Embedded Files
These hands-on experiments are meant to be done in classrooms or at home. They all follow the same format, which includes a worksheet that guides the student to some self discovery about the concept, followed by an experiment that can be done with common household items. Each experiment is heavy on video instructions. The experiments try to be more than just demonstration activities. Some stress data collection and improving measurements, while others focus on graphing results and interpreting data. The best way to use them is with a good deal of discussion along the way.
They are listed here in the recommended order of completion. Some go well together, but there are no rules! Choose the ones that work for your situation.
Prior to doing the experiments, read this short introduction to units: A Note About Units
Density of Solids
Density of Solids
Measure and calculate densities of common objects and predict if they will float! Calculate the volumes of cubes, cylinders, and spheres in a longer worksheet that introduces the idea of a ratio, and stresses why ratios are useful.
*Best if done as the first of three experiments with Density of Liquids and Viscosity.
Density of Fluids
Density of Fluids
Introduces concepts of fluids and density. Learn how to measure density, how a hydrometer works, and how to make a simple hydrometer!
*Best if done as the second of three experiments with Density of Solids and Viscosity.
Viscosity
Viscosity
Introduces the concept of viscosity! A shorter worksheet with emphasis on measuring viscosity and an experiment.
*Best if done as the third of three experiments with Density of Solids and Density of Liquids.
Pressure vs. Depth
Pressure vs. Depth
Introduces the concept of pressure and why it changes with depth.
*Best if done as the first of two experiments with Atmospheric Pressure.
Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric Pressure
A shorter worksheet that builds on Pressure vs. Depth experiment. Emphasis is on graphing the results, selecting an appropriate scale for the axes, plotting points, and using a best fit line to determine a value beyond the range measured.
Special Requirements:
Requires a smartphone and a free app to access the phone's sensors.
Requires a flight of stairs, minimum of one story, but more is better.
*Best if done as the second of two experiments with Pressure vs Depth.
Work and Power
Work and Power
Introduces the concepts of work and power.
Special Requirements:
Requires a flight of stairs.
Period of a Pendulum
Period of a Pendulum
Introduces the concepts of equilibrium and periodic motion, including the terms period and amplitude. The emphasis of this experiment is on taking measurements and reducing measurement errors.
For really advanced students, there is a follow up activity that involves using a spreadsheet program to fit a curve and verify the formula for the period of a pendulum (to do this we use the fact that a square root is the same as raising something to the 0.5 power).
Forces, Torque, and Mechanical Advantage
Forces, Torque, and Mechanical Advantage
Introduces the concepts of simple machines and mechanical advantage, has students make a simple spring scale and balance to measure torque.
Sound
Sound
Introduces the idea of standing waves, nodes, and anti-nodes with a follow up activity that includes making a graph and finding the slope of a best fit line.
Special Requirements:
Requires a smartphone and a free app that generates tones. A set of tuning forks could be used instead of the smartphone/app combo.
Requires careful listening and a quiet environment. For classroom settings, may be best if you can use a large multipurpose room or have some students go outside.
Centripetal Force
Centripetal Force
Introduces the concepts of inertia and centripetal force with a follow up activity that includes making a graph and finding the slope of a best fit line.
Special Requirements:
Requires swinging something around over head. For classroom settings, may be best if you can use a large multipurpose room or have some students go outside.
Additional Links
Additional Links
Science Links for Kids:
Great planetarium shows specifically geared for elementary school aged kids. The website has a list of shows and appropriate age groups.
Exploratorium - Science Explorer
Exploratorium - Hands On Activities
Great stuff from the folks at the Exploratorium! Lots of at-home experiment ideas with common household items.
Free Activities and Worksheets!
Hands-on activities combined with cliff-hanger stories that kids love. They provide afterschool, homeschool, and summer programs. They will even come to your school. Check the website for their fee structure.
Get your kids excited about reading with these tips. Check out the entire RIF site for other great reading tips and ideas.
Science Music for Kids:
Their CD "Here Comes Science" contains 19 science songs for kids (and parents won't mind listening to them either).
Local, Santa Cruz group that produces science songs for kids. Mostly earth, ocean, and biological topics.
Science Links for Adults:
Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series
Free, non-technical talks (but more appropriate for adults) about once a month at Foothill College. Come hear the talks in person or download the podcasts.
Science Music for Adults:
Definitely NOT for kids. This group was kind enough to allow us to use their song "Bed A' Nails" in our shows and videos, so we wanted to give them a little plug. They are often compared to the group Barenaked Ladies. Check them out!
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