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STEM Lab: Awesome Science Experiments!

Class
Kieran Adair
Average rating:4.6Number of reviews:(854)
In this ongoing course, students will engage in different hands-on science experiments every week using a variety of easy-to-find household materials.

Class experience

US Grade 4 - 7
Students will learn various concepts in science through hands-on experimentation.  
Homework Offered
Homework is optional and infrequent but may include finishing projects from class, or monitoring experiments completed in class, or optional add-on experiments.
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered
Week one we will be exploring Physics through flight! Students will need:
- Light cardstock or heavy-weight paper (construction paper or drawing paper can work) 
- Straws (at least 10, one for the initial project and several for experimenting/additional projects)
- Markers/crayons or other drawing/decorating implements   
- Tape 
- Scissors
- A ruler or straight edge is optional 

Week two we will be exploring Marine Biology through an oil spill clean up lab. Students will need:
- A Pan of Water (larger baking pan)
- Blue Food Coloring (optional, but fun and preferred!)
- ½ cup of Vegetable oil
- Dish Soap 
- Spoon
- Cup
-12 inches of Twine or string 
-A straw 
-Any combination of the following: 
-Cotton Balls or dry makeup remover pads
-Feathers
-Fabric (dish rag or something similar)
-Sponge 
Optional:
-Small animal toy  (something that would fit in an Easter egg) 


Week three we will be exploring Biology through a DNA lab. Students will need: 
-Dish Soap 
-Small clear glass or plastic cup, or beaker  
-Plastic bag 
-Strainer
-Tweezers, toothpick, or chopstick
-Strawberries ( other berries or apple will work as well ) 
-Measuring spoons
-Measuring cup 
-Salt 
-Chilled Isopropyl Alcohol
-Water 

Week four we will be exploring volume, density, and mass through the building of boats. Materials for this week:
-Large pan with water (9x13 cake/brownie pan, plastic bin, or a bucket will do in a pinch!) 
-Aluminum  foil
-Pile of coins or marbles (used for weight) 
-Scissors
-Cardboard box or tubes (any kind) 
-Duct tape

Week five we are exploring Physics with catapults and more! Students will need:
-Craft Sticks (Jumbo and/or regular)
-Rubber bands (several) 
-Plastic bottle cap or salad dressing cup 
-Glue
-Cotton Ball, Pom-pom, or other small lightweight objects to fling (should fit in the cap) 
-Bowl or other targets. 
-Paints and Paintbrushes (optional)

Week six is Hovercrafts! Students will need: 
-Several balloons
-Several feet or string/twine
-Scissors
-Several straws
-Tape
-Old CD/DVD
-Sports bottle top 
-Hot glue and hot glue gun OR glue the sports bottle top to the CD/DVD ahead of class! 

Week seven is Engineering, so our supply list is simple:
-Straws (package, at least 2 dozen)
-Tape
-Paper (at least a dozen sheets, recycled is fine)  or newspaper  

Some objects to provide weight for strength challenge (coins, beans etc) 
-Two large books or boxes or two similar-sized objects to create a space to build a bridge between. 

If you are out of straws popsicle sticks or skewers can be used. 
 
Week eight is an Egg Drop Experiment: It is time to raid the recycling container!  We are attempting to learn a little physics with an egg drop. 
Suggested Materials:
-Raw egg, or another payload that needs protecting.
-Containers, like cardboard tubes, cups, boxes, etc.
-External protection materials, like balloons, rubber bands, craft sticks, straws, etc.
-Internal padding, like fabric, packing materials, paper, etc.
-Pen or pencil.
-Paper.
-Tape.
-Scissors. 

Week nine we will be studying the Rock Cycle. Students will need: 
-Starburst candy (assorted colors)
- Scissors 
- blow dryer (optional) 
- tongs or something to remove melted starburst from the plate 
- Waxed paper/ parchment  
- Microwave-safe plate or bowl
- Access to microwave (or parental help with heating from an alternate source) 
- Rolling pin or heavy book

*Please note one portion of the lab will have kids heat the starburst candy to melting in the microwave for a short period of time. This can also be done in a double-boiler. Students not comfortable using the microwave can do this portion with a parent after.

