Science Centers

Home

Chat

Blogs

Directory

Archive : 2001 : May : 17

Science Centers
By L.P.

I'm planning on doing this at some time too. First like Brian said, I think you should change it from time to time. At the K-2 level they definitely will get tired of the same thing. Here are a few of my ideas.

1.
Will it float? Supply different objects and a basin of water so they can experiment to see what will float and what won't. Have them report their findings with a simple check off sheet. A take off on this is to have them construct their own boat or do the aluminum boat thing and see how many pennies, marbles, etc. it takes to sink it.
2. Insects. Great if you are doing a thematic

unit on them. Have students bring in insects of their choice so they can look at them with a magnifying lens or even a microscope (yikes!). Have them draw a magnified picture of their bug and hypothesize on what it eats.

3. Rocks. Bring in (or students can bring in) an assortment of rocks and have them compare the different kinds. Supply magnifying lens for close observation. They could also sort them according to type.

4. Fossils & or bones. Supply an assortment of bones or fossils for students to examine. Have them guess at what animal it came from and draw a picture of it. Would go well with a dinosaur unit.

5. Life cycles. Supply students with baggies, seeds, and cotton balls. Have students moisten the cotton balls, add seeds, seal, and observe daily to watch for sprouting. Have them keep a pictorial journal on it.

I hope these ideas will get you started. Basically any easy experiment that you might do in class that they can do on their own would work, I think. I can't wait to try it either. Good luck!