biology
Heat Transfer
Tweet Another simple thermal energy investigation. An important aspect of thermal energy is Heat Transfer, and older primary school students can begin to understand the concept of insulation and heat transfer as it relates to thermal energy. You will need: A number of different materials, perhaps including… a metal pie plate a fleece-lined sweatshirt an [...]
Experimenting With Naked Eggs or: Naked Eggs Part Two
Tweet If you made naked eggs in Naked Eggs Part One you can now experiment with them in Naked Eggs Part Two! Find out about osmosis – the movement of water across a membrane. You will need: at least 2 naked eggs, containers large enough to hold a single egg and some liquid (coffee mugs [...]
Mutant Marshmallows
Tweet In the microwave, an ordinary marshmallow will puff up until it’s enormous! You Will Need: marshmallows paper plates or paper towels microwave oven toothpicks (if you want) food colouring (if you want)…and adult supervision. Instructions Put two marshmallows on a paper plate or paper towel. Put the plate in the microwave. Set the timer [...]
Bird in the Cage
Tweet Following on nicely from the Thaumotrope Illusion… You will need: 4 white posterboards or pieces of paper bright red, green and blue coloured paper black marker pen scissors Adult help. Instructions: Cut the same simple shape, such a bird or a fish, from each of the three coloured papers. Glue each shape on [...]
DNA Detective
Tweet See your own DNA You Will Need Water A squirt of washing up liquid 1/2 a tsp of salt 1 tsp of ice cold ethanol methylated spirits or rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) Two cups A clear container with a lid Instructions Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in half a cup of water. Add a [...]
Racing Lolly Sticks
Tweet How do you make a lolly stick race across water? Would you believe me if I told you all you needed was a drop of washing up liquid? You will need: Water and a large container – we used our water table, but you could even do it in the bath. Washing up liquid [...]
Make a Duck Caller
Tweet Imitate the sounds of nature with a simple straw and some vibrating ingenuity. Your kids will be amazed by the sounds they can produce by doing this easy kids’ science experiment. Best for older kids, above 7 probably, as the cutting needs to be done carefully and the technique of making the noise may [...]
How Does Acid Keep Apples Fresh?
Tweet Apples and pears are great for snacks or to have as a side dish for dinner. But keeping them looking white and delicious after they have been sliced can be tricky. Try this experiment to see how chemistry can keep your apples and pears fresh even after they have been sliced. You will need: [...]
A Very Simple Rainbow for a Sunny Day
Tweet There are lots of ways to make the spectrum colours appear. Here is a really simple one. You will need Water A sunny day! A white wall A small mirror A shallow dish Instructions Put some water in a shallow dish. Prop up a small mirror in the water at an angle. Place [...]
Watch TV…upside down on a piece of paper!
Tweet You can make an image with your magnifying glass of almost anything: a window with the sun shining through it, a tree outside in the garden, or even the dog in your neighbour’s garden. However, these are rather boring things to look at, especially when your home or school contains something much more entertaining. [...]