The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Mystery Box Investigation

Mystery Box Investigation

A 5th grade STEM lesson

Author

Julie Johnson

Date

June 23, 2023

Notes for teachers

This lesson combines math and science standards in a meaningful and relevant way.

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Prior knowledge of properties of matter, how matter behaves,mass, volume, density and using inquiry tools is helpful.

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This lesson offers the application piece of measuring and calculating mass, volume, and density with hands on exploration.

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In this investigation students will get a deeper understanding of how mass, volume, and density are related and how properties of matter can help determine how we use the matter.

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Students will be using inquiry tools and skills as they collect and record qualitative and quantitative data.

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List of Materials

• identical small boxes with lids
• various small solid objects with varying properties
• ruler, scale, calculator, magnet, pencil, colors, tape
• Mystery Box Lab Sheet

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Standards

Math

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Numbers and Operations

• 5.NBT.A.4 rounding
• 5.NBT.B.5 perform operations

Measurement and Data

• 5.MD.B.2 represent and interpret data
• 5.MD.C.3-5 geometric measurements and attributes of volume

Mathematical Practices

• 5.MP.2 reason abstractly and quantitatively
• 5.MP.4 model with math
• 5.MP.5 use appropriate tools
• 5.MP.6 attend to precision
• 5.MP.7 use structure and patterns

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Standards

Physical Science

5.P2U1.3 Construct an explanation using evidence to demonstrate that objects can affect other objects even when they are not touching. (Magnetism)

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Cross Cutting Concepts

• Patterns and cause and effect relationships

Science and Engineering Practices

• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use math and computational thinking
• construct explanations
• use evidence
• communicate information

Objectives:

• Students will use and apply science, engineering and math practices to investigate how mass, volume, and density are related.
• Students will read, highlight, discuss, and take notes.
• Students will use observation skills to identify and describe mystery matter based on properties and behavior.
• Students will measure, record, and calculate mass, volume, and density using inquiry tools.
• Students will multiple, divide, and round whole numbers and decimals.
• Students will compare, analyze,, interpret and draw conclusions about the cause and effect patterns between maas, volume, and density.
• Students will communicate and display results by creating a bar graph.

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Agenda

Day 1 (approx. 45 min class period)

• Introduction to the investigation / anticipatory set
• Hand out lab sheet, read procedures, set up lab sheet, highlight details, and take notes (students will need to write and highlight exactly what I model for them on my copy)
• Review and model proper measuring techniques and math formulas

Day 2

• Conduct the investigation by completing procedure steps 1-9 on the lab sheet

Day 3

• Discuss, analyze, compare, interpret data, draw conclusions, and graph results
• Complete question 10 and graph results using graph template

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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Can you identify an object or tell what something is if you can’t see it?

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Let’s try it!

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Small groups of 3-4
• Each group will need an identical mystery box, (contents in each box should vary but include items from each category), rulers, a magnet and scale.
• Have mystery boxes, materials, and measuring tools ready to hand out to each group
• Students must verify that measurements and calculations are accurate by working together in their group
• Model accurate techniques for measuring and review math formulas for calculating volume and density before students begin
• Walk around to monitor and assist students during measurement and calculation steps
• Based on time constraints and students skill abilities this lesson can take multiple class periods to complete

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Mystery Box Investigation

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• Master Copy of Mystery Box Lab Sheet

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• Mystery Box Contents

choose at least 4 to 5 different types of objects with varying properties. The rock is heavy and rolls, the foam acts as a cushion and changes how thighs feel, the chain slides, rattles and is not magnetic, plastic letter tiles, and jingle bell for sound and is magnetic

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• Preparing Mystery Box

arrange items in box, they will shift around as students gently move and shake the box

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• Seal and Label Mystery Box

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• Teacher Key and Notes

For simplicity and graphing purposes,have the students round the volume and mass of the mystery box to the nearest “one” and for density have them round to the nearest “tenth”

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• After students answer question # 10, ask them what would happen if we put the exact contents into a larger box, how would this change our results?

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Assessment

• Check for accuracy in measurements and calculated data (page 2)
• Formative assessment of drawing conclusion question #10
• Check bar graphs for completeness and accuracy

Differentiation

• Use more guided instruction, modeling and support
• Allow calculator use for determining volume, density
• Assist with measurements
• Allow students to work together
• Use a cube box ( all sides have same dimension) rather than rectangular box
• Use inches rather than cm to ensure smaller numbers for calculating

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Challenge students to calculate volume and density without the use of a calculator
• Challenge students to create different graphs to show their results
• Conduct further data analysis of the results by having students find differences, calculate class averages, identify mean,medium, and mode, compile class data and graph it
• Students can repeat the investigation using the same exact content but a different size box which would impact volume and density.
• Students can lay out the items in the box and identify and compare distinguishing properties of the objects and describe the purpose or use of each object in this investigation.