The Science Challenge Series Part 1: You Vs. Science

*If you do not have a particular material, feel free to substitute something similar (make a paper funnel if you don't have a plastic one, etc.). I may also have suggestions for quick and easy to find substitutes during my instructions for each challenge. If a partner is needed, but one is unavailable for challenges, I will give students suggestions on how to complete the activity alone. As always, feel free to message me with material questions.

Forces
1. a partner (a parent, sibling, etc.) for some of the challenges 
2. five pieces of paper (8.5x11)
3. scissors 
4. a broom

Gravity
1. a sheet of paper 
2. a small chair (an adult sized chair can be used too if needed).

Air Pressure 
1. a sink (to get water and to catch water that may spill) - As a substitute, use a tub and bring enough water to fill the plastic cup.
2. a plastic cup
3. an index card (or thicker paper - like tagboard or file folder or poster board or thin cardboard (like from a cereal box) cut to index card size) that will completely cover the top of the plastic cup
4. a dry, empty plastic bottle (any size)
5. a piece of paper
6. 2 straws

Air Pressure's Revenge
1. 2 pieces of paper
2. a kitchen funnel
3. a clear, plastic cup
4. scissors
5. a sink (for water and to catch any water that may spill)
6. a large bowl or small tub (that you could fill with water during class)
7. a balloon (regular sized, NOT a small, water balloon size)
8. a disposable water bottle ( 16oz., 24 oz. or a 2 liter will work, as long as the end of a balloon can be wrapped around the lip of the bottle). IMPORTANT... have a parent help you cut (or punch) a hole in the side of the bottle near the bottom (pea sized will work).
9. a small ball that fits in the funnel (a paper ball could be used as a back-up)

Friction
1. 2 magazines (same size) or 2 paperback books (same size, about 50 to 150 pages)
2. cookie sheet or another flat, smooth surface (cutting board, large metal pan, etc.)
3. a small paper ball (marble-sized)
4. a large paper ball (fist-sized)
5. 1 paper clip (any size)
6. 1 coin (any size/type)
7. a fork

The Touch Challenge
1. 2 pencils (sharpened)
2. a partner (parent, sibling, etc. for a couple of challenges)
3. a ruler (at least 12" or 30 cm long)
4. 2 identical containers that you can fit your hands into - up to (at least) your wrists (boxes, bowls, paper bags, etc.)
5. 2 identical coins (any type)
6. 2 large paper clips (you can substitute 2 identical items similar in size to a large paper clip (large bottle cap, etc.))
7. 2 small paper clips (you can substitute 2 identical items similar in size to a small paper clip (small legos, etc.))
8. 2 small paper balls
9. 2 pen caps (or substitute 2 identical items similar in size to pen caps)

The Sight Challenge
1. paper tube (paper towel or toilet paper, a straw will also work)
2. 2 sharpened pencils
3. 3 pennies or any other coins (3 identical)
4. plastic cup
5. a ball that is soft or a small pillow

The Hearing Challenge
1. a metal pan with raised sides (6 inch x 6 inch/15 cm X 15 cm or larger) - a metal cookie sheet also works
2. 5 different small objects (for example, paper clip, eraser, coin, small ball, spoon, fork, or pencil)
3. 10 pennies (or any 10 coins that are the same type)
4. 2 spoons
5. a paper towel tube (toilet paper tubes also works) - if you don't have an empty roll, just bring a roll that still has paper on it

The Taste and Smell Challenge
1. 2 small portions of 3 different foods -  (for example, 2 banana pieces, 2 cheese pieces, 2 pieces of lunch meat, 2 cookie pieces, etc.)
2. 4 Q-tips or a straw (for dipping and tasting)
3. lemon juice (we will use just a squirt) - orange juice or a very small amount of vinegar will also work
4. salt water (we will only need a small amount - about 25 ml to 50 ml) - make sure the salt is at least partially dissolved
5. sugar water (same directions as the salt water)
6. small piece of orange peel - anything bitter can be substituted (like a very small amount of black tea or coffee)
7. This one is strange, but fun... 4 unlaundered (the dirtier the better!) pieces of clothing from family members (we will need to use clothing from at least 2 different family members) - for example 1 shirt from the student, 1 from a sibling and 2 shirts from an adult(s)
8. 2 paper towels or a clean washcloth

The Energy Challenge
1. small toy car (Matchbox style, Lego car, etc.)
2. a flat surface to be used as a ramp (cookie sheet, longer piece of cardboard, cutting board, etc.)
3. 6 thicker books (when the books are stacked, the total height should be at least 9 inches (20 cm))
4. 6 feet (2 m) of string (or dental floss or sewing thread (which may need to be doubled to make it stronger)
5. 6 feet (2 m) of string (yup... a second length of string for a different challenge)
6. a large ball (basketball or soccer sized)
7. a small ball (baseball or tennis ball sized)
8. a balloon
9. tape (lighter tape is best)
10. a straw

The Laws of Motion
1. a plastic cup or bowl
2. a piece of paper or index card large enough to cover the opening of the cup
3. 10 to 15 coins (any type/size is okay, but it will be easier if they were the same type)
4. a large book (big enough to completely cover both of your hands if you were holding it)
5. a balloon
6. a small coin (penny, nickel, etc.)
7. 2 objects that weigh about 5 pounds each (2.5kg each)
8. a timer or stopwatch (to time yourself in a challenge)

Newton's Revenge (Inertia)
1. a quarter (or any large sized coin)
2. a long, sharpened pencil
3. a piece of bread (We will be spearing this item on the pencil, so other types of food (half a banana, small orange, slice of cheese, etc.) will work). Some students have used a play-dough ball for this as well.
4. a piece of paper
5. a plastic cup (6 oz. / 250 ml or larger)

Students will be using scissors for multiple challenges.