A Five-Station NGSS-Aligned Investigation on Scientific Skills + Video Attention Challenge.
Teach students what scientists actually do with this engaging, hands-on station-based lesson built around Six Essential Science Skills:
Observation
Inference
Prediction
Categorization
Making Models
Communication
Students rotate through five interactive science stations that challenge their thinking, build scientific reasoning, and help them understand that science is more than facts — it’s a process.
The lesson begins with a high-engagement video activity using the 1999 Simons & Chabris Selective Attention Test, where most viewers overlook the man in the gorilla suit. This attention challenge introduces the real purpose of the lesson: scientists must observe carefully, question assumptions, and see beyond expectations.
After the video warm-up, students move into five NGSS-aligned stations that reinforce each science skill through hands-on exploration.
Station 1 – Observation
Students smell mystery scent maracas and record sensory observations using only their noses.
Station 2 – Inference + Prediction
Students test beakers containing different liquids (water, oil, food coloring), make predictions, and revisit assumptions as new evidence appears.
Station 3 – Can You Trust Your Eyes?
Students measure optical illusions with rulers to discover how senses can be fooled.
Station 4 – Classification
Students sort materials into solids and liquids — until oobleck challenges their categories.
Station 5 – Making Models
Students observe classroom models (solar system, cell, etc.) and then draw a model to represent something too large or too small to observe directly.
The lesson concludes with an assessment and reflection sheet, plus a full teacher key and complete station instructions. Everything needed to teach is included — just print the station sheets and set up your materials.
This is a powerful way to introduce the nature of science, build critical thinking, and start the year with inquiry-based learning that sticks.
Best Fit Grades:
✔ 6–9
Also adaptable for remedial high school, SPED, intervention, and ELL groups.
Courses:
Middle School Science
General/Introductory Biology
NGSS “Nature of Science” units
First-week lab bootcamp
Scientific Method / Skills refreshers
ELA / Communication
Communicate findings, defend classifications, justify inferences.
Math Skills
Measurement & comparison during optical illusions (Station 3).
Critical Thinking & Perception
Selective attention & cognitive bias discussion after gorilla video.
Optional Extensions
CER writing: Which skill is most important for scientists?
Students design a 7th scientific skill & justify its value.
Add a debate station on whether Oobleck should be classified.
MS-LS1-2 / HS-LS1-3 — Interpreting observational data, sensory evidence
MS-PS1-4 — Solid vs liquid classification (Station 4)
MS-ETS1-2 — Model development and representation (Station 5)
✔ Planning & Carrying Out Investigations
✔ Analyzing & Interpreting Data
✔ Constructing Explanations
✔ Developing & Using Models
✔ Obtaining, Evaluating, Communicating Information
Structure & Function (models & classification)
Cause & Effect (prediction station changes with evidence)
Systems & Models (cell vs solar system)
Patterns (sorting scents, solid vs liquid, illusion geometry)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3
Follow multistep experiment procedures
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2
Write explanations based on station evidence
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6-8.1
Group discussion + reasoning during stations
A Five-Station NGSS-Aligned Investigation on Scientific Skills + Video Attention Challenge.
Teach students what scientists actually do with this engaging, hands-on station-based lesson built around Six Essential Science Skills:
Observation
Inference
Prediction
Categorization
Making Models
Communication
Students rotate through five interactive science stations that challenge their thinking, build scientific reasoning, and help them understand that science is more than facts — it’s a process.
The lesson begins with a high-engagement video activity using the 1999 Simons & Chabris Selective Attention Test, where most viewers overlook the man in the gorilla suit. This attention challenge introduces the real purpose of the lesson: scientists must observe carefully, question assumptions, and see beyond expectations.
After the video warm-up, students move into five NGSS-aligned stations that reinforce each science skill through hands-on exploration.
Station 1 – Observation
Students smell mystery scent maracas and record sensory observations using only their noses.
Station 2 – Inference + Prediction
Students test beakers containing different liquids (water, oil, food coloring), make predictions, and revisit assumptions as new evidence appears.
Station 3 – Can You Trust Your Eyes?
Students measure optical illusions with rulers to discover how senses can be fooled.
Station 4 – Classification
Students sort materials into solids and liquids — until oobleck challenges their categories.
Station 5 – Making Models
Students observe classroom models (solar system, cell, etc.) and then draw a model to represent something too large or too small to observe directly.
The lesson concludes with an assessment and reflection sheet, plus a full teacher key and complete station instructions. Everything needed to teach is included — just print the station sheets and set up your materials.
This is a powerful way to introduce the nature of science, build critical thinking, and start the year with inquiry-based learning that sticks.
Best Fit Grades:
✔ 6–9
Also adaptable for remedial high school, SPED, intervention, and ELL groups.
Courses:
Middle School Science
General/Introductory Biology
NGSS “Nature of Science” units
First-week lab bootcamp
Scientific Method / Skills refreshers
ELA / Communication
Communicate findings, defend classifications, justify inferences.
Math Skills
Measurement & comparison during optical illusions (Station 3).
Critical Thinking & Perception
Selective attention & cognitive bias discussion after gorilla video.
Optional Extensions
CER writing: Which skill is most important for scientists?
Students design a 7th scientific skill & justify its value.
Add a debate station on whether Oobleck should be classified.
MS-LS1-2 / HS-LS1-3 — Interpreting observational data, sensory evidence
MS-PS1-4 — Solid vs liquid classification (Station 4)
MS-ETS1-2 — Model development and representation (Station 5)
✔ Planning & Carrying Out Investigations
✔ Analyzing & Interpreting Data
✔ Constructing Explanations
✔ Developing & Using Models
✔ Obtaining, Evaluating, Communicating Information
Structure & Function (models & classification)
Cause & Effect (prediction station changes with evidence)
Systems & Models (cell vs solar system)
Patterns (sorting scents, solid vs liquid, illusion geometry)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3
Follow multistep experiment procedures
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2
Write explanations based on station evidence
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6-8.1
Group discussion + reasoning during stations