Week ten we will be exploring more physics with a marble run. Students will need:
-A cardboard box (pizza box or larger or several cereal boxes or shoe boxes) Amazon boxes are great. The bigger the better! 
-Several cardboard tubes, such as paper towel or toilet paper tubes 
and/or popsicle sticks.  
-other scrap cardboard or cardstock 
-glue
-strong tape (duct tape or packing tape)
-marble or ping-pong ball. Can also use playdough or clay to roll a small ball.  
-strong scissors 

Other things that might be fun to use:
-bathroom paper cups
-straws
-paper bowl/ plate
-any scrap materials you have.

Week eleven, we will be learning a little chemistry while we do an invisible ink lab! 

While most of the basic supplies are likely found in your home already, there are optional add-on options below the basic list, Here are the materials:

-A lemon
-Whole milk or cream
-Vinegar
-Sandpaper or nail file 
-Pencil 
-Several sheets of white paper
-Q-tips or paintbrush
-White crayon or white tapered candle 
-Marker
-Water
-Spoon
-Bowl

At home after class, students can reveal their messages using heat, as this process can take up to 20 minutes. Students will need access to:  
-A lamp or light bulb, 100 watt works best or a hairdryer, iron, or stove

Optional other materials for kids that want to explore further- 
1.Red cabbage water (can be made after class if desired)- Directions chop one large red cabbage into small pieces	simmer the cabbage pieces until the water turns a deep shade of purple. Allow the water to cool. Refrigerate when not in use. Note: blackberries, red onions, or even hibiscus flowers can be used as well. 

2.Baking soda, water, and grape juice 

 
Week twelve we will be discussing states of matter with Oobleck! Materials needed are: 
-Cornstarch (one box) 
-bowl & measuring cup
-wooden spoon or equivalent 
-vegetable oil (.25 cup)
-water  
-balloon 
-food coloring  (optional, but fun!) 

Week thirteen we are learning about solar power. If you are like my house these days you have no shortage of boxes! So we are putting them to good use! The materials are very flexible, so we can work with what you have!
What You Need:
A treat to heat up. S'mores are traditional but chocolate, shredded cheese on nachos, bread with butter to toast, all work fine. 
-A cardboard pizza box (the kind delivered pizza comes in) other boxes of similar size can work students have successfully used cereal boxes, amazon boxes etc.  
-Box knife or scissors
-Aluminum foil
-Clear tape
-Plastic wrap (a heavy-duty or freezer zip lock bag will also work)
-Black or dark construction paper (black paint works but then it needs to dry so the project will not be  completed during the class) 
-Newspapers or other used paper
-Pen or marker
-Ruler, wooden spoon or stick of similar size 

Week fourteen is STEM challenge week! Materials needed are: 
-Paper (several sheets, printer paper is great, others work!) 
-Scissors 
-Tape

Week fifteen we are diving into the Solar System: Inner planets, you'll need:
-A large pack or two of multi-color rubber bands
-Paper
-Markers

Week sixteen we are diving into the Solar System: Outer planets, you'll need:
-A large pack of multi-color rubber bands
-Paper
-Markers

Week seventeen we are studying the Human Body: Heart & Lungs. Materials you need: 
-Clear plastic cup or clear plastic soda bottle 
-2 balloons
-Tape
-2 straws
-1 large balloon (needs to fit over the top of the cup)
-Modeling clay 
-Scissors 


Week eighteen we are studying Geodes and we will be making eggshell geodes. 
-At least 3 eggs
-Empty egg carton or small cups
-Salt 
-Alum
-Epsom Salts 
-Food Coloring
-1-cup measuring cup
-Small saucepan

Students may need assistance with boiling the water and making the crystal solutions. 

Week nineteen we will be studying cells. Students will need: 
-Multi-colored playdough
-Toothpicks
-Paper
-Pen
-Scissors 


Week twenty we will continue to study the Human Body with a focus on ligaments and bones, particularly of the hand. Students will need:
-5 Bendy straws 
-Cardboard or card stock paper (big enough to trace hand on) 
-Yarn or string 
-5 thick Rubberbands 
-Scissors or pen knife 
-Pen or pencil

Week twenty-one we will be studying germs! Students will need:
-2 slices of Bread, preferably plain white bread 
-1 Apple 
-Ziplock type bags, several 
-Plain unflavored gelatin, at least one envelope. Knox is a common brand  
-Sugar, several tablespoons  
-Bathroom paper cups 
-Plastic wrap 
-Q- tips
-Water 

Tools:
-Knife
-Pan for heating water and gelatin  
-Spoon
-Measuring spoons

Students will need to wash their hands during class. Students may need assistance with boiling the water and making the gelatin solution. 

