Elementary Programs
Our Elementary Program for Fall 2023 will be facilitated virtually by our volunteers - there is no in-person facilitation at this time. Read below for full details and how to register.
In addition to this, our lesson plans and resources are fully available for all educators to incorpate into their classrooms. Take a look at all 19 activities below.
Stay connected with us so you never miss an announcement!
Educator Newsletter (external link, opens in new window) - Generally sent once per term, this email announces all of our available school programs for the term and how to register.
Volunteer Sign-up (external link, opens in new window) - Our monthly volunteer newsletter allows volunteers to sign up for the events and shifts they're interested and available to help with. We'll provide training to get you started. See our volunteer page for more information.
SciXchange Newsletter (external link, opens in new window) - Our general newsletter keeps the public and our community informed about upcoming public events and programs related to science outreach.
Lastly, follow us on Facebook (external link, opens in new window) , Twitter (external link, opens in new window) , and Instagram (external link, opens in new window) to see what we're up to throughout the year!
Virtual Activities
We schedule activities on a first come, first served basis, according to our volunteer's availability. You may request more than one activity however in order to provide access to our programs, we do not book multiple days with the same school. If you would like a second activity your second request will be placed at the bottom of the priority list and we will visit all new schools before re-visiting schools within the same school year.
Activity Details
- Length: Approx. 1 hour
- Class Size: max. 30
Registration for this program is full for 2023-24.
1) Robot Hand
Description: Students will explore human anatomy, including bones, muscles and tendons. Students will apply what they have learned by making their own robot hand.
Equipment: Construction paper, scissors, tape, string, straws
Prerequisites: None
2) Excel Pixel Art
Description: In this introduction to computer languages, students explore HEX codes and colour theory by creating their own pixel art piece.
Equipment Needs: Each student needs a computer with access to either Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. We will provide a pre-coded spreadsheet to share with students.
Prerequisites: None
3) Micro:Bits
Description: This activity uses scratch (block) coding to introduce students to the logic of computer coding. Students will code a simple game and use the Micro:Bit simulator to play against the computer.
Equipment Needs: Each student needs a computer with access to the internet. Students do not need a Micro:Bit to participate in this program.
Prerequisites: Options for beginner and intermediate (some coding experience) available
4) Machine Learning
Description: Students will train a computer to do simple tasks.
Equipment Needs: Each student needs a computer with access to the internet.
Prerequisites: Some coding experience is necessary.
Lesson Plans Available for Download
We have 19 activites specially designed for elementary students. Take a look at each themes section to see their lesson plans, worksheets, tutorial videos, and registrations for class visits.
Growing Plants
Description: Choose between 2 activities - propagating a plant from a clipping or creating your own terrarium. Both of these activities have students explore concepts in conservation, plant biology, ecosystems and biodiversity.
Subject: Plant Biology
Length of Time: 1 hour
Support materials: (google doc) Growing Plants lesson plan (external link, opens in new window) , Growing Plants experiment video part 1 (external link, opens in new window) , Growing Plants experiment video part 2 (external link, opens in new window)
Ocean in a Jar
Description: The ocean can be divided into several layers with similar characteristics based on the amount of sunlight that penetrates each layer. Students will explore each layer while creating their own model ocean.
Subject: Environmental Science
Length of Time: 40 minutes
Support materials: Ocean in a Jar experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Ocean in a Jar lesson plan (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Ocean in a Jar worksheet (external link, opens in new window)
The Rock Cycle
Description: Students will learn about sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks and the geologic processes of weathering, erosion, heat and pressure that create these rocks.
Subject: Geology
Length of Time: 30 minutes
Support materials: The Rock Cycle experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) The Rock Cycle lesson plan (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) The Rock Cycle worksheet (external link, opens in new window)
Cloud in a Jar
Description: Students will be introduced to rain and other types of precipitation. They will also be introduced to the water cycle and the details of its four phases
Subject: Environmental Science
Length of Time: 1 hour
Support materials: Cloud in a Jar experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Cloud in a Jar lesson plan (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Cloud in a Jar worksheet (external link, opens in new window)
Why Do Leaves Change Colour?
Description: Students will be introduced to what pigments are, some of the main pigments that are seen in fall leaves, the importance of the chlorophyll, and the process of photosynthesis.
Subject: Environmental Science
Length of Time: 1 hour
Support materials: Why Do Leaves Change Colour experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Why Do Leaves Change Colour lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Slime
Description: Non-Newtonian Fluid is always a fun activity! Students explore movement of molecules and different states of matter by making slime.
