Matter is everywhere! It's anything that takes up space and has mass. Your pencil, the water you drink, and even the air you breathe are all examples of matter. But did you know that matter can exist in three different states? These are solids, liquids, and gases. Solids, like your pencil, have tightly packed particles that don't move much, which is why they maintain their shape. Liquids, like water, have particles that move a bit more freely, allowing them to take the shape of their container. Gases, like the air around us, have particles that move around freely. One fascinating aspect of matter is that it can change states with changes in temperature—like water boiling into steam or freezing into ice. However, no matter the state or changes it goes through, the total amount of matter stays the same. This is called the Law of Conservation of Mass. So next time you see your pencil, drink water, or take a breath, remember—the properties of matter are at work!