Hands-On Science: Making Simple Solutions

 

We are s-l-o-w-l-y getting back on track around here. Though just as we began to be lulled into complacency thinking everything was easy, you know – helpful kids, calm baby, easy return to routines – everything blew up again. So, we’re still hanging out mostly at home, and trying to be patient with each other, calm, helpful, and productive. Some days are better than others…

 

Hands-On Science

 

One day last week we finally pulled out the science materials to get a little “scientific method” back into our days. While this activity was a bit easy for Trevor, the exercise of writing in his science notebook is always a good one for my reluctant writer.

I pulled out the cute {and durable} test tubes we got from Oriental Trading Company, along with some supplies to test which materials will dissolve in water. Want to try?

You’ll Need:

  • test tubes {or small plastic containers}
  • water
  • notebook {or the printable data sheet below}
  • sand
  • oil
  • salt
  • food coloring

Procedure:

  1. Fill your test tubes or containers 1/2 full with water.
  2. Predict which will form solutions when mixed with the water and which won’t.
  3. Add sand, oil, salt, and food coloring to your containers, one in each.
  4. Stir or shake {if your containers are lidded like ours}.
  5. Let your the water in your containers settle for a few minutes, then observe what has happened in each one. Did they mix? What kinds of solutions were formed?
  6. Which of your predictions were correct?

 

making simple solutions

 

When we do activities like this, I have my kids write in their science journals so they get in the habit of writing down all of the steps to the scientific method. I’ve created an experiment printable for you to use if your kids don’t have their own science notebooks or if you prefer they keep worksheets like this. Let me know if you give this activity a try.

Making Simple Solutions

I hope you and your kids have fun with this easy activity. Feel free to share it with your friends and followers or pin it so others can try it out. It’s fun getting back into the swing of routine – and the kids and I are having fun getting our hands {and house} dirty again.

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