Science Experiments - Kid's Preschool Science Activity

Science experiments for kids do not always have to be complicated experiments. Fact is that science is all around us in simple and complex forms, from our weather, to nature to simple chemical reactions from regular household or everyday items. Science activities and learning can be fun for adults and for children as well. Science allows children to learn by doing and by observing. Senses like touch, hearing, sight, smell and taste may all be part of learning about science, depending on the purpose of the science experiment itself.

*Always exercise 'CAUTION' and have proper Supervision with any new science experiments where uncertain reactions may occur.

What you will need for this science experiment:

2 large bowls or bins 2 large chunks of ice or snow Coarse Salt or industrial salt for melting outdoor ice Chart Paper Marker
What to do for this science experiment:

Fill the two bins with the snow or ice. Ask the children who thinks the ice alone will melt more quickly, and how many children think the ice with the salt will melt more quickly. Document their answers on chart paper. Dump a handful or two of salt onto the ice in one of the bins and wait to see what happens. Document the end result and compare it with the children's answers.

How does salt make ice melt more quickly?

Answer: When the ice starts to dissolve it changes the temperature in the ice slightly, causing it to start melting faster than ice just sitting on its own. (Same answer if using snow instead of ice).

Preschool Learning Online.com has a variety of preschool activities & preschool science activities for your use.

http://www.preschoollearningonline.com/preschoolfunactivitieskids2.html

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Science Activity for Preschool Children: Flower Power

Science, this is one topic that I get the most emails about. So many early childhood educators, parents, and home child care providers draw a blank when it comes to programming for this area.

Here is a simple science activity the children will love. There are so many variations to this experiment, you could have science planned for an entire week.

Science doesn't have to be a difficult or scary subject to plan for. If you have read my other articles you will be familiar with the KISS method (Keep It Simple Silly) I use.

First I just want to very briefly talk about why science is so important to the developmental growth of children.

Science is important because it gives children the chance to freely explore the materials around them using all 5 of their senses (sight, touch, sound, taste, smell) depending on the science experiment planned.

For the science experiment in this article, the children will be able to use 4 of their senses, sight, touch, smell, and sound.

Flower Power: Science Experiment

What you will need:

3 white carnations

3 vases or tall glasses

red, blue, and green food coloring

water

What to do:

Fill each glass or vase half way with cool water. (Listen to the water pouring into the glass and ask open-ended questions like, "What sound does the water make when we pour it into the glass/vase?")

Color the water in each vase/glass a different color with food coloring. (Look at how the water changes colors. Ask open-ended questions like, "Do you think the water will darker or lighter when we add more drops of food coloring to it, and why?")

Pass the carnation around the table and have the children touch and smell it. (How does it feel? What does it smell like?")

Place one carnation in each vase/glass. (Look and see, has anything happened yet? Discuss. "What do you think might happen?")

Document how many hours or days it takes for each carnation to start to change color.

Which carnation changes color first? Which carnation changes color last?

You can also make other colors like yellow, orange, or purple for this activity and this will expand on the science experiment. The children will be able to see how colors mix and make a totally different color.

If you have the space you could color 6-8 or more carnations at a time and make a colorful bouquet to display in the classroom. You could also do a few colors a day and have science planned for a whole week.

Don't forget to take pictures to display around the room and put in a classroom picture book.

Have fun with science.

My name is Marisa and I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I have been actively practicing in the field for over 10 years and am one of the operators of the free resource website for teachers, parent's and caregivers: http://www.preschoollearningonline.com

Be sure to click the above link and visit my web site if you are looking to get more free Early Childhood Educational resources such as games, art activities, science activities, song ideas, circle time ideas, sensory ideas, snack ideas, programming ideas, printables, and so much more.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Fun Homeschool Science Activity Making Homemade Slime and Silly Putty

In the homeschool science projects that I teach, I call this "The Science of Slime." You will experience the same slimy feeling that you experience while holding a fish or a squid. Eeks!

Here are some fun homeschool science activities that you can do at home.

Bouncy Gunk

Take half a cup of water and mix a teaspoonful of Borax (found at the laundry section of your grocery store) in it. Stir the mixture vigorously with a popsicle stick. Alternatively, you can put the mixture in a glass jar with a lid and shake, shake, shake. Once the borax dissolves, add some more till it no longer dissolves. Take another cup and mix glue and water in equal proportions.

Now add a globule of this glue mixture to the borax mixture. Stir with the popsicle stick and empty the contents on the palm of your hand. Roll the mixture on your hands till it gets drier and becomes bouncy. Now let it roll onto your table and see it bounce. Pick it up and squeeze it and watch it slither through your fingers.

You can add some food coloring of your choice while preparing the slime for added effect. Involve your friends in your homeschool science activities. Place the slime in the hand of another friend who does not know what you are holding. YUCK!

Starchy Goop

Take a paper cup and add a tablespoon of liquid starch (found at the laundry section of your grocery store) to it. Add a globule of glue mixture (same as the above) to it and stir with a popsicle stick. Empty the contents on the palm of your hand and roll it from hand to hand until it gets drier. What is the difference between this and the Bouncy Gunk?

Corny Glop

Take a cup of cornstarch in a bowl. Slowly add cold water and begin mixing with your fingers. If it is too runny, mix another cup of cornstarch and mix gently with your fingers. It must not be too dry and not too wet. Now you can do different things with it. Take in on the palm of your hand and squeeze it. Cut it with a pair of scissors. Pat it with a ladle. Throw it up in the air and see how it behaves before you catch it. Have fun!

When you are not playing with your homemade slime, you can place it in a plastic zip-lock bag. Slime collects dust and dirt, and therefore remember to discard the slime when it gets dirty.

In today's homeschool science activity, you have learned about substances called polymers. Jelly, rubber bands and gum are all different types of polymers. Some polymers act as solids and we can hold them in our hands. At the same time they take the shape of the containers they are placed in, thus behaving as liquids do. Polymers that are harder are also used in parts of cell phones, spectacles and other household articles.

Do some research and find out various things made up of polymers. Learn about the molecular structure of polymers.

For your free "Homeschool Parent's Guide to Teaching Science", filled with great science experiments and activities, visit the link below.

A great free resource for really cool science experiments and activities is the Homeschool Science Experiment Guide.

Another good homeschool resource for science ideas, experiments and activities, is the homeschool science blog (just click on the Blog link). Definitely worth bookmarking.

Have Fun!

About the Author
Aurora Lipper has been teaching science to kids for over 10 years. She is also a mechanical engineer, university instructor, pilot, astronomer, a real live rocket scientist (You should see the lab in her basement!) and a mom. She has inspired thousands of kids with the fun and magic of science.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.