Children at NASA Goddard Science Center learning about science.
Scores from the 2006 Program for International Student Assessment, in which U.S. students lagged behind those from other countries, highlights the importance of making science engaging for U.S. students. Scientific investigations and experiments help people learn about the way things work by allowing them to test scientific theories and to observe cause-and-effect reactions. Although some science experiments require a fully equipped laboratory and detailed scientific knowledge, others can be conducted using readily available supplies. Using household materials to conduct science experiments is an interactive, fun way to help get children excited about science.
Chemical and Physical Changes
Experiment with sugar and water and the effects of heat on both by creating a super-saturated solution and using it as a "seed" to grow rock candy. Tie a piece to string to the middle of a pencil, attach a paper clip and suspend it over the top of a heat-proof jar. Boil some water and pour ¼ cup sugar into the jar and stir it until it dissolves. Continue adding sugar until it will no longer dissolve. Pour the sugar solution into the jar and immerse the paper clip and string in it. Put the jar somewhere it will not be disturbed and watch your sugar crystals grow over the next few weeks.
Watch a chemical reaction occur when you use a balloon to see that gas is created when an antacid tablet mixes with water. Fill a plastic bottle halfway with water and break an antacid tablet into pieces and drop it into the bottle. Place a balloon over the opening of the bottle and watch it inflate with air made by the water and antacid mixing together.
The Science of Matter
Experiment with sinking and floating and find out how you can actually change the environment to float an object that would normally sink. Pour warm water into two cups and label them "salt water" and "fresh water." Add as much salt as will dissolve into the "salt water" cup. Place a slice of carrot into each cup and watch what happens. Carrots usually sink in fresh water because they weigh more than the water. The addition of salt to fresh water makes the water heavier, which makes it weigh more than the carrot slice.
All magnets have two ends, known as the north and south poles. Create your own magnet using popsicle sticks, paper clips and string and watch how your poles interact with each other. Straighten out your two paper clips and glue or tape them lengthwise onto two popsicle sticks. Make a mark with a pen on one side of a popsicle stick and beginning at the mark, run a strong magnet all the way along the paperclip. Lift it, place it at the beginning and repeat this step three to ten times per paper clip. By doing this, you should create a magnet out of the paper clip. Tie a piece of string about ten to 15 cm long onto the center of the popsicle stick and adjust it so that it is balanced when you hold the string. While you hold your stick on the thread, have your partner hold the other magnetized stick and bring it close to your magnet so you can watch the poles either attract or resist each other depending on their configuration.
Tags: paper clip, fresh water, about science, antacid tablet, each other