Sandbox Scientist: Real Science Activities for Little Kids
208
Sandbox Scientist: Real Science Activities for Little Kids
208eBook
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781569767955 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Chicago Review Press, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 08/01/1995 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 208 |
| File size: | 4 MB |
| Age Range: | 2 - 8 Years |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Sandbox Scientist
Real Science Activities for Little Kids
By Michael E. Ross, Mary Anne Lloyd
Chicago Review Press Incorporated
Copyright © 1995 Michael E. RossAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-56976-795-5
CHAPTER 1
Water
Playing with water is both relaxing and stimulating. It also keeps you and the kids cool. It's not only fun but can lead to great discoveries about the physical properties of water, hydraulic engineering, gravity, and other things you may have learned in high-school physics. There's so much happening with water play that it needs a permanent place in the lives of young scientists.
Water Droppers
ages 2 & up
A water dropper is a simple tool that can be the ticket to a whole new theater of water play. Whether investigating water drops and bubbles or experimenting with suction and propulsion, kids will be fascinated.
MATERIALS
Plastic water droppers
Large paper clips with one end straightened
Pebbles, erasers, and other objects such as sticks or leaves
Small plastic containers
The Setup
For indoor use place everything on a table. Fill the containers with water and let the kids go at it. Beware of squirting, however. If you want to allow free reign on squirting and other wet exploits, set up on a table outdoors on a warm day.
Explain to kids why they should not drink the water or poke the droppers in eyes, ears, or nostrils.
The Science
While the kids were playing with the droppers at a picnic table, the father of one of the boys stopped by to see what they were up to. He was at the school checking devices that prevent water contamination. As he watched the kids, he noticed that they were exploring siphons, negative pressure, suction, and other processes that he had to understand to do his job.
What can you do with the droppers? What do you notice about the drops? Why do you think these things happen?
Water Tubs ages 2 & up
Pouring and washing are the basic activities kids will engage in, but providing them with a variety of materials will lead them into deeper explorations. They may invent "water machines," play with bubbles, "paint," make "soup," give baths, and create fountains. Like hydraulic engineers, kids may test different configurations of equipment and develop complex water transfer systems.
MATERIALS
Turkey basters
Sponges and corks
Plastic pitchers and cups
Aluminum pots
Acrylic tubing (see appendix)
Rainmakers (see below)
Plastic bottles, jars, and funnels of different sizes
Dish-washing tubs or water table
Water pumps
Paintbrushes
Plastic animals, cars, and other small toys
Rubber balls
Pebbles and paper clips
The Setup
Make rainmakers by poking holes in the bottom of plastic containers. The water will flow out better if you poke from the inside out. Vary the number and size of holes in different containers. Make funnels by cutting off the tops of narrow-necked plastic bottles. This kit is ideal for use outdoors on a warm day where it can be set up on a lawn, table, or blacktop. If you're indoors, arrange the materials in a space where spilling will not be a problem.
Be sure to let children know that the water they are playing with is not clean enough to drink.
The Science
Your young hydrologists will delve elbow-deep into discoveries with water pressure, evaporation, saturation, and buoyancy. Playing with the acrylic tubes may lead to investigations of how water seeks its own level or how siphons work.
Ice ages 2 & up
Investigating ice structure and texture on a hot day is a cool experience. Kids may sculpt and shape the ice, experiment with fracturing it, or become intrigued by ice patterns. They may apply other materials such as water, sand, or grass to the ice and explore the reactions.
MATERIALS
Blocks of ice
Forks and spoons
Spray bottles
Food coloring
Poster paint
Paintbrushes
Large tub or pan
Magnifying lens
Salt (optional)
The Setup
Make ice blocks by freezing water in containers — the bigger the better. Plastic milk jugs or liter bottles with the tops cut off work well. Set the ice-filled containers in the sun or run under hot water to loosen the blocks.
Fill the spray bottles with warm water and add food coloring. Adding salt will make it work faster, but excessive amounts of saltwater used outdoors may damage plants. Warm water by itself will melt ice.
Fill a tub or pan half full of hot water and mix in some poster paint for color. Let kids play with the ice outdoors if possible, otherwise set the ice in a large tub or pan.
The Science
As children observe ice, they may notice its crystalline structure and explore the process of melting. Chipping will lead to discoveries about hardness and fracturing.
Bubbles
ages 2 & up
Bubbles are ethereal jewels, easy both to create and to destroy. Their creation and destruction can be the source of seemingly endless tests. Kids will experiment to discover how big a bubble they can create or how far a bubble will fly. Bubbles will be poked, tickled, and grabbed. Production methods will be examined in detail, reports frequently given, and new ideas will, undoubtedly, bubble forth.
MATERIALS
Dish-washing liquid, such as Dawn or Joy
Plastic six-pack holders
Strawberry baskets
Giant bubble makers (see appendix)
Large tubs or a small plastic swimming pool
Glycerin or Karo syrup (optional)
Food coloring (optional)
The Setup
To make the bubble solution mix I cup of dish-washing liquid with 10 cups water. For stronger bubbles, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of glycerin or 2 tablespoons of Karo syrup. You can add a few drops of food coloring to spice up the potion.
