Science research

Fall is in the air and school is back in session. With the weather cooling off, children will be spending more time indoors. Rather than spending the weekends and afternoons in front of the television, why not have the family participate in some fun one hour science activities? Everyone will have fun learning and spending quality time together.

At reachoutmichigan.org, you will find a large selection of science projects aimed to give children of any age a hands on experience of how the world works. The list is compiled from A to Z with numerous choices to suit any situation. You can also search the projects by the age of the children who will be doing the experiments.

For preschool age children, Bubble-ology gave young children the chance to examine light spectrums and the way colors are created by blowing bubbles in the sun and studying the colors that appear on the surface of the bubbles, and an experiment with soap powered paper boats shows children surface tension and the force that is release when the tension is released.

For early elementary aged children there was an entire array of one hour science activities. The experiment titled “The Disappearing Statue” demonstates the effects of acid rain on statues and other stone structures. The activity is very simple, involving dripping vinegar onto sticks of chalk to watch them dissolve. The Water Drop Magnifier was another fun project for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Using a styrofoam plate, saran wrap, and a drop of water, the children create a magnifying lens which they use to view letters on pages. It is a fun, hands on way for children to understand the process of magnification.

One hour science activities aimed toward older children were also quite enjoyable. The Pringles Pinhole Camera had kids build a make shift camera out of the cardboard can, explaining the mechanics of a camera and the way that light is reflected off of objects. More time is spent building the camera than on the experiment itself, but the outcome is fascinating, even to the fully grown. Another project of interest is the Soda Pop Can Hero Engine, in which Newton’s law of motion is demonstrated. Holes are punched in a soda can which is submersed in water. When it is lifted out by a string, the water forces the can to spin.

Many other sites are available to explore different types of one hour science projects. It is an excellent pass time for the whole family, and the time spent together is just as valuable as the knowledge that is acquired. So why not get together tonight and see what can be learned together? After all, there’s nothing good on TV tonight anyway!

By: Wendy Pan

Tags: Blowing Bubbles, Drop Of Water, Effects Of Acid Rain, Fun Activities, Fun Learning, Fun Project, Light Spectrums, Magnifying Lens, Ology, Paper Boats, Pinhole Camera, Preschool Age Children, Quality Time, Saran Wrap, Science Activities, Science Projects, Stone Structures, Styrofoam Plate, Surface Tension, Water Drop