Fun Group Activities for Science
Group science activities are a way for students to bond as well as learn important information. They are enjoyable and work for all age groups. Group activities are not only fun but also stimulate the mind and create excitement for the sciences.
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It's Eating Away at You
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This group activity is ideal for students studying earth or physical science in kindergarten through eighth grade. It will take approximately 30 minutes to set up, conduct the experiment and discuss the results. This activity shows children the effect of acid rain on rocks, edifices and sculptures. Each group will need vinegar solution, chalk, an eye dropper and a pan. Students place a piece of chalk in a pan, and using an eyedropper, drop vinegar onto the chalk. They should observe fizzing on the surface and the crumbling of the chalk. Afterwards, have students research the causes of acid rain and ways to protect buildings.
Blood Circulation Lab
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This group activity works well for students in high school. It is meant to let students see the movement of blood in the fin of a fish and how adrenaline changes the flow of blood. Students wrap a goldfish in cotton that has been soaked with water and put it in a Petri dish. They place a glass slide under and over the fin to hold it in place. When placed under a microscope, the flow of blood will be visible as well as the movement of blood from the arterioles to capillaries and veinuoles. Epinephrine solution is then placed topically on the fin to see how it affects the vessels.
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Blubber Glove
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This group activity is appropriate for children in preschool and demonstrates how Antarctic animals stay warm in cold water. Begin by discussing our bodies and how we stay warm, then ask students how animals stay warm in cold water. Have students cover their hands with a plastic bag and place their covered hands into a bag with shortening. Then cover their other hands with two empty plastic bags and have them put both hands into a bucket of cold water. Discuss how the hand with shortening is like blubber and the advantages of blubber. Then have them put the bags into the bucket of water and determine how much weight each bag can hold before sinking.
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References
- Photo Credit brightly colored science test tubes image by Steve Johnson from Fotolia.com
