With the United States lagging behind other developed nations in science and math, and a national shortage of qualified engineers restraining technological progress, it is never too early to get your children interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects. These are three simple experiments that can be done at home to introduce your children to science and math concepts, like physics and water density:
The Floating Ball
This simple project can be used to explain the Bernoulli effect, which causes airplanes to gain lift. While advanced physics may be difficult to grasp at a young age, it is exciting for little scientists to get a ball to float in midair. According to Spoonful, you’ll only need a hair dryer, a cardboard box slightly bigger than the hair dryer, duct tape, a ping pong ball, a one-liter plastic bottle and an exacto-knife (adults only!) for this project.
To begin, cut off the base of the plastic bottle. Cut a vertical slit about halfway up the bottle (starting from the base), and fit the bottle over the nozzle of the hairdryer. Overlap the slit so that the plastic bottle fits snugly over the hairdryer, and tape it. Lay the hairdryer/plastic bottle in the box and use the craft knife to cut holes so that the hairdryer base fits through one end of the box and the plastic bottle top fits through another end. Cut extra holes along the base of the box near the bottom of the hairdryer for airflow. Prop the box so that the top of the plastic bottle faces the ceiling. Place the ping-pong ball on the bottle’s opening and turn the hair dryer on, using the cool setting, and the ball will float!
More detailed instructions with images can be found on the Spoonful site.
Rainbow Water Density
This colorful experiment illustrates how sugar molecules take up space in water and make it heavier, or denser. According to We-Made-That.com, you will need six cups, 15 tablespoons of sugar, 15 tablespoons of water and food coloring (five colors).
Put five cups in a line, and add sugar to each one in the following order: 1 tablespoon, 2 tablespoons, 3 tablespoons, 4 tablespoons and 5 tablespoons. Add 3 tablespoons of water to each cup, stirring so that the sugar dissolves (not all of it will). Put food coloring into each cup (a different color in each) and stir. Now, take your empty sixth cup and add some water from the fifth cup (the densest) to it. Going from the densest to the least-dense liquids, you will add liquid from each cup to the empty one so that they form colorful layers. Pause before adding new layers so that the liquid has time to settle. Each color should stay separate, forming a rainbow.
More detailed instructions with images can be found on the We-Made-That.com.
3-D Geometry
Children are never too young to start learning about geometry, and this activity really brings the subject to life. Children can make a three-dimensional triangle stand which can, in turn, be used to hold up greeting cards, pictures and other treasures. According to Math Cats, you will need six equal-size sticks (unsharpened pencils are perfect) and rubber bands.
Take three sticks and form a triangle. Overlap the ends and wrap the corners in rubber bands. At each corner, add another stick, which will face upwards (place the bottom ends in the wrapped corners); the new sticks should come together in a teepee formation. Secure the top angle with another rubber band. Use your finished product to display artwork or cards. You can also experiment by trying to make other shapes.
More detailed instructions with images can be found on the Math Cats website.
Erika Phyall currently works in community relations for University of Southern California Rossier School of Education’s online master’s programs. USC Rossier Online provides individuals the opportunity to earn a teaching degree and aspiring teachers can get more information at certification map. Outside of work Erika enjoys networking, DIY projects, and spending time with her two dogs.