The Best Science Supplies
Science supplies are a necessity for students working on hands-on science activities at school or at home. Science is the knowledge of the general laws of the physical world, and students need a few basic tools to learn as much as possible. The best science supplies are simple, age-appropriate and help students easily grasp science concepts.
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Kindergarten to Second Grade
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Young children will learn the basics of science with simple science supplies. A magnifying glass will help young children observe nature for Earth sciences. Projects such as looking at patterns on leaves and cracks on the ground will be enhanced with a magnifying glass. Another science supply for younger children is a magnet. Children may experiment trying out magnets with common objects, such as paper clips and pencils, to see if they "stick." Iron filings may also be included with a magnet to experiment with magnetism.
Third to Sixth Grade
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Older elementary school children may learn more elaborate science concepts with the right tools. A small mirror may be used to split sunlight like a spectrum, to see the different colors of light. Fill a pan with water and place it in direct sunlight. Hold a mirror at an angle in the pan with a piece of paper held above it but not blocking the sun. The water and mirror will act like a prism and split the light into different colors. Seeds, soil and a pot are other supplies for elementary school science projects. Children will observe the life cycle of a plant by growing from seeds.
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Middle School
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A microscope is one of the best science supplies for middle school students. Students may swab the inside of their cheek with a cotton-tipped swab and wipe it directly on a glass slide. Students will observe eukaryotic, or animal, cells. They may also cut up leaves to look at plant cells under the microscope. A pair of binoculars is another science tool for middle school students. They may use the binoculars to observe native birds and other animals. Binoculars may also be used on field trips to parks and wildlife preserves.
High School
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High school students may study astronomy with a telescope. Activities with a telescope would include locating specific stars and planets and studying the moon. High school students may also learn about the constellations with a telescope. A periodic table of the elements is also one of the best science supplies for high school students. The periodic table is used in chemistry to display how all the chemical elements, such as oxygen and iron, are classified. A dissection kit is also a useful science tool for high school students to learn about biology. Kits would have scalpels, pins and scissors to dissect and observe animals, such as starfish and earthworms.
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