefly go through PowerPoint slides showing
different methods of separation.
Have students explore the properties of salt, powder,
iron filings, aquarium gravel, and leaves and
sticks. Make a chart to show their properties
(particle size, density, magnetic, solubility).
Each group should make a batch of the mixture in the
Ziploc bag.
Go over steps of the Engineering Design Process.
Each group should now follow the Engineering
Design Process using the materials in their tubs to
find the most efficient way to separate their
mixtures. They should refine their steps. Each
group will keep track of their process on their data
sheet.
Explain
Have each group report their results to the class.
Review Engineering Design Process and methods for
separating mixtures based on the properties of their
ingredients.
Elaborate Discuss times when it might be important to separate
mixtures using one of the methods we explored.
Evaluate Turn and Talk: How did we use the properties of
substances to separate various items in our mixtures?
How did the Engineering Design Process help us find
the most efficient procedure for separating mixtures?
Extend
Watch Mr. Parr’s Separating Mixtures song on
YouTube.
Engineering Mixtures: Separation Anxiety Lesson Plan Copyright © 2015 by USC-A
Page 3 of 3