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Minnesota · Minnesota Science · Grade 3

3P.1.2.1.1: Plan and conduct a controlled investigation to determine the effect…

Plan and conduct a controlled investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.

The Minnesota Academic Standards in Science (2019) outcome 3P.1.2.1.1 (Physical Sciences) for Grade 3 says: “Plan and conduct a controlled investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.” These 2 Fieldbook units teach it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: Minnesota Academic Standards in Science (2019).

Earth and Sky at Home Grades K–5 · partly supports this outcome

Make a rainbow on the kitchen floor, grow crystals on a windowsill and build a cloud in a jar. Three classic home experiments that actually work, with the real science explained for grown-ups.

  • Where do rainbows come from? 45 min, plus 10 min outside on a sunny day

    Children split sunlight into colours with a glass of water, test whether the water is what makes the rainbow, and make their own rainbow with a hose mist. They finish able to explain that white light is a mix of colours that water bends apart.

Bouncing Light: Mirrors, Water and Colour Grades 3–5 · partly supports this outcome

Steer a beam around a wall with mirrors, find out why a pencil looks broken in water, and split white light into the colours hiding inside it. Three hands-on lessons on reflection, refraction and colour that build on shadows and work in any climate.

  • Why does a pencil look broken in water? 50–60 min

    Teams look at a pencil in a cup of water, make a hidden coin appear by pouring in water, and turn a water drop into a magnifying lens. Then they explain that light changes direction when it passes from air into water.

  • What colours are hiding in white light? 55–65 min

    Teams spread a flashlight beam into a band of colours with a CD or a plastic prism, then shine coloured light on coloured paper. They explain that white light is a mixture, and that an object looks the colour of the light it reflects.

Printable practice for 3P.1.2.1.1

These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to 3P.1.2.1.1 is partial.

Need just this outcome? Build a custom pack from these pages, with its answer key, in about a minute. Custom packs come with All-access and school licences.

Compared with NGSS: 1-PS4-3 (partial).

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