Instant Science Experiments: Physical Science

There are times (and seasons) when you just don’t have the bandwidth to do a science experiment.  Your kiddos are doing their core subjects and reading a science textbook; labs remain few and far apart.  I get it.  My home-school friends are the ones who asked me to create science camps.  

Okay, let’s start exploring instant science experiments— easy activities kiddos can manage independently, with simple materials.  They may need to conduct a scavenger hunt in your house.  Once your child finishes the experiment and watches the video, have him write a summary with an explanation, three facts, or observations.  Bonus points if your child takes photos or makes sketches to document the activity.

1. IOP has three demos: stacked balls, reversed arrows, and dancing sprinkles are easy for kiddos to try on their own.  (If you do not have sprinkles, substitute Jumping Pepper.). Here, here, and here are the videos.  

2. Balance a yardstick (or ruler) or broom, bat, or tennis racket.  Here is Center of Gravity from the Exploratorium.

3. Drop balls.  You do need at least two kiddos.  Have one be the timer and the other kid drop the ball and spot when it lands.  Try to drop every ball from the same height—say the back deck.   Test a basketball, pinky ball, golf ball, etc.  I have had kiddos repeat ball drop for 45 minutes, refusing to accept different balls falling at the same rate. Here is a video with an explanation of gravity and inertia.  The balls fall at the same rate.

4. Coin in a Cup, Coin Flick, and Penny Spinners demonstrate Newton’s Laws.  The instructions all come with an explanation.

5. Frugal Fun’s Transfer of Energy has excellent photos and explanations.  The experiment requires marbles and a ruler—part of the scavenger hunt.  Try board games.  Look at all of Frugal Fun’s Physics Science Experiments.