STC Program sixth-grade Units

The NSRC has developed a series of science reading resources for the STC units on this page. These STC BOOKS™ provide complementary reading selections to enhance student interest and content retention. BOOKS may be purchased individually, in sets of eight, or by science strand. Look for links to individual titles below or go to our STC BOOKS™ overview page

Experiments with Plants
In Experiments with Plants, students apply the knowledge and skills they have gained in earlier STC life science units to investigate some of the variables that affect plant growth and development. The main objective of the unit is to enable students to design and conduct a controlled experiment. They begin by studying the key variables that affect the life, health, and reproduction of the Wisconsin Fast Plant™ and how they can manipulate these variables. Working in teams, students formulate a question about the plant and carry out a controlled experiment designed to answer that question. During the ensuing weeks, they observe the plants and record their data. Each team then shares its results with the class. Final activities entail germinating seeds that students have gathered from the plants and exploring tropisms.

Goals
Unit Overview
STC Meets the Standards
Sample Lesson
To Order
Science Reading Resource

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Measuring Time
In the first section of Measuring Time, "Keeping Time with the Sun and Moon," students explore the use of natural phenomena, such as the phases of the moon, to keep time. In the second section, "Investigating Invented Clocks," students conduct experiments using some of the instruments that have been used to keep time throughout the centuries. They build and experiment with a water clock and investigate the characteristics of the pendulum. Finally, they apply what they have learned to assemble and evaluate a clock escapement and modify the device in order to make it more accurate. The unit provides students an opportunity to learn how to measure time, to investigate machines, to explore concepts such as energy and motion, and to learn about the science of astronomy.

Goals
Unit Overview
STC Meets the Standards
Sample Lesson
To Order
Science Reading Resource

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Magnets & Motors Magnets and Motors
In Magnets and Motors, students build on the knowledge they gained in the STC Electric Circuits unit by exploring the properties of magnets and the magnetic properties of electric currents. The unit includes information on the historical development of scientists' understanding of the use of magnetism, electricity, and electromagnetism. Students begin by studying magnets and making a compass. They then investigate the relationship between magnetism and electricity, as they explore the characteristics of switches and circuits. Finally, the students experiment with three different motors. Applying their learning and experience, they dismantle, experiment with, and reassemble a manufactured motor.

Goals
Unit Overview
STC Meets the Standards
Sample Lesson
To Order
Science Reading Resource

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The Technology of Paper
In The Technology of Paper, students explore the properties of paper, make paper by hand, and discover how the properties of paper relate to how it is used. By testing six types of paper for smoothness, tear-resistance, opacity, water-resistance, and ink receptivity, students deepen their understanding of the relationship between the properties of a certain type of paper and its intended uses. Students read about industrial papermaking and explore hand papermaking. Using the class hand-papermaking process, students investigate the role of additives and of embedding and embossing in the production of paper with a variety of properties. In a final activity, students apply their learning and experience to work through a four-step technological design process as they create their own recycled paper product.

Goals
Unit Overview
STC Meets the Standards
[Sample Lesson]
To Order
Science Reading Resource

Back to units page


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