Science Activities for Elementary Students

The love and hate for science is balanced in the world. Some students adore the subject, and can't get enough of the 'why's and how's', while other students just allow nature to take its own course without questioning it, simply because they fail to or just don't wish to understand it. However, science is a subject, the basics of which have to be learned in school. In fact, the sooner the basics are explained, the easier they are, to comprehend. For this purpose, presented here are some fun science activities for elementary students, that help those who love it to enjoy it more, and those who don't, to at least understand certain natural processes.

Fun Science Activities

Whether you love science or you hate science, you are definitely going to enjoy conducting these science activities. All of these activities aim to explain certain processes, physical, chemical and biological, that occur naturally on this planet.
Note: All these activities should be performed under adult supervision.

Brick Salt
This is an earth science activity, that explains how salt is naturally made from the water of the oceans and the sea. In the natural process, when ocean water is allowed to evaporate under natural sunlight in a container or a water hole, salt crystals are found at the bottom. Using this same principle, we explain how salt is prepared.

Material Required

• Salt
• Microwavable Cup

Directions
To perform this activity, first take the cup and fill it up with warm water. Put as much salt as can fit in the cup, at least till it is half way full. Stir the water so that the salt mixes well, and the water begins to look clear. Then put the cup in the microwave, and heat it for about five minutes. Use oven mitts to remove the cup from the microwave. You will have to allow this water to rest for about two days, and then heat it again for five minutes. Follow the same procedure once more, after two days again. You will notice that the water starts evaporating, and all that is left in the cup is a huge brick of salt.

Chameleon Flowers
This activity serves to explain the system of water absorption by plants, and how all the different essential nutrients are absorbed by plants, with the help of water.

Material Required

• White Carnations, 5
• Food Coloring (various colors), 20-30 drops
• Water, in 5 different cups
• A pair of Scissors

Directions
Wet the stems of the carnations. With the help of an adult, cut the stems of the carnations at an angle. Also, make a slight slit through the center of the stem. Now add the different food colors in the different cups, and place one carnation each in one cup. (See Picture) Let them rest overnight, and the next morning you will noticed that the carnations have changed color. You can also try the effect of food coloring on different colored carnations (red, yellow, etc.) and see the variety of results you can achieve.

Create a Fossil
Fossils are mainly remains of all living things, that have existed through thousands and thousands of years. These are found in the earth's crust, and may range from rocks and plants, to bones of extinct animals, etc. With this experiment you can create your own interesting fossil rock.

Material Required

• Seashell, 1 Large
• Aluminum Foil
• Plaster of Paris, 2 parts
• Water, 1 part

Directions
Shape the aluminum foil into a bowl. Mix the plaster of Paris with the water, and pour it into the bowl. Now take the seashell, turn it over, and press it into the plaster of Paris. Allow it to rest for about thirty minutes, and then remove the seashell from the foil. Also remove the plaster of Paris from the bowl. You have created your own fossil rock!

Create Your Own Rainbow
With one of the most interesting yet simple earth science activities, you can make your own rainbow whenever you wish to see one. All you need is a good amount of natural sunlight. The basic principle of this activity is to explain the various colors that are contained in white light (sunlight), and how when this light passes through water, white light is broken into the different colors of the rainbow.

Material Required

• White Sheet, 1 large
• Water
• Clear Glass to hold Water, 1

Directions
Perform this activity close to a window through which you get ample bright sunlight. Fill the glass of water to the brim, and place it on the edge of a table, through which the sunlight can pass and hit the floor. Place the sheet of paper on the floor. As you adjust the glass, and the sheet of paper, you will notice a rainbow formation on the plain sheet of paper.

If the foundation is laid at the right time and is strong enough, no student can go ahead and say that science is not interesting. With these thought-provoking science activities you are bound to develop a love for this subject! Good luck!