Science Fun With Your Child

Children love science because there is so much opportunity to use everyday objects and perform experiments to ease learning. It is a fact that we learn when we do, and rather than reading about it, it is best to have a child experience the learning by doing it themselves. Then, of course, the best part is the “ah-ha” moment you get from them which is undeniably the best feeling for a teacher or a parent.

One experiment that is easy to do with children, and can be done at home or in school, is the “Hurricane in A Jar”. This is best done along with a unit on weather, or when your community may be experiencing or getting ready for a hurricane. In my classroom, we did this as part of a unit on Hurricanes for our annual science convention we called STREAMS (https://ellyelementary.wordpress.com/STREAMS-convention)

After children do research and learn what a hurricane is, while studying some past devastating hurricanes such as Andrew, Sandy and Katrina, they are ready to make their own and see how the atmosphere works and how a hurricane is formed.

Hurricane in a Jar Ingredients:

. dishwashing soap with Glycol Stearate (Softsoap is recommended)

. water

. food coloring

(we add paper and garbage so that when we shake the glass jar, we see garbage and debris flying around.)

Step-By-Step Directions for Hurricane in a Jar:

. Fill jar approximately 1/3 full of soap. Add water to fill up the rest of the space. When water gets to the top, keep it running until all the bubbles overflow and are gone.

. Add 1-2 drops of food coloring. Screw the cap on TIGHTLY and SHAKE!

. Shake upside down and side to side. The liquid inside will look like a hurricane once you get it spinning.

My students have loved this project in school and have often done again at home with their parents. This is a great experiment to assign because it does not burden parents with buying any supplies as all of ingredients (except maybe the food coloring) is found in their homes.

Sink or Float Experimenting

Students learning about objects that float and those that sink will be kept busy with this activity for a long time. Using a basin of water, test different objects around the classroom or at home to see if they will sink or float.

After each one, have child write down why they think that item sank or floated. Once you have enough examples, the child can come with different “made up” objects, made out of household objects like toilet paper rolls, paper clips, etc., and guess whether they will sink or float before putting into the water.

You should keep a chart of objects that you test and have child determine why if floated or not. After awhile, the child should conclude what makes an object sink or float.

Dissolving Liquids

What makes something dissolve in a liquid? Why is it that when we mix iced tea powder in water it becomes a drink? What characteristics of the powder make it dissolvable?

First, make a glass of ice tea or lemonade using powder having child stir until it dissolves. Then, make a list of other food type products you want to test to see if they dissolve. Some examples are oil, honey, sugar, mustard, just to name a few. Have the child predict whether or not they will dissolve and then test each one. After testing many different products, discuss what properties the items that dissolved have versus the items that did not dissolve. This experiment can lead to many discussions on what dissolves and can be a starting point for many future discussions, especially when cooking or preparing meals for your child.

These are just a few ways to bond with your child, while seeing the sparks of learning and understanding, as they enjoy doing science experiments with you. They will be so excited and should even take pictures to share with their classmates. These are some fun ways to enjoy time at home with your child during the pandemic and show your interest in lifelong learning with them. Take a look at my product on TeachersPayTeachers.com with more science experiments you can do at home or in school with your class. (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fun-Science-Experiments-for-Primary-Students-5991573)

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on your social media and send it to someone you think will like it too!!