Reports show that black children lag behind in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), but this fact doesn’t have to intimidate you. Science is everywhere, and there are many ways you can introduce it to your little one. Try these 5 simple and fun experiments (and you likely have all the materials you need right at home!)
1. Sink or Float?
Materials: small toys, coins, egg, water, bowl or tub
Directions: On a sheet of paper, make a t-chart with the headings sink and float. Have your child predict what he or she thinks may sink or float in the water by placing the objects on the paper. Then one by one, have your child place the items in the water to see what floats and what sinks. In our experiment everything sank except the lemon and the Doc McStuffins’s doctor bag. Discuss the results with your child. Try it again with other materials.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Materials: Baking Soda, Vinegar, glass or small bowl, spoon
Directions: Fill a glass or small bowl halfway with Vinegar. Ask you child how many spoonfuls of baking soda will take to make the cup overflow? Discuss their prediction. Then have them place spoonfuls of baking soda into the vinegar until it bubbles over. For even more fun add food coloring.
3. Pepper Water
Materials: black pepper, water, soap, glass or small bow
Directions: Fill a glass with water. Sprinkle pepper in the water. Have your child dip their finger in the water and pull it out. (The pepper should remain still and your child’s finger should be covered in pepper) The rinse off your child’s finger and have them rub it in soap. Dip the finger in the pepper water again. This time the pepper will appear to “run away” from your child’s finger!
4. Musical Water
Materials: water, glass, spoon
Directions: Tap the empty glass with the spoon. Is the sound a high pitch or a low pitch? Add some water, then tap the glass again. How did the sound change? Keep adding a little water and testing the sound until the glass is full. Why did the tones change the the addition of more water? Sound is created by vibrations. Tell your child to place two finger on their throat and hum and feel the vibrations. When you hit the glass with the spoon the glass vibrates. The water you add slows the vibrations down. The faster the vibrations the higher the pitch. The slower the vibrations will make a lower sounding pitch.
5. Exploring Smell
Materials: Several spices, I use Cinnamon, Cumin, Onion Powder, and Nutmeg
Directions: In a spoon or bowl place a little of each spice. Cover your child eyes and let them smell each spice. Have your child guess what he or she is smelling.
Mommies, do you create your own science experiments at home? Try one of these activities and share your results ?
Angele is a wife to a wonderful creative husband, mother to two beautiful intelligent daughters and a lover of art, education and laughter. She is the creator and author of ABC remix.