Physics Is Fun! Chemistry Is Cool! Easy Experiments to Ease Into Science

Please have your child/ren bring the following items to class.  Look around your house and gather them in a container for easy use.  If you do not have an item, look for something similar.  Learners will need a pencil and the recording sheet provided to mark their predictions and results of their experiment.

Week of Jan 12th:  Magnetism:  various magnets in size and strength, various items to test: rock, sponge, cork, rubberband, aluminum foil, handful of paperclips (we will see how many we can pick up with each magnet) (same with pennies if you have them), piece of paper, scissors, plastic spoon, metal spoon, wooden spoon, popsicle sticks or toothpicks, 2-3 other items of their choice 

Week of Jan. 19th:  Density: large, deep container filled with water for testing which items sink or float; rock, sponge, cork, plastic lid (from milk or water bottle), aluminum foil, rubberband, paperclips, penny, piece of paper, scissors, plastic spoon, metal spoon, wooden spoon, popsicle stick or toothpick, 2-3 other items of their choice, towel to clean up spilled water, (tray or towel to set wet items on)

Week of Jan. 26th:  Surface Tension:  plate, cup of water to fill plate, black pepper, dish soap, napkin or paper towel, small bowl filled with water, aluminum foil, paper clip, penny, toothpick, plastic spoon, and eye / medicine dropper to count drops of water

Week of Feb. 2:  Light:  flashlight, clear plastic wrap, wax paper, aluminum foil (all cut to be able to fit over the flashlight - big enough to hold and cover the light).  I would like each learner to bring to class 2-3 items each that they: can see through clearly, can see a little bit but cannot tell details, and cannot see through at all.  I will ask them to show me the items they collected that are 'transparent' 'translucent'  and 'opaque' after we talk about these terms.  

Week of Feb. 9:  Making a Rainbow using Density:  I will demonstrate this experiment but learners may also try it.  If so, they will need a tall, narrow, clear glass or bottle, honey, food coloring, rubbing alcohol, vegetable or olive oil, water,  and dish soap.

Week of Feb. 16th:  Types of Matter:  Solid, Liquid, Gas:  glass or bowl with an ice cube to observe, 2 different clear glasses of different shapes or sizes, water, 1 or 2 balloons, empty water or small soda bottle, vinegar, baking soda

Week of Feb. 23:  Physical Properties:  paper, scissors, glue, markers or crayons, glass of water

Week of Mar. 2:  Chemical Changes:  water bottle, baking soda, balloon, vinegar

Week of Mar 7:  Physical Changes:  dropper or spoon, vinegar, 6 types of white household powders including baking soda (such as baking powder, flour, sugar, baby powder,...)

Week of Mar 14:  Making Rainbows:   2 cups of water, paper towel, markers, Skittles, water, bowl or paper plate

Week of Mar 21:  Physical & Chemical Changes  vinegar, pennies, salt, bowl, paper towel, 3 containers filled half full with water,
food coloring, 3 containers: 1 containing bleach, 1 containing vinegar, 1 containing hydrogen peroxide, 3 droppers / spoons

Week of March 28 :  Weather Part 1  Seasons and Wind    large plastic container filled with lukewarm water, blue ice cubes, red food coloring; empty water bottle, balloon, container of warm water

Week of April 4:  No Class Easter Break

Week of April 11:  Weather Part 2  Rain  cup of water, clear cup, food coloring, shaving cream (optional eye dropper); hot water, glass jar, (optional hair spray), plate, ice

Week of April 18:  Weather Part 3  Air Pressure  bowl of water, cup, crumpled paper, tissue or napkin;  empty water bottle, piece of paper; hot water, cold water, bowl to catch water, empty water bottle with lid

Week of April 25:  Weather Part 4: Storms- tornadoes and hurricanes:  bowl of water, food coloring, shaving cream; water bottle filled most of the way with water, glitter, dish soap;  I'd like to try experimenting with different sizes of jars to discover the best size and shape for getting a good vortex. Does a wider spaghetti sauce jar work better than a water bottle?  Would a taller liter bottle work better than a gravy jar?   (Hint:  make sure to have a taller one.  Regular water bottles are okay but don't have enough height.)

Week of May 2:  Weather Part 5:  Storms - Snowballs & Blizzards:  jar with baby oil or another oil about ¾ way full, 1-2 tsp white paint or small bottle of white craft paint, water, bowl, spoon, white or clear glitter, piece of Alka Seltzer; We will be making snow.  You can make any of the three recipes!  One uses (cold or frozen) corn starch and lotion, another uses water and cold or frozen baking soda (or room temperature is fine) and the third uses cold or frozen baking soda and shaving cream.  Glitter and scents are optional.  We'll also end with adding vinegar to our snow and see what happens.

Week of May 9:  Static Electricity - balloons, salt, pepper, little pieces of paper, aluminum can, cloth, paper towel, (wool cloth if possible) plastic, metal, and wooden spoons.  We will be trying to see how much static electricity we can produce and what we can pick up.  Which items produce the best static?  How strong will the static be and how long will it last?  Other ideas are paper clips. pencil shavings, small pieces of thread or yarn