Bubble making is most successful during humid times of the day, such as the morning or evening. Since trees give off humidity, setting up in the shade of a large tree during midday is another choice.
The Science
Bubbleology can lead to great investigations of air and light. Examining what causes bubbles to pop may lead to observations about heat, wind, or surface tension. For example, since warm, dry air absorbs water, bubbles pop as they come in contact with it. As children blow bubbles, they will have a chance to observe the effects of air pressure or to observe the honeycomb-like patterns of connected bubbles. Peering at the surface of bubbles can lead to examination of the color spectrum and experiments with reflections.
Boats
ages 4 & up
When you invite kids to design a boat with a wide array of materials, they will respond with enthusiasm and act with ingenuity. Get ready to watch some very creative applications of understandings of buoyancy.
MATERIALS
Tinfoil
Paper plates
Cups, Styrofoam, and other discarded packing materials
Straws and clay
Pieces of foam
Pieces of sponge
Corks
The Setup
Provide the materials and let kids go for it. If you don't have corks at home, you can ask a restaurant if they have any that you can have. If puddles are not available, set out a wading pool. If possible, leave the boats out for a while.
The Science
Kids will share ideas, invent, and test. This is real experimentation. Properties of materials will be tested and compared. Kids will learn about such things as porousness, density, impermeability, and general seaworthiness. No kidding.
Plumbing
ages 3 & up
Kids are natural-born plumbers. Whether it's water swirling down a drain or an outgoing tide, kids love to play with flowing water. PVC pipes, acrylic tubing, funnels, and fittings are the perfect answer to their plumbing dreams. Considering the time most kids will devote to messing about with the plumbing, you'll feel fortunate you don't have to pay for their labor. The other good news is that these materials are relatively inexpensive, indestructible, and available at the local hardware store.
MATERIALS
10 or more feet of ½-inch PVC pipe
10 or more 90-degree fittings for ½-inch pipes
10 or more 120-degree fittings for ½-inch pipe
10 or more T-fittings for ½-inch pipes
Three 2- to 4-foot lengths of clear acrylic tubing (choose sizes
that funnels will fit into)
10 funnels of various sizes
Several small, plastic tubs and cups
Small pieces of old kitchen sponges
Several buckets or large tubs
Corks
The Setup
Cut the pipe in a variety of short lengths (8, 10, 12, and 18 inches). Most hardware stores have special cutters for PVC pipe, but you can also use a hacksaw. Funnels can be made by cutting off the tops of narrow-necked plastic bottles. Corks are available from restaurants; just ask a local eatery to save them for you!
This is a perfect activity for the warmer seasons. If possible, place the materials outside where spilling water won't be a problem. Easy access to an outdoor water spigot will also come in handy.
Before allowing kids to use the pipes, elicit ideas on how to use them safely. Let kids know that they should not use the pipes for hitting or whacking. Fill the buckets and tubs with water, and let kids go at it.
The Science
Children will investigate the physical properties of water, such as water pressure and fluid mechanics. This is a great opportunity for group problem solving and inventing.
Tornado Tubes
ages 3 & up
Becoming familiar with how the tubes work will lead to problem-solving symposiums and endless trial-and-error experiments. Observations may stimulate animated discussions of past experiences with draining bathtubs and sinks, as well as theories about tornadoes and other swirling motions.
MATERIALS
Tornado tubes (see appendix)
Liter or quart plastic soda bottles Glitter (optional)
Food coloring (optional)
The Setup
Fill one bottle two-thirds full of water and screw the tornado tube onto this bottle. (You can also add a pinch or two of glitter and a drop of food coloring.) Attach an empty bottle to the other end of the tube. Set the empty bottle upright on a flat surface so that the full bottle is on top. Demonstrate how to set the tornado in motion by shaking the top bottle briefly in a circular motion.
The Science
A vortex is a swirling flow of water or other liquid. When water drops through a hole, its moving energy is concentrated into a smaller area causing a spiral flow. As the water molecules come closer to the opening, the rotation becomes greater and generates an outward force. The resulting centrifugal force keeps the water out of the exact center of the opening. Playing with the tornado tubes provides children with more opportunities to explore the effects of gravity on the movement of liquids.
CHAPTER 2Earth & Other Matter
From the very beginning, kids mess about with matter. As babies, they mash, knead, sniff, and smear whatever they can get their hands on. Kids like to explore "stuff." The more they play with materials such as mud or wet sand, the more they learn about what they do and what can be done with them. Gloop, oobleck, and other unusual substances challenge children to explore and compare. These materials act differently from anything they have played with before. Perhaps they are like snot but not really snotty. Maybe they feel like rubber, but rubber doesn't break as easily. With little or no encouragement, children will begin to compare the different stuff and develop theories to explain its behavior. This may lead children to a higher level of questions best tackled by university physics or chemistry instructors. Don't worry if you don't have answers. Just roll up your sleeves, dig in, and join in some goopy, gloopy pondering.