Subject: Chemistry
Length of Time: 30 minutes
Support materials: (google doc) Slime lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Ice Cream in a Bag
Description: Students will review the three states of matter and phase transitions, and will go in depth on how their molecules behave.
Subject: Chemistry
Length of Time: 30 minutes
Support materials: Ice Cream in a Bag experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Ice Cream in a Bag lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Milk Casein (Making plastic from milk)
Description: Students will investigate the concepts of monomers and how they can combine to form polymers. Students will examine how change between monomeric and polymer forms requires a chemical reaction. Students will learn what constitutes a chemical reaction, and practice identifying when one has occurred.
Subject: Chemistry
Length of Time: 1 hr
Support materials: Milk Casein video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Milk Casein lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Is Your Microwave a Faraday Cage?
Description: This demonstration explores the idea of waves in our environment. How do cell signals, wifi and microwaves work? Students can test their own microwaves at home.
Subject: Physics
Length of Time: 40 minutes
Support materials: (google doc) Is Your Microwave a Faraday Cage? lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Soap Powered Boat
Description: Students will investigate the concepts of forces and movement, as well as surface tension and use these concepts to make a simple boat move forward.
Subject: Forces
Length of Time: 50 minutes
Support materials: Soap Powered Boat experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Soap Powered Boat lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Balloon Hoverboard
Description: Students will be introduced to the scientist Isaac Newton, along with his contributions and impact on science. They will also learn about Newton’s 3 laws of motion. The concept of inertia will also be taught to allow for a better understanding of motion.
Subject: Laws of motion
Length of Time: 40 min - 1 hr
Support materials: Balloon Hoverboard experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Balloon Hoverboard lesson plan (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Balloon Hoverboard worksheet (external link, opens in new window)
Phases of the Moon
Description: In this lesson students will learn about how the moon rotates around the Earth and the different phases the moon undergoes within a lunar month. They will also be introduced to the concept of gravity and tidal forces.
Subject: Space
Length of Time: 1 hour
Support materials: Phases of the Moon experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Phases of the Moon lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Solar Telescope
Description: The Sun cannot be observed directly, and so scientists have developed interesting ways to study it. Projecting the light of the Sun onto a white screen and following the dark spots over a long period of time allowed scientists to discover sunspots.
Subject: Space
Length of Time: 50 minutes
Support materials: Solar Telescope experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Solar Telescope lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Parachutes
Description: Students will explore the concepts of gravity and air resistance. Students will learn about the history of parachutes. They will also be able to apply what they have learned by making their own toy parachute.
Subject: Flight
Length of Time: 1 hour
Support materials: Parachutes video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Parachutes lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Robot Hand
Description: Students will explore human anatomy, in particular the anatomy of our hands, including bones, muscles and tendons. Students will also be able to apply what they have learned by making their own robot hand.
Subject: Biology, Anatomy
Length of Time: 1 hour
Support materials: Robot Hand experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Robot Hand lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
The Heart Beats On
Description: The heart is a very important organ and this activity will get the students thinking about what blood really is, how the heart and the circulatory system works to move blood around our body, as well as the differences between veins and arteries.
Subject: Biology, Anatomy
Length of Time: 1 hour
Support materials: The Heart Beats On experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) The Heart Beats On lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Candy DNA
Description: What does our DNA look like? Students build their own DNA model while learning about the building blocks of our genetics.
Subject: Biology, Genetics
Length of Time: 40 minutes
Support materials: (google doc) Candy DNA lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Strawberry DNA Extraction
Description: Students will learn about DNA as the basic building block of life, and how it contains the instructions needed for organisms to develop, grow, survive, and reproduce.
Subject: Biology, Genetics
Length of Time: 45 minutes
Support materials: Strawberry DNA Extraction experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Strawberry DNA Extraction lesson plan (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) Strawberry DNA Extraction worksheet (external link, opens in new window)
DIY Stethoscope
Description: Students will be introduced to how the heart works and it's importance, oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, and where each type will go in our bodies. Also, they will learn the basic idea of gas exchange and the fact that the heart beats in order to move blood. Students will make a stethoscope and will be able to listen to their heartbeats.
Subject: Biology, Anatomy
Length of Time: 40 min - 1 hr
Support materials: DIY Stethoscope experiment video (external link, opens in new window) , (google doc) DIY Stethoscope lesson plan (external link, opens in new window)
Register
Sign up for our Educator Newsletter (external link) so you will be the first to know about our new offering!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at scixchange@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) .
We enjoy posting photos of our school visits. Please have your students submit (PDF file) image consent forms (opens in new window) and let us know if any parents decline consent.