Jacob and Julianna want to participate in their school's annual science fair. Those words, even as I type them, strike fear into the depths of my soul. I am no good at science. I am not interested in science. I am terrible at science. I scored a perfect score on the ACT portion of the exam that measured social sciences and a not so impressive score on the part that measures physical sciences. In short, science is not me.
I don't want my kids to grow up to be like me. I try to fake it. I really do. Julianna's entering an experiment that compares what a chunk of apple looks like that has been handled by clean, washed hands, verses unwashed hands. We did this when Rebekah was about her age. It's pretty amazing...and gross. So, Julianna's well taken care of.
Jacob? Not so much. I can not come up with an experiment that thrills him. He'd like to build an underwater volcano, or a baking soda/vinegar volcano. The problem is, with the underwater volcano, it requires hot water which we would not have access to on science fair night, it's pretty much a one-shot experiment, once you've done it, it's done. It does demonstrate that hot air rises, but...yawn. The other volcano experiment appeals to the messy little boy in him that would like to blow things up. Yes, we can make a volcano and fill it with baking soda. He can make it erupt by pouring vinegar into it, but...so what? What does that show? It certainly doesn't have anything to do with a real volcano. I'm stuck.
I need help. Because I am an awesome mom, I have procrastinated and procrastinated and we're really getting down to the wire on this one. Does anyone have any terrific science fair projects that are quick and easy, use basically household materials, how something to do with actual science--answering a question or demonstrating a scientific principal, that can actually be done in a week? Much appreciated.
I have 1 husband and 4 kids, 28, 21, 12 and 10... I'll be doing the mom thing forever, hence 4evermom.
8 comments:
I can't help you from personal experience, but I did find this:
http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/
and MANY other links when googling "easy science fair projects". I bet you can find something he'll want to do. Good luck! :)
One experiment that's popular with little boys is measuring how fast a toy car goes down ramps that have different friction, such as cardboard, sandpaper, carpet, etc. That way, data is actually being recorded. It's more of an experiment (about friction) than a demonstration. I don't know. Is that too advanced for a little guy?
Not a thing but I just want you to know that I scored so low on the math portion of the SAT is was scary. Good luck.
I was a middle school science teacher then a Biology teacher for a lot of years before the arrival of my little people, and I always HATED science fair. I am impressed that your kids WANT to particpate. Most kids are made to do it, and it shows in the projects. I don't have any ideas (and tremble at the thought of doing this with my 2), but wanted you to know that you are not alone in how you feel.
Oh gawd. That is so not my area. I think my hubby will have to handle all that. Good luck!
How about testing the pH of various household cleaning products to demonstrate how dangerous or corrosive they are? And to layer the science experiment have him make his own pH test solution from red cabbage. I don't remember exactly how to make it but I'm sure you can find a recipe online.
I think my brother did a science fair project one year where he compared which household product could dissolve mustard and ketchup the best... and get the stain out as best as possible.
He also did one with magnets, though I can't remember what the heck he did.
One thing I do remember though is that it was my parents doing most of the work. :)
Marcus made a bottle rocket for his 9th grade Science project.
I'll have to ask him about him.
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