Hands-on Science from A-Z

Presenter: Tracey Stanton

Science is a Process. The following skills are what we use when exploring the scientific world.

1. OBSERVING: Observing requires that we use our senses to gather information on an

object or event.

2. CLASSIFYING: Classifying is grouping objects, events, or ideas into categories based

on their characteristics.

3. MEASURING: Measuring is making quantitative observations using the metric system

or an inventive form agreed upon by group.

4. COMMUNICATING: Communicating is describing, drawing, recording and/or

graphing observations and findings.

5. INFERRING: Inferring is a higher-level skill. It involves formulating a guess or

interpretation based on observations.

6. PREDICTING/HYPOTHESIS: Predicting what will occur in the future based on what

has occurred in the past.

7. TESTING: Checking your prediction and/or hypothesis.

Planning Science Exploration:

There are four components to keep in mind:

1. Child interest
2. Your interest
3. Hands- on Discovery
4. Developmentally Appropriate

Missouri Pre-K Standards for Science

Physical Science: explore physical properties of objects & materials; investigates properties of
objects & materials; solves problems involving physical properties of objects & materials;
represents observations of the physical world in a variety of ways.

Life Science: explores characteristics of living things; investigates characteristics of living

things; solves problems related to living things; represents observations about living things in a
variety of ways.
Earth & Space: explores properties of earth & space; investigates properties of earth & space;
solves problems involving earth & space; represents observations about earth & space in a
variety of ways.

Scope of Science

Earth/Space - astronomy, weather, geology

Biological - botany, ecology, plants, animals and relationships to environment

Physical Science - physic, chemistry, forces of energy

Science Stations
Prior to beginning your experiments at each station, make a prediction, record,
observe , and reflect.

A. Mold -o-rama- slice of orange rolled in dirt, cover with plastic wrap and store in dark
place.
Check daily. Record changes.

B. Growing Gas - balloon, 2 liter bottle, 1/2 full of fresh carbonated soda. Shake bottle
up and down with balloon over top of bottle. Watch the balloon.

C. Foaming Tube- Pour carbonated soda into tube up to the "40" mark. Pour in a large
spoonful of salt. Stand back.

D. Raising Raisins - Drop raisin into cup of white carbonated soda. Watch the raisin.
Drop a grape into soda. What happens?

E. Volcano - Build up a "volcano" with playdough. Add red food coloring to your
vinegar. Put 1/8 t of baking soda into "volcano". Pour in vinegar. Watch the lava spill
out.

F. Milk Streamers - Pour 1/2 cup milk into bowl. Drop in 1 or 2 drops of food coloring
into bowl in a triangle form. DO NOT STIR. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap. Watch
the colors.

G. Chase the Pepper. In a clean bowl of water, shake in the pepper. Rub your finger on
a bar of soap or liquid soap. Place your finger in the middle of the pepper. Watch the
pepper.

H. Count the drops. Fill a dropper full of water. Slowly drop water onto a penny. How
many drops did it hold? What happens when you add more drops of water? Try other
coins.

I. Bubbles - Explore with the bubbles, straws, baskets. What else can you do?

J. Magnets - How many items can you attract with your magnet. Does one magnet hold
more than another? Can you move a paper clip over paper, a box, lid, a table. etc.

K. Color the Noodles - Pour noodles into a bag. Drop a few drops of color into the bag.
Add
1 t. of alcohol to the bag, close off bag and shake. Pour out noodles onto paper to dry.

L. Sink/Float - Will it sink or float? Make a prediction. Place the item into the bowl of
water. What happens?
M. Shadows - Using flashlight and sheet of butcher paper, put on a shadow show. You
can also use an overhead projector, or the SUN.

N. Color Separation- Draw a circle in the center of the filter paper, place the “wick” in
the center of the circle. Place on top of small cup with water. Let the “wick” drink the
water and watch what happens to the circle of color. Predict what colors will come out of
the original circle color. *note-if you use permanent markers, use alcohol instead of
water.

O. Observe- Have a collection of various objects such as; insects, spiders, bugs, snake
skin, animal remains, shells, pine cones, etc. Provide the children with magnify glass,
tweezers, containers to separate and sort the objects to allow for exploration of the
material. Follow their lead.

P. Shiny Pennies- Gather three or four pennies that are similar in color. Using lemon
juice, tomato juice, white or dark soda, and vinegar place a penny in each liquid. Predict
which liquid will shine the pennies. Let the pennies soak for at least 15 minutes.
Remove and rub with towel.

Q. Shoot the Arrow- Using cardboard from cereal boxes, cut 1 ½ inch heart arrows.
Place the arrow in a tub/container of water along the edge with the point facing out.
Using an eyedropper, drop one small drop of dish soap in the opening of the arrow.
Watch the arrow.

R. Rainbow in a Bottle- Fill 3 or more 1 liter bottles with water and ¾ drops of food
coloring. Attach caps and glue in needed. Place the bottles near a window to allow for
the light to shine through or use a flashlight. You can place the bottles next to one
another to “mix” the colors.

S. Slinky- Using a metal slinky, attach two pieces of string about 1 ½ feet in length to the
top of the slinky. Tie loops into the end of each string. Place your index fingers into the
loops and stick your fingers in you ear. Knock the slinky with your knee.

T. Tornadoes- Using two 20 oz soda/water bottles, fill one ¾ with water. Attach the two
bottles with a tornado tube. Shake the bottle so the water is at one end and place upside
down. Watch the water fill to the bottom causing a tornado to occur.

U. Scales- Using a primary scale, provide the children with various objects to balance.

V. Salt Art- Fill a small Dixie cup 1/3 with salt. Take a piece of colored chalk and use as
a stirring stick. Watch the salt change to color of chalk. Use to make art projects or fill
jars with colorful salt. *a great fine motor skill to develop pincher grasp
W. Weather- discuss and chart weather (intentionally) Make rain gauge to measure
rain…use a plastic tube secured in the ground or stand. Make a wind sock, chime or
pinwheel to measure “force” of wind.

XYZ. Resources: children’s literature, Family Fun magazine, Science Experiment books
available from various sources. The Conservation Department, Butterfly House,
The St. Louis Zoo