In this unit, Science in St. Louis, students try to figure out the science behind some popular St. Louis attractions. To try to explain each attraction, students are introduced to relevant phenomena that allow them to develop science ideas across grades 3-5, including force and motion, heredity and adaptation, energy, weather, and changes in Earth’s surface. Students use this information to figure out how to improve or create an exhibit that highlights the science behind these attractions. As students engage in the activities in this unit, the Crosscutting Concepts of Structure and Function, Energy and Matter, and Systems and System Models will be emphasized.

First, students visit the Gateway Arch and Riverfront, where they explore how St. Louis weather, climate, and topography have impacted both the design of the Arch and the ecosystems around the Mississippi Riverfront.  Next, students visit the Busch Stadium, where they consider a homerun from both the perspective of the batter and the baseball fans to explore ideas about energy, force, and information processing.

Next, students visit the City Museum where they investigate natural selection by considering the specimens in the natural history room. Students then visit the slides at the City Museum to investigate friction, simple machines, and force. Students then visit Beatnik Bob’s arcade room to explore electricity, magnetism, and energy transformation through the phenomenon of pinball machines. In the design challenge for this unit, students will design a new or improved exhibit where they engage visitors in an interactive display of the science of a particular St. Louis attraction based on what they have figured out throughout the unit.