Simple Science Experiments

[jedamum]

//Editor's note: Topic selected for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/simple-science-experiments



In the bid to entice my boy into the world of science, yesterday, we tried the following 2 very simple experiments at home and talked about surface tension of water thereafter.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/305366/kids_magic_trick/.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/369749/metal_floats_on_water_kids_science/.

Any parents has any simple science experiments to share?

[ChiefKiasu]

jedamum:

In the bid to entice my boy into the world of science, yesterday, we tried the following 2 very simple experiments at home and talked about surface tension of water thereafter.


http://www.metacafe.com/watch/305366/kids_magic_trick/.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/369749/metal_floats_on_water_kids_science/.

Any parents has any simple science experiments to share?

Thanks jedamum. These are great! Reminds me of the fun I had with a floating magnetic needle in the days of yore.

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

Hi Jeda


I was so excited & after watching the clips I rush down & demonstrate the simple science experiments to my kids. 3 pairs of eyes (including the maid) look at me & say \"we've done that\". There's some show on tv that shows simple science experiments which I am not aware of.

Anyway, I think it is a marvelous idea to share simple science experiments.

I've done one recently on base and acid reaction. Here is the link:

http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/volcano-experiment.html

I've cheat a bit cause I have the volcano ready from Science 51 kit that I bought recently.

[ChiefKiasu]

EN:

Hi Jeda


I was so excited & after watching the clips I rush down & demonstrate the simple science experiments to my kids...

Kekekkke... I did the same. My son looked at me like he thinks I've gone mad after I poured pepper into the bowl of water and stuck my finger inside it.

\"Magic show lah,\" I said impatiently. \"See how the pepper sticks to my finger? Now, I'm going to...\"

\"Put detergent on your finger?\" he said helpfully. I glared at him. It's not fun if he already knows what I'm going to do.

\"OK... smarty pants... here's another trick... I'm going to make a needle float on water.\" Unfortunately, I don't have a piece of tweezers and the needle I had was too heavy and kept sinking. My son had another suggestion.

\"Why not put salt in the water? Make it as dense as the Dead Sea.\" I glared at him again, trying to explain my way out. \"Err... I'm trying to demo surface tension, not density lah. This needle too heavy. Got smaller one or not?\"

Sigh. It's going to be hard to teach these young pups new tricks these days as we go deeper into the Internet age.

[jedamum]

ChiefKiasu:

Sigh. It's going to be hard to teach these young pups new tricks these days as we go deeper into the Internet age.

:lol: It's hard to catch up with kid's education nowadays. Guess you have to save such bag of tricks for your daughter then.

EN:

There's some show on tv that shows simple science experiments which I am not aware of.

That reminds me that I can tune in to KidsCentral during certain time of the week for Kids Science Programme. Thanks!

[Juliette]

I found an interesting workshop activity for children organised by Tolido's Cafe at the Omni-Theatre called 'Making Icecream in a bag'. It's a fun way to teach children about temperature control, states of matter, effect on molecules & things like that. Their website is http://www.tolido.bravehost.com. The good thing about that location is that I can spend the whole day with my boy and not have to pay for parking or entertaining him because there's so many exhibits & things for him to play that teaches something about Science for free.

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

Hi Juliette


Thanks for sharing the info. I'm sure my kids will love it if they got to eat the ice-cream afterwards. :lol:


Hi Jeda & all

I forgot to add that besides carrying out the experiment, I taught my kids on how to write out a report. I'm not so sure if the details are comprehensive enough. Any suggestions are welcome.

The report will contain:

1. Preparation
2. Process
3. Observation
4. Conclusion

As normal, I took pictures of the experiment, post them in the blog & get my kids to transfer the report to my blog. So...at the same time I teach them IT.

[mrswongtuition]

EN:

Hi Juliette


Thanks for sharing the info. I'm sure my kids will love it if they got to eat the ice-cream afterwards. :lol:


Hi Jeda & all

I forgot to add that besides carrying out the experiment, I taught my kids on how to write out a report. I'm not so sure if the details are comprehensive enough. Any suggestions are welcome.

The report will contain:

1. Preparation
2. Process
3. Observation
4. Conclusion

As normal, I took pictures of the experiment, post them in the blog & get my kids to transfer the report to my blog. So...at the same time I teach them IT.

My humble input:

A basic report for primary school level should contain:
1. Aim/Objectives
2. Materials
3. Method (Process)
4. Results/Observation
5. Conclusion/Discussion/Evaluation

1. Aim/Objectives
Students will need to be able to state the aim of the experiment. What are they trying to find out or trying to prove?

2. Materials
What materials/equipment are needed? Quantity?

3. Method (Process)
Steps taken to carry out experiment (including preparation work).

4. Results/Observation
If there are measurable results, the figures should be tabulated together with appropriate units if applicable. There there are non-measurable results, a rubrics should be drawn up if applicable.

5. Conclusion/Discussion/Evaluation
Draw up a conclusion based on the aim of the experiment and the results. Give reasons for their conclusion.
Evaluate what could have gone wrong or what could be improved for the experiment (e.g. use same size of cooking pot).

[kaydenbrown]

Perhaps you can consider putting in the hypothesis at the start.


I hear there is this show called Brainaic. I wonder if they show it here in sg. It shows simple tricks that seem to defy nature or finding out if science myths are true.

Examples include finding out if traditional hang over cures actually work.

[jedamum]

kaydenbrown:

I hear there is this show called Brainaic.

yes, they do have it here in SG (i find their first season more entertaining and educational than the latter seasons). however, i find it not so suitable for kids and some of their experiments are a tad ridiculous and redundant.