10 High-Interest Science Topics With Videos & Questions — Perfect for Review, Early Finishers, or Summer Enrichment.
This Google Slides lesson uses short, curated videos to explore science concepts connected to summer phenomena through a structured student-choice format. Students select from a set of video-based investigations and analyze each topic using guided questions.
Students choose from approximately ten science topics and:
watch a short, kid-friendly video
answer content-based and reasoning questions
explain the scientific mechanisms behind familiar summer-related events
Topics include examples such as:
how fireworks produce color and sound
ecological consequences of eliminating mosquitoes
the science of campfires
how guitars produce sound
how beaches form
and other summer-themed science phenomena
The lesson is organized as a choice board, with a recommended number of activities to complete while allowing flexibility based on time and instructional goals.
This lesson is designed to support:
application of science concepts to everyday contexts
explanation of real-world phenomena
engagement through structured student choice
short-form analysis of multimedia science sources
It functions well as:
an end-of-year science activity
an enrichment or review task
a low-prep digital choice board lesson
The format allows students to explore multiple science ideas while practicing explanation and interpretation rather than passive viewing.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SCHOOL/DISTRICT ALLOWS YOUTUBE ACCESS BEFORE PURCHASE.
Middle School (Grades 7–8) – Highly appropriate
High School (Grades 9–10) – Works well as fun review or supplemental activity
To preview this lesson, click here.
Because each choice board item is video-based and conceptual, it naturally supports multiple subjects:
Students must synthesize video content, answer comprehension questions, and may optionally write reflections.
Teachers could extend with a writing prompt such as:
“Explain how the scientific concept in your chosen video applies to your summer experiences.”
Videos involving waves, fireworks, sunscreen, and sand formation lend themselves to quantitative extensions (frequency, intensity, ratios, modeling).
The “physics of guitar” video supports STEAM connections with music theory and sound engineering.
Fireworks & wave physics can be extended into color theory and visual design.
The “what if we killed all mosquitoes?” video prompts discussion about global health, ecology, and ethics.
NGSS Alignment (with CCCs & SEPs)
Although this resource is not a traditional lab or investigation, each option explores real scientific phenomena aligned with NGSS core ideas.
(Not all videos hit all standards; these represent the range across topics.)
MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2 – Wave properties (sound, guitar, ocean waves)
MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4 – Ecosystem dynamics (mosquito removal)
HS-PS1-2, HS-PS1-4 – Fireworks chemistry
HS-LS1-5 – Photosynthesis & solar radiation (UV/sunscreen, Sun 101)
HS-ESS1-1 – Solar system & sun structure (Sun 101)
HS-ESS2-3 – Sediment formation (why sand is the same)
MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2 – Earth materials (sand/sea shells)
MS-LS1-1, MS-LS1-2 – Structure/function (how seashells form)
Analyzing and Interpreting Data – Students extract meaning from visuals & narrated explanations.
Constructing Explanations – Students answer questions demonstrating understanding of each phenomenon.
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information – Core practice for the whole choice board.
Cause & Effect – Each video explains cause-effect relationships (ex: firework colors, wave motion).
Energy & Matter – Sunscreen, fire, sound waves, ice cream chemistry.
Structure & Function – Seashells, sand grains, sunscreen molecules.
Stability & Change – Mosquito ecosystem dynamics, beach erosion, sunlight & UV exposure.
Middle School (6–8)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.2 – Determine central ideas of scientific texts/media
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7 – Integrate quantitative/technical information (video content)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2 – Write explanatory responses (if extended writing is used)
High School (9–10)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.2 – Summarize key scientific details
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 – Translate visual information into understanding
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2 – Compose explanations using evidence
10 High-Interest Science Topics With Videos & Questions — Perfect for Review, Early Finishers, or Summer Enrichment.
This Google Slides lesson uses short, curated videos to explore science concepts connected to summer phenomena through a structured student-choice format. Students select from a set of video-based investigations and analyze each topic using guided questions.
Students choose from approximately ten science topics and:
watch a short, kid-friendly video
answer content-based and reasoning questions
explain the scientific mechanisms behind familiar summer-related events
Topics include examples such as:
how fireworks produce color and sound
ecological consequences of eliminating mosquitoes
the science of campfires
how guitars produce sound
how beaches form
and other summer-themed science phenomena
The lesson is organized as a choice board, with a recommended number of activities to complete while allowing flexibility based on time and instructional goals.
This lesson is designed to support:
application of science concepts to everyday contexts
explanation of real-world phenomena
engagement through structured student choice
short-form analysis of multimedia science sources
It functions well as:
an end-of-year science activity
an enrichment or review task
a low-prep digital choice board lesson
The format allows students to explore multiple science ideas while practicing explanation and interpretation rather than passive viewing.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SCHOOL/DISTRICT ALLOWS YOUTUBE ACCESS BEFORE PURCHASE.
Middle School (Grades 7–8) – Highly appropriate
High School (Grades 9–10) – Works well as fun review or supplemental activity
To preview this lesson, click here.
Because each choice board item is video-based and conceptual, it naturally supports multiple subjects:
Students must synthesize video content, answer comprehension questions, and may optionally write reflections.
Teachers could extend with a writing prompt such as:
“Explain how the scientific concept in your chosen video applies to your summer experiences.”
Videos involving waves, fireworks, sunscreen, and sand formation lend themselves to quantitative extensions (frequency, intensity, ratios, modeling).
The “physics of guitar” video supports STEAM connections with music theory and sound engineering.
Fireworks & wave physics can be extended into color theory and visual design.
The “what if we killed all mosquitoes?” video prompts discussion about global health, ecology, and ethics.
NGSS Alignment (with CCCs & SEPs)
Although this resource is not a traditional lab or investigation, each option explores real scientific phenomena aligned with NGSS core ideas.
(Not all videos hit all standards; these represent the range across topics.)
MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2 – Wave properties (sound, guitar, ocean waves)
MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4 – Ecosystem dynamics (mosquito removal)
HS-PS1-2, HS-PS1-4 – Fireworks chemistry
HS-LS1-5 – Photosynthesis & solar radiation (UV/sunscreen, Sun 101)
HS-ESS1-1 – Solar system & sun structure (Sun 101)
HS-ESS2-3 – Sediment formation (why sand is the same)
MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2 – Earth materials (sand/sea shells)
MS-LS1-1, MS-LS1-2 – Structure/function (how seashells form)
Analyzing and Interpreting Data – Students extract meaning from visuals & narrated explanations.
Constructing Explanations – Students answer questions demonstrating understanding of each phenomenon.
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information – Core practice for the whole choice board.
Cause & Effect – Each video explains cause-effect relationships (ex: firework colors, wave motion).
Energy & Matter – Sunscreen, fire, sound waves, ice cream chemistry.
Structure & Function – Seashells, sand grains, sunscreen molecules.
Stability & Change – Mosquito ecosystem dynamics, beach erosion, sunlight & UV exposure.
Middle School (6–8)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.2 – Determine central ideas of scientific texts/media
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7 – Integrate quantitative/technical information (video content)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2 – Write explanatory responses (if extended writing is used)
High School (9–10)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.2 – Summarize key scientific details
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 – Translate visual information into understanding
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2 – Compose explanations using evidence
