Physical Science (Grade 2) introduces students to foundational concepts in movement, simple machines, states of matter, buoyancy, magnetism, and temperature through hands‑on, inquiry‑based experiments. Students learn how inclined planes, wedges, screws, levers, pulleys, and wheels and axles make everyday tasks easier. They explore solids, liquids, and gases; investigate mixing materials; test buoyancy and watercraft stability; and examine magnetic attraction, polarity, and strength. The resource also includes lessons on heating, cooling, and insulation, helping students understand how temperature affects matter.

Throughout this resource, students follow the scientific method—predicting, observing, recording, and concluding—mirroring the structure described in the introduction (“Record all the observations… Draw a conclusion”). The activities emphasize communication, safety, and real‑world applications, supporting STEM skill development and environmental awareness. The resource aligns with all Canadian provincial Grade 2 science standards, NGSS Grade 2 performance expectations, and Common Core literacy and measurement skills.

The 15 experiments relate to four aspects of physical science:

• Movement: Properties of Solids, Liquids, and Gases
• Buoyancy and Boats
• Magnets
• Hot and Cold Temperature

In each section, you will find teacher notes designed to provide you guidance with the learning intention, the success criteria, materials needed, a lesson outline, as well as provide some insight on what results to expect when the experiments are conducted. Suggestions for differentiation are also included so that all students can be successful in the learning environment.  

Teacher Notes:

• Table of Contents
• At A Glance – Learning Expectations
• Teacher Rubric
• Student Rubric
• Introduction  

15 experiments:

Experiment One: The Inclined Plane

• Students will learn how the inclined plane is used in daily life to make tasks easier by moving an object from one elevation to another. 

Experiment Two: The Wedge

• Students will learn how the wedge is used to lift or split things apart. 

Experiment Three: The Screw

• Students will learn how a screw works as a simple machine to fasten things together. 

Experiment Four: Levers

• Students will learn how levers work to move or lift heavy things. 

Experiment Five: The Pulley

• Students will learn how a pulley makes lifting objects easier. 

Experiment Six: Wheel And Axle

• Students will learn how a wheel and axle work together to make moving an object easier. 

Experiment Seven: Compound Machines

• Students will learn how simple machines work together in many objects we use each day to make everyday tasks easier.

Experiment Eight: Solids, Liquids, Gases

• Students will learn about the properties of solid materials, liquids, and gases. 

Experiment Nine: Mixing It Up!

• Students will learn about the interactions of solids and liquids, and how water is interchangeable from a solid, a liquid, and a gas. 

Experiment Ten: Sink Or Float?

• Students will learn about the buoyancy of different materials and use this knowledge to design and build a floater.  

Experiment Eleven: Ships Ahoy!

• Students will learn about stability, load carrying, and how watercraft can be propelled. 

Experiment Twelve: Magnetism

• Students will learn that magnets attract certain materials, and that same type poles repel while opposite poles attract. 

Experiment Thirteen: Magnetic Strength

• Students will learn about the effects of magnetic strength and how magnets move and hold things together. 

Experiment Fourteen: Hot And Cold Temperature

• Students will use a thermometer to measure temperature and learn to describe temperature using expressions such as hotter than or colder than. 

Experiment Fifteen: Insulators

• Students will learn how insulation is used to keep things hot or cold.

 Standards Alignment Review

U.S. Standards Alignment

NGSS – Next Generation Science Standards (Grade 2)

2‑PS1‑1 – Properties of materials

2‑PS1‑2 – Testing materials

2‑PS1‑3 – Combining materials

2‑PS3‑1 – Effects of sunlight/heat

2‑PS3‑2 – Motion & forces

K‑2 ETS1 – Engineering design (boats, watercraft stability)

The resource includes experiments on buoyancy, stability, simple machines, mixing materials, heating/cooling, and magnetism—matching NGSS performance expectations.

Common Core (ELA & Math Connections)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8 – Recall information from experiments

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1–2.4 – Collaborative discussions, presenting findings CCSS.MATH.MEASUREMENT – Measuring distance, mass, temperature

The resource repeatedly requires students to record data in charts, measure distances, weigh objects, and communicate results.

Canadian Standards Alignment

Ontario – Grade 2 Science & Technology (2022 Curriculum)

Strand A: STEM Skills & Connections

• A1.1–A1.5: Predicting, observing, investigating, recording, concluding Matches repeated use of prediction, charts, diagrams, and conclusions.
• A2: Safety procedures “Recognize and apply safety procedures in the classroom.”

Strand B: Matter & Energy

• B2.1: Properties of solids, liquids, gases
• B2.2: Changes of state
• B2.3: Heat & temperature
• B2.4: Insulation
• B2.5: Simple machines All appear explicitly in the resource (inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, pulley, wheel & axle, compound machines).

British Columbia – Grade 2 Science

• Big Ideas:
• Materials have properties and behaviours
• Forces influence motion
• Heat affects matter
• Curricular Competencies:
• Questioning, predicting, observing, measuring, recording, communicating All competencies appear throughout the experiment‑based structure.

Alberta – Grade 2 Science

• Topic A: Exploring Liquids
• Topic B: Hot & Cold Temperatures
• Topic C: Magnetism
• Topic D: Wheels & Levers Perfect match with the resource’s sections on magnets, temperature, simple machines, and states of matter.

Saskatchewan – Grade 2 Science

• Physical Science: Motion, Forces, Materials, Heat
• Inquiry & Communication Skills

Manitoba – Grade 2 Science

• Cluster 3: Motion
• Cluster 4: States of Matter
• Cluster 1: Materials & Interactions
• Scientific Inquiry Skills

Nova Scotia – Grade 2 Science

• Properties of Materials
• Forces & Motion
• Heat & Temperature
• Magnetism

New Brunswick – Grade 2 Science

• Forces & Simple Machines
• Matter & Materials
• Heat & Temperature
• Magnetism

Prince Edward Island – Grade 2 Science

• Simple Machines
• States of Matter
• Heat & Temperature
• Magnetism

Newfoundland & Labrador – Grade 2 Science

• Forces & Motion
• Properties of Materials
• Heat & Temperature
• Magnetism

Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut: Follow BC or Alberta curricula → fully aligned.

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