The Question Game...

This game is quick and easy to play, but really helps Kid Scientists build their questioning and observation skills!


Ages:  All ages of Kid Scientist can play.  In fact, once they know how, Big Kid Scientists can set this up for the Little Kids.

Materials: A box with a lid (it can't be transparent), objects from around the house

Procedure:

• Invite your Kid Scientist to play the Question Game
• Place an item inside the box - this is the step where the game can be adapted for the age of Kid Scientist playing or the experience of the Kid Scientist.  
• Encourage your Kid Scientist to pick up the box and shake it.  Talk to them about all the observations they can make at this point...how heavy the box is, what it sounds like, possibly an odor, what the object moves like...
• Kid Scientists ask questions about the object in the box.  They need to frame their questions as Yes or No questions, and you'll answer accordingly.  Is it metal?  Is it plastic?  Is it round?  Is it smooth?  Can I eat it?  Can I play with it?
• As Kid Scientists become more experienced you can focus the types of questions they ask...giving them only 20 questions or requiring that all questions relate to physical properties.
• Questions should also become more specific as Kid Scientists begin to learn about the item in the box
• When your Kid Scientist thinks she knows what is in the box, she frames her conclusion using at least three pieces of evidence.  Because I know that it's metal and I use it when I am eating and because it won't hold soup, I think it's a fork.

This is a great "Dinner Game"...pass the box around the dinner table and get the whole family into the questioning.  Kids can also play and ask questions when they are in the car.  

What adaptations did you discover for the Question Game?

The Milk Lab...a guest post...

My oldest Kid Scientist, Connar, came home from school the other day excited to share "The Milk Lab".  Today's demonstration is his guest post...

Ages: This is best for 5 year olds through 13 year olds

Materials:  whole milk, food coloring, dish soap, small dish

 Procedure:

• Pour a small amount of milk into the dish
  

•  Put four different drops of food coloring in a square around the edges of the dish

• Put one drop of dish soap into the center of the square.  Watch carefully because this is where the reaction starts.

•  I know why this happened: The dish soap, because it eats away grease, broke up the fat in the milk to make this reaction happen.

Halloween Potions #3...

The Science Mommy is getting into the season with some spooky Halloween potions.  I am not posting pictures, because I don't want to give anything away.  How do your potions turn out?

Ages: Big Kid Scientists

Materials: white glue, laundry starch,  plastic bowl, 2 popsicle sticks, food color

Procedure:

• Mix 1/2 cup of white glue with 1/2 cup laundry starch in a plastic bowl.
• Stir the solution thoroughly.
• Add a few drops of food coloring to make a spooky potion
• Allow the bowl, and the solution, to sit untouched for 5 minutes.
• Knead the mixture for several minutes.
• If your potion is too sticky add a few drops of starch
• You can store this in a plastic bag.

Observations:  Kid Scientists can share their observations of this potion and compare it to the other two.
* How does it feel?  How does it smell?
* Describe the consistency.  Describe the texture.

* Is this a solid or a liquid?  Why?

The Science Mommy would love to see the product of your potions.  Any pictures, with permission, will be shared on the Science Mommy.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Potions #2...

The Science Mommy is getting into the season with some spooky Halloween potions.  I am not posting pictures, because I don't want to give anything away.  How do your potions turn out?

Ages: Big Kid Scientists

Materials: white glue, water,  2 plastic bowls, 2 popsicle sticks, food color, talcum (baby) powder

Procedure:

• Mix 1/3 cup of water with 1/2 cup white glue in a bowl
• Add a few drops of food coloring to create a spooky potion
• Add 1 tsp of talcum powder and stir until the mixture is thoroughly mixed

• Combine 1/4 cup of water  with 1/2 tsp borax and stir
• Add the borax/water solution to the glue/water solution and stir
• Remove the mixture from the bowl and knead it on a counter or table.  You may need to wipe excess moisture off your hands as your work.
• You can store this in a plastic bag.

