It is important for elementary school children to understand the science of the world they live in. Science is everywhere and affects almost every aspect of our lives in some way. To get children started on a discovery of science, these 4 simple experiments are easy, inexpensive, and offer valuable practical experience.
1. Cooking Chemistry
The kitchen is the perfect lab for teaching some basic chemistry concepts to Montessori elementary school students. Measuring and pouring help them learn about fractions, multiplication and division, and even concepts like ratios when the recipe size needs to be adjusted. But the chemistry that takes place in the kitchen is amazing and ranges from simple things like turning water into steam to more involved discoveries about the way chemicals mix to create new substances.2. Rubberized Chicken Bones
A popular Montessori-inspired science experiment is to tie a knot in a chicken bone. All you need is a well-washed bone and a resealable container of vinegar. Put the bone in the container and let it sit for a few days. The bone will begin to bend a little when pressure is applied to the ends in about 3 days, and will become more supple after 7 to 10 days.3. Salt and Ice
When salt is applied to water ice, it causes the ice to melt. This technique is commonly used in northern parts of the country but children who live in warmer climates may never be presented with an example outside of a classroom. All you need is some ordinary table salt, some ice cubes, and bowls to contain the melted cubes. Experiment with using more or less salt, timing how long the process takes, and explore the science of why it happens.4. The Winter Solstice
The shortest day of the year is December 21. Before that day on the calendar, the days have been getting a couple of minutes shorter since June, and after it, they will grow longer until June rolls around again. It can be difficult to experiment with exactly when each day ends, but simple observations and making notes in a journal can illustrate how it gets dark earlier and earlier. Another simple device, the sundial, needs to take the solstices into consideration in order to provide a reliable measure of time.Every child deserves to experience the magic of science, even if it is only for the magic itself.
Science has made every advancement of modern man possible and continues to make our lives better in many ways. The more exposure kids have to scientific theory, the more they can explore the universe.
