One of the best parts of this project is that kids can learn about science while painting.  You can use all metal pieces, or you can mix in some things that the magnet can’t move like glass marbles or small plastic items.  Observe how each of the metal pieces move differently.  Some were too heavy, and some may not move at all. Materials Bar or wand magnet Various metal items like ball bearings, springs & screws, paper clips, broken chains, springs Various non-metal items like marbles Paper Large plastic tray or box Tempera paint/craft paint Cups or palette to dip the metal ..read more

April is Earth Month! During April, let’s learn about the importance of using water intentionally.  Water is the main source of life. We use it all the time. Not only does our body need it to stay hydrated, but it is our number one tool at home. We clean ourselves, our clothes, and our home with it, we cook with it, and sometimes, we even play with it! Water is a great sensory material for young children. Most families around the world get water directly from their tap, which makes life so much easier. However, it is important to use water consciously so that the planet doesn’t suffer.&nb ..read more

Explore how plants and trees breathe with this easy leaf science experiment and cool outdoor STEAM activity to help kids learn about photosynthesis and respiration. You are going to create an environment where you can actually SEE photosynthesis taking place – the oxygen/carbon dioxide process of plants!  This activity is very interesting for two reasons: First, kids don’t always think of plants and trees as ‘living’ things, so this helps them to visualize that concept. Second, it’s a way to actually see something that is normally invisible!  In this experiment, you will use a tree l ..read more

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!   Learn about the importance of good oral hygiene with this fun at-home STEAM activity, Plaque Attack!  Plaque is a sticky film that forms on our teeth every day. It is the slippery/fuzzy coating you feel on your teeth when you first wake up. Scientists call plaque “biofilm.” Biofilm grows from the sugars in the foods we eat. Brushing and flossing your teeth will remove plaque, so don’t forget… Brush and floss your teeth daily and visit your dentist regularly! Materials 2 Clear Plastic Cups 2 Packets of Yeast 1 Tablespoon of ..read more

This January, let’s create an exploding snowman!  This outrageously fun exploding snowman is a winter science experiment for kids of all ages. This exploding snowman experiment is a super simple chemical reaction experiment using common materials you already have in your kitchen! Materials White vinegar  Baking soda Resealable sandwich bag  Paper towel  Measuring cup and spoons Blue food coloring (optional) Bowl or tray to put bag in  Black and orange sharpie or construction paper to make snowman face  Procedure Make a snowman face on your bag. Put 3 teaspoons ..read more

This December, let’s create a snowstorm in a jar!  It may be cold in most of the country right now, but that doesn’t mean everyone has snow. Here in the Sunshine State, you can bring the snow right to you with this fun snowstorm in a jar science experiment. With just a few materials, you can teach kids all about snowstorms, gases, and chemical reactions. Materials Baby oil White tempera (water-based) paint Glitter (optional) Antacid tablets Tall jar Tray or plate to place jar on Procedure Pour about 2 inches of water into the bottom of your jar. Add enough white paint to make it look l ..read more

This October, let’s conduct a science experiment using glow sticks!  Playing with glow sticks is a fun, hands-on way for your young scientist to see how energy can be transformed from stored chemical energy to light energy. By simply submerging the glowing sticks in water your child can observe how brightness produced by the chemical reaction changes, depending on the temperature.  Materials: 3 or more glow sticks that are the same color and size At least 2 Styrofoam cups  A thermometer (optional) Ice  Kitchen tongs Permanent marker  Procedure: Give your child a glo ..read more

This September, let’s uncover the science behind dancing cranberries! After preparing the cranberries and clear cup of soda, your little learner will quickly observe how hundreds of tiny bubbles attach to the wrinkled surface of the dried cranberries. The bubbles from the carbonated drink are filled with carbon dioxide. They are lighter than the water, so they float to the surface. When enough bubbles cling to the sides of the cranberries, they bring the cranberries with them, as if they were wearing little life preservers! The bubbles of carbon dioxide pop at the surface causing the cranberri ..read more

When you boil 2 cups of sugar with only 1 cup of water, you create a supersaturated solution. In a supersaturated solution, there is more solute (sugar) than the solvent (water) should be able to dissolve. By heating the mixture, however, you force more sugar to dissolve in the water than would be possible at room temperature. The resulting solution is unstable, but completely liquid! As this heated sugar solution cools and rests, the sugar cannot remain dissolved as a liquid. Instead, the sugar comes out of solution and forms solid crystals in a process known as precipitation. Sugar crystal p ..read more

Materials (Per Child): Different colored square pieces of paper 6 ice cubes Procedure: Ahead of time: Make small ice cubes, enough for each child to have 6. Put one ice cube on each color and place them all in the sun. Make sure all the ice cubes are exposed to FULL sunlight. Observe as the ice cubes melt – which melts the fastest and which melts the slowest? On warm days, stay and watch. On colder days, come back and check the experiment in 10 minutes. Questions to Ask: During set up: Which ice cube do you think will melt the most quickly/slowly? Why? How will you know that the ice cube ..read more