Fun Science Lesson Ideas

We think one of the best ways for children to understand and develop their skills in science is to investigate for themselves, by carrying out a range of experiments.

We’re going to take you through a few ideas of how you could get your students excited about all things science!

The science experiments mentioned may require adult supervision.

Magical Rainbow

This fab experiment encourages to students to think about the weather and why a rainbow appears after it has been raining.

With this experiment, your students don’t need to wait for it to rain, they can create a real rainbow for themselves in the classroom.

So, what do I need for this experiment?

  • Small drinking glass
  • Small mirror (to put in the glass)
  • One sheet of white paper
  • Jug filled with ¼ of water

 

Note: this experiment is best performed when it’s sunny.

Now for the method

  1. Help your students fill their glass about ¼ of the way full with water.
  2. Then simply pop the mirror in the glass and turn the glass so it’s facing the sun.
  3. Ask students to hold the sheet of paper in front of the glass, so that the rainbow can be easily seen.

 

The sunlight will pass through the water in the glass and refract, forming many different colours on the surface of the sheet.

Fireworks in a Jar

This experiment is not only fun, but it’ll also teach your students what chemical reaction happens when vegetable oil and food colouring is mixed.

What do I need?

  • One empty jar
  • Food colouring
  • Small bowl
  • Fork
  • Jug filled with ¼ of warm water
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil

 

Method

  1. Firstly, you’ll need to help your students fill their jar about 3/4 full with warm water.
  2. In a separate bowl, place approximately three tablespoons of vegetable oil and carefully put drops of food colouring into the oil.
  3. Mix it all gently with a fork (just enough to disperse the food colouring a little bit). Your students will notice it doesn’t mix with the oil, it just breaks up into smaller dots.
  4. Now pour the oil and colour mixture into the warm water in your jar.

 

Watch as the coloured drops sink down into the water and mix together creating a firework effect – brilliant!

If you have any other science experiments you’d like to share, then get in touch with us at @EducationCity.

Don’t forget that British Science Week commences on the 9th until the 18th March this year. To find out how you can plan your activities for the event, take a look on their website.