Solids, Liquids, & Gases Station Lab - MS

Keep your middle school students engaged, curious, and learning with this modular, student-led activity on solids, liquids, and gases.
This comprehensive, ready-to-use resource saves you a ton of prep time while giving students the opportunity to take ownership of their learning through exploration, discussion, and application.

In this station lab, students will identify and compare the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases, learning how particle arrangement, motion, and energy define each state of matter.
Perfect for in-class or virtual learning, this differentiated resource fits seamlessly into your middle school physical science curriculum.

This Solids, Liquids, and Gases Station Lab is also part of the Solids, Liquids, and Gases 5E Lesson Plan, which includes editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, student projects, assessments, and more—everything you need for a complete chemistry unit.

Texas Teachers: This station lab aligns with the 2017 TEKS and will not be updated for the 2021 standards.

Differentiated, Modular, and Student-Led

Each station lab includes eight differentiated activities that create a personalized learning experience for every student, plus a ninth Challenge Station for early finishers.
In this student-centered model, the teacher facilitates learning rather than directing it, guiding students as they work independently or collaboratively to explore concepts.

The nine modular stations include all signage, resources, readings, and task cards so that students can complete activities smoothly and successfully.
The Explore It! station may require a few common materials you likely already have in your lab.

Ready for In-Class or Virtual Learning

This resource is designed for maximum flexibility.
Students can complete the stations in person or online, and all digital files are fully compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making setup easy in any learning environment.

The Stations

Input Stations – Learn and Explore

Students explore new concepts about solids, liquids, and gases through multimodal learning experiences.

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration or activity that connects real-world examples to scientific concepts. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

• Read It! – Short, accessible reading passage with vocabulary and comprehension questions. Differentiated passages are available in English and Spanish for varied reading levels.

• Research It! – Guided online activity where students collect data, explore examples, and answer questions about matter and particle motion.

• Watch It! – Short, focused video with comprehension and reflection questions that connect visual learning to key concepts.

Output Stations – Apply and Demonstrate Understanding

Students demonstrate what they’ve learned through interactive, creative, and analytical tasks that reinforce mastery.

• Organize It! – Sort and classify examples using printable manipulatives or digital drag-and-drop tools.

• Illustrate It! – Draw or model the arrangement and motion of particles in solids, liquids, and gases to strengthen understanding and recall.

• Write It! – Respond to open-ended prompts using academic vocabulary and complete sentences.

• Assess It! – Apply knowledge through task cards and written reflections using key vocabulary in context.

Bonus Station – Challenge It!

Perfect for early finishers and advanced learners, this extension station includes crosswords, games, and mini-projects that extend learning and encourage creative application of concepts.

Why Teachers Love This Resource

• Comprehensive and ready to use – minimal prep required

• Differentiated and student-centered – supports learners at every level

• Flexible – perfect for traditional, blended, or virtual classrooms

• Engaging and multimodal – connects scientific theory with real-world examples

• Compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides – easy to assign and use in any environment

This is a finished product; it will be updated with formatting or corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.