Observations:  Kid Scientists can share their observations of this potion and compare it to the other two.
* How does it feel?  How does it smell?
* Describe the consistency.  Describe the texture.

* Is this a solid or a liquid?  Why?

Halloween Potions #1...

The Science Mommy is getting into the season with some spooky Halloween potions.  I am not posting pictures, because I don't want to give anything away.  How do your potions turn out?

Ages: Big Kid Scientists

Materials: white glue, borax,  2 plastic bowls, water, 2 popsicle sticks, food color

Procedure:

• Pour 1/2 cup of white glue into the plastic bowl
• Add 1/2 cup of water to the glue and stir with the popsicle stick
• Add food coloring to create a spooky potion

• Pour 1 cup of water into the second bowl
• Add 1 tsp of borax to the water and stir with the second popsicle stick
• Slowly, add the glue/water mixture to the borax/water mixture 
• This is messy!
• The two mixtures will form a slimy ball.  Pick this up, and knead it in your hands until it's dry.  
• You can store this in a plastic bag to compare it to the other potions.

Observations:  Kid Scientists can share their observations of this potion and compare it to the other two.
* How does it feel?  How does it smell?
* Describe the consistency.  Describe the texture.
* Is this a solid or a liquid?  Why?

Cookie Time...

So, strictly speaking, cookie baking isn't a science project.  However, there were many science skills practiced by these kid scientists.  We also made a huge mess and had lots of fun!

Ages:  All ages of Kid Scientists can participate in the decorating.  Save the baking for the Big Kid scientists.

Materials: A good sugar cookie recipe and ingredients, frosting, food color & sprinkles

Procedure:  

* The Science Mommy has a post coming that is all about measurement.  Baking is one of the best ways for Kid Scientists to learn how to measure...and to experience the consequences of inadequate measurement!  Take advantage of this opportunity to help your Kid Scientists measure.

The Science Mommy wanted today's project to be about the decorating, so the Halloween-themed cookies were already baked when the Kid Scientists assembled.

Universally, Kid Scientists love to mix colors.  Whether they are using paints, or creating their own paints, mixing colors is a great learning opportunity.  The Science Mommy's nieces, Desi and Chloe, were our expert color mixers.

The kids didn't have a limit to the number of colors they could create and we had two shades of green, purple, gray, orange and blue.

While the girls mixed colors, the boys dove into decorating...

 With several dozen cookies and plenty of frosting and sprinkles, there was opportunity to try out every combination...

The finished products were pretty impressive and tasty too!

There are so many opportunities to explore, to create, and to investigate...The Science Mommy challenges you to make a mess and find science in something ordinary!

Crystal Snowflakes...

I posted this activity a while ago without pictures.  Now I have the step-by-step to keep your snowflake hanging in a window.

Ages:  This activity is for Big Kid Scientists.  As you read it, this one sounds more difficult but my 11 year old Kid Scientist did it on his own, I just supervised.

Materials:  pipe cleaner, string, water, borax,wide-mouth jar, food color 

Procedure:

• You will need boiling water for this activity.  Kid Scientists - make sure you have supervision for boiling water

• While you're waiting for the water to boil, create your snowflake.  Cut a pipe cleaner into 3 pieces. Twist the pieces together at the center to form a six-legged shape.  Make sure the snowflake fits into the jar.

• Tie a piece of string to one leg of the snowflake.
• Fill the jar with boiling water

• Add Borax one tablespoon at a time to the water.  Stir after each tablespoon to dissolve the borax.  Stir as much Borax into the water as possible, stopping when the Borax no longer dissolves. (This is called a Saturated Solution)

• Add food color drops to create your favorite color
• Suspend the pipe-cleaner snowflake in the jar of borax solution.  Roll the string around the pencil so that the snowflake hangs from the pencil laid across the jar.  (The snowflake should not touch the jar sides or bottom)

• Allow the jar to sit undisturbed for a day or two before you check your snowflake.

• Now you can take the snowflake out of the jar and carefully hang it up.

The Science Mommy would love to see pictures of your snowflakes!