Middle School Science Field Investigations Bundle | Outdoor Labs

Take science beyond the classroom walls with the NGS Magnified Field Investigations Bundle, a complete collection of outdoor science investigations for Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science.

Designed specifically for middle school students, these hands-on investigations transform the schoolyard, playground, sidewalk, courtyard, or nearby green space into an outdoor science laboratory. Instead of only reading about science concepts, students step into the role of field scientists as they observe real-world phenomena, collect measurements, gather evidence, analyze data, identify patterns, and use scientific reasoning to explain what they discover.

This bundle includes all three NGS Magnified Field Investigation collections:

• Life Science Field Investigations
• Earth Science Field Investigations
• Physical Science Field Investigations

Together, they provide field-based experiences that can be used throughout the school year to reinforce concepts across the major middle school science disciplines.

⭐Why Take Science Outside?

Students don't need a specialized field site to do authentic science. Changes in temperature across different surfaces, organisms living in tiny microhabitats, cracks in pavement, shadows, soil, weather, sound, forces, erosion, and countless other phenomena are happening right outside the classroom door.

These investigations help students begin to see their everyday surroundings differently—as places filled with questions worth investigating.

Students practice important science and engineering skills as they:

• Make careful observations
• Measure and collect quantitative data
• Record qualitative evidence
• Develop and test ideas
• Compare variables
• Identify patterns and relationships
• Analyze and interpret results
• Construct evidence-based explanations
• Apply classroom concepts to real-world phenomena
• Think and work like scientists

⭐What's Included

✔ Complete Life Science Field Investigations collection

✔ Complete Earth Science Field Investigations collection

✔ Complete Physical Science Field Investigations collection

✔ Ready-to-use Teacher Guides

✔ Student Investigation/Lab Sheets

✔ Discussion & Analysis Questions

✔ Complete Answer Keys

✔ NGSS- and TEKS-supported investigations

✔ Low-prep activities using accessible, inexpensive materials

✔ Field-based experiences designed for typical school campuses

✔ Opportunities for observation, measurement, data collection, analysis, and scientific reasoning

 

⭐Life Science Investigations Explore Topics Such As:

• Scientific observation and field skills
• Ecosystems and microhabitats
• Populations and biodiversity
• Plant structure and function
• Photosynthesis
• Organisms and their environments
• Adaptations
• Natural selection
• Decomposition
• Seed dispersal
• Predator-prey relationships
• Animal behavior and sensory responses

 

⭐Earth Science Investigations Explore Topics Such As:

• Weather and climate
• Earth's atmosphere
• Surface processes
• Weathering and erosion
• Earth's history
• The rock cycle
• Astronomy
• Sun angles and solar energy
• Geologic change
• Patterns in Earth's systems

 

⭐Physical Science Investigations Explore:

• Nature of Science
• Introduction to Physics and Chemistry
• Forces & Motion
• Energy, Work, and Simple Machines
• Matter
• Chemical Bonds and Equations
• Thermal Energy
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Waves
• The Periodic Table
• Solutions, Acids, and Bases
• Sound and Light

 

⭐Designed for Real Classrooms

You do not need access to a forest, nature preserve, or elaborate outdoor classroom to use these investigations. Activities are designed for real school campuses and can be completed in a variety of outdoor spaces.

Many investigations use simple materials teachers may already have on hand, such as rulers, measuring tapes, thermometers, clipboards, hand lenses, timers, cups, string, and other inexpensive classroom supplies.

 

⭐Use Them Throughout the Year

The investigations can be used as:

• Full laboratory experiences
• Outdoor extensions of classroom lessons
• Inquiry activities
• Phenomenon-based lesson launches
• Concept reinforcement
• Review activities
• Field science days
• Enrichment activities
• End-of-unit investigations
• End-of-year science experiences

 

Each investigation connects science content with something students can actually observe, measure, test, or experience.

While the investigations coordinate with the NGS Magnified Life, Earth, and Physical Science Curricula, they are completely flexible and can be used with any middle school science program.

Terms of Use:

Copyright ©NGS Magnified, LLC, (DBA NGS Magnified). All rights reserved by author Dr. Erica Colón. This product is intended for use by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Clipart and elements found in this PDF are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY.