If you are teaching summer school or leading a summer camp group, summer science projects are a must. Keep kids learning and engaged using these enjoyable, educational activities.
Plant Projects
Plant projects are one type of summer science project that kids love. They get to go outside and play with dirt. Why not turn it into a learning experience?
Materials you will need:
- Four-pack of flowers such as begonias with all the flowers about the same size
- Four pots
- Trowels
- Watering cans
- Potting soil
- Sand
- Plant fertilizer
- Topsoil
Process:
Divide students into four groups. Each group receives a plant, pot, trowel, watering can and one type of “soil.” One group is going to plant their begonia in topsoil, another in potting soil, another in potting soil with plant fertilizer added and the final group will use sand.
Before the group does any planting, you will need to demonstrate how to plant. You also want students to make predictions about which plant they think will grow the best. Finally, discuss what plants need to grow.
Kids should make sure that the flowers get the same amount of water and sunlight to make the experiment valid. The only variable is the type of “soil” used. Children should make observations and record data on how their plants are surviving and growing.
Another simple plant-related science experiment is to demonstrate how water moves up the stem of a plant.
Materials you will need:
- A stalk of celery (stem)
- A beaker or glass
- Water
- Food coloring–red works best
Process:
Stick a celery stalk into a glass of water with food coloring in it. Leave it there for at least 24 hours. Cut it in half after the time has passed and show students how the red water has moved up the stem.
Water Cycle Project
Water cycle projects can also be popular. Kids love to play in the water during the summer! Discuss the parts of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation. Make sure they understand what each word means. Children can draw illustrations of the water cycle before starting this experiment. If you want each child to record observations, they can make a water cycle notebook with a piece of construction paper and a few sheets of notebook paper, fold them in half and staple twice at the fold. On the front, they draw their diagram of the water cycle.
Materials you will need:
- A pan of water
- A measuring cup
- A notebook to record observations
Process:
Measure four cups of water and pour it into a metal pan.
Place the metal pan in direct sunlight. Make sure to move the pan inside when it rains and when you go home at night (in case of rain).
Each day, check to see if there is water left in the pan. After three days, if there is still water, pour it back into the measuring cup to see how much water is left. There should be less water than you started with due to evaporation.
Students record this data in their notebooks.
Teaching is easy with these summer science projects. Kids will learn science skills while participating in fun activities.
References
- Image Source: Water Cycle - flickr.com/globalwaterpartnership
- Image Source: Begonia Brazilian Lady - flickr.com/flowerfreak