Rocks ages
2 & up
Rocks are rich in texture, mass, and color. Children may discover that they can scratch rocks with the paper clips or scribble on tiles with rocks. Rocks may end up being dipped and "weighed" or peered at through lenses. Kids may use them in imaginative play or simply touch them with inquisitive little fingers.
MATERIALS
Balance scales
Large paper clips
Unglazed tile (scraps available from tile shops)
Variety of rocks
Large tub of water
Watercolor brushes
Magnifying lenses
The Setup
Collect or purchase a variety of rocks, such as quartz, slate, pumice, sandstone, limestone, and marble. Straighten one end of each paper clip. Fill the tub one or two inches deep with water.
Before the kids begin playing, discuss with them how to use the magnifying lenses and how to protect them from becoming scratched.
The Science
As children play with a variety of rocks, they will begin to compare them. These comparisons may lead to discoveries in hardness, texture, density, and color. Control your impulse to ask leading questions. Ask reflective questions instead, especially when kids share discoveries. For example, if a child shows you how water changes the color of a rock, you might ask, "Have you noticed that before?"
Sand Play
ages 2 & up
Sand alone will keep most kids occupied. Adding a variety of tools brings more depth and complexity to their play. Gutters, ramps, and pulleys may lead to group construction projects, while sifters and magnets stimulate sorting. Rainmakers and buckets allow kids to experiment with erosion, percolation, and flowing water.
MATERIALS
Large magnets
Food containers of various sizes
Cookie cutters and molds
Plastic gutter and down spout
Quart yogurt containers
Bucket of water
Pipe insulation ramps (see appendix)
Pulleys (see appendix)
Trowels or small sand shovels
The Setup
You can create rainmakers by poking holes in the bottoms and lower sides of the plastic containers with an ice pick or nail. Attach yarn or string to magnets to help keep track of them in the sand.
The Science
Sand play is an investigation of the physical properties of sand. Pouring sand down a gutter or ramp provides a chance to explore friction. Sifting sand and playing with magnets reveals characteristics of sandy components. Adding water to sand play adds new experiences with erosion, saturation, and adhesion. Considering the global problems with topsoil loss and groundwater contamination it seems adults could also benefit from more time in the sandbox wrestling with these topics.
Mud Play
ages 2 & up
Kids and pigs adore mud. Mud lends itself to endless investigation and dramatic play. Not only will kids concoct mud pies and dirt cakes, but they will experiment with consistency. Is it brushable, pourable, or sliceable?
MATERIALS
Food containers of various sizes
Cookie cutters and molds
Pie plates, muffin tins, and pans
Spoons, spatulas, and butter knives
Plastic food containers
Bucket of water
Trowels or small sand shovels
Paintbrushes and sponge brushes
utters
The setup
This is definitely an outside activity best set up where a muddy mess is perfectly acceptable. Any patch of bare ground with accessible water will do.
Kids decorated with mud may look monstrously dirty, when in fact they are easy to wash off. During hot weather, you can simply hose down mucky kids into cleanliness. At cleanup time, set out a bucket of clean water for rinsing hands.
The Science
Messing about in the mud can lead to major discoveries in the fields of physics, soil science, and imaginary baking. Mud play can lead children to discoveries about texture, flow, permeability, absorption, and evaporation.
Gloop
ages 2 & up
Not only is gloop inexpensive and easy to make, but it will intrigue both adults and kids for days. From the moment kids encounter gloop, they try to figure out if it is Silly Putty, gack, or some other known substance. As they stretch, tug, mash, roll, and break it, kids discover the unique qualities of this new substance.
MATERIALS
Borax
White glue
Watercolor or poster
paint (optional)
Large bowl
3 cups
Measuring cup
Wooden spoon
Small toys and other objects, such as
shells, pattern blocks, and cookie
cutters
The Setup
Mix up some gloop:
1. Add 1½ cups of water to 2 cups glue.
2. Pour 1/3 cup of warm water into 3 cups. (Optional: Add a drop or two of watercolor or poster paint for color.)
3. Stir a teaspoon of borax into each cup.
4. One at a time, pour the contents of each cup into the glue and water mixture. Mix until it's dissolved.
Despite the fact that this stuff is made with glue, it is not sticky. In fact, it is quite unmessy. Provide a clean table for kids to sit at. This will keep the gloop clean. Of course, if you choose to produce a large supply, let kids use it outside to see how it reacts with natural materials. Store gloop in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Make sure that the kids clean it up carefully because, if not detected, it will melt, harden, and become difficult to remove.
The setup
Kids will delve into the "icities," such as plasticity and elasticity. They may also ponder tensile strengths, malleability, and oozeability.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Sandbox Scientist by Michael E. Ross, Mary Anne Lloyd. Copyright © 1995 Michael E. Ross. Excerpted by permission of Chicago Review Press Incorporated.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
Foreword,Introduction,
1. Water,
2. Matter,
3. Air,
4. Light,
5. Mechanics,
6. Building,
7. Little Critters,
8. Kitchen Science,
9. Outdoors,
10. Parting Words,
Appendixes,
Tools to Make,
Resources,
Bibliography,