This class will require some after-class observation, as the experiments will grow over the course of the week! 


Week twenty-two we will be studying exothermic reactions with Elephant Toothpaste!

Here’s what you’ll need:
-20 oz bottle
-Glass bowl or measuring cup
-Dish soap
-20 volume (6%) hydrogen peroxide, liquid*
-Dry yeast packet (1 tbsp)
-Food coloring (optional)
-Goggles recommended!
-Baking tray/foil pan or basin (something to contain the mess) 
*The hydrogen peroxide you probably have on hand for first aid reasons is 10 volume (3%). 20 volume hydrogen peroxide is cheaply and easily obtained from a hair salon or pharmacy (in the hair dyes section). Make sure you get the liquid one, and not the cream.

If you can not get the correct hydrogen peroxide, the standard bottle of 3% will work but it will be a smaller reaction. 


Week twenty-three we will dive deeper into the forces of flight.  For this week students need: 
-Several sheets of paper of any kind
-Tape 
-A couple of rubber bands and/or paperclips
-A lego mini-figure, or another very small-sized object (like a quarter)  that can be the passenger for your devices.  
-The recycle bin! (any old objects you have lying around cardboard tubes, paper cups, cardboard, etc.) 

Week twenty-four we are learning all about inventions and the design process. Your materials today are ANYTHING! It's a recycling box challenge so grab your used containers and any materials you have leftover from other projects. Rubber bands, paper plates, straws, cardboard, paper, pipe cleaners, etc. 
Also, have scissors and tape handy! 

Week twenty-five we are learning about Robots!
By popular demand this week we will be coding and playing with Mrs. Adair's competition robots! No supplies are needed. 


Week twenty-six we will be doing edible science this week while learning about Glaciers! Students will need:

-A Half Gallon of ice cream vanilla or similar frozen treat
-blue sprinkles or blue food dye (optional) 
-Oreos, graham crackers, or another cookie that can be crumbled  (at least one sleeve)

You'll also need: 
-a cookie sheet pan or another flat pan 
-spoons for scooping and applying toppings. 
-plastic wrap, aluminum foil. or another pan for easier cleanup /less mess when the glacier melts 
-Students might want a bowl and spoon too to eat the results! 


Week twenty-seven we are talking optical illusions! Students will need: 
-paper 
-pencils 
-markers or colored pencils 
-and a ruler. 

Week twenty-eight we will be learning about the wonderful world of trees! 
We'll be learning some tree ID along with building a model of the inside of trees
Supplies needed: 
-several sheets of paper or cardstock (white or multicolored) 
-colored pencils or markers
-Tape or glue 
-Scissors

Week twenty-nine we will be learning about rocket science!
Students will need: 
-a pencil, 
-several sheets of paper, 
-scissors, 
-tape 
-a straw (reusable or disposable, any size)  If you are out of straws, we can make one using an extra sheet of paper. 

Week thirty we will be learning about moon craters. Students will need:  
-Baking pan 
-2 cups of flour 
-Sprinkles or crushed up candy or cookies (colorful help!) 
-1 cup of cocoa powder ( a darker cake mix or any other powder baking ingredient with some color can be substituted) 
 Sifter or spoon 
-2 to 3 rocks of different shapes and sizes.    

Week thirty-one we will be learning about planetary rovers. Students need: 
-Cardboard (one corrugated box should do it) 
-One sharpened round pencil 
-Two rubber bands 
-Two hard candies with a hole in the middle. I recommend Lifesaver mints or hard candy. 
-One Plastic drinking straw
-Ruler 
-Tape
-Scissors    


Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Average rating:4.6Number of reviews:(854)
Profile
By profession, I am an Ecology Instructor at a local College Environmental Education Center. I have 15 years of experience teaching Math, Science, and History, and multi-disciplinary classes at the elementary, middle, and high school level.  I am... 
Group Class

$15

weekly
1x per week
55 min

Completed by 136 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
3-6 learners per class

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