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We were kindly sent a kit to make a wormery a few weeks ago, which the children loved not only setting up, but observing the worms as well.

We missed it a bit when we put the worms back in the garden, so today we made our own.
What you need:
An old jar, plastic would be the best.
Instructions:
Add a layer of gravel or small stone to the bottom of the jar, this should help with drainage.
Keep the wormery out of direct sunlight, we are keeping ours in a cupboard.
Add the soil and sand in layers

Add a little water - not too much
How do earthworms move?
Find some worms and gently put them on top of the soil
How do earthworms breathe?
Add the leaves and grass clippings to the top
Why do we need worms?
Make some holes in the lids ( get an adult to help, and screw it on the jar )
Key stage 2 - Animals and Ecosystems
You should see the sand and the soil get mixed up as the worms burrow down. The leaves and grass should be pulled down into the soil so it all gets mixed together.

This is what worms do in the garden, they help carry decaying material into the soil, where it is broken down by microorganisms, into nutrients that can be used by plants to grow.

If you look at an earthworm you can see the body is made up of lots of segments, underneath the segments are muscles which contract and relax allowing the worm to move.

Earhworms absorb oxgen through pores in their skin. This is why they come up to the surface when it rains, they need to come to the surface to breathe if their burrow becomes waterlogged.

Worms are essential for the wellbeing of plants. The tunnels allow water to reach the roots and the process of the worm eating soil releases nutrients needed by the plants. Worms are also a source of food for other animals.

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We were kindly sent a kit to make a wormery a few weeks ago, which the children loved not only setting up, but observing the worms as well. We missed it a bit when we put the worms back in the garden, so today we made our own.

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Make a simple neurone model for learning about the nervous system and how information is transmitted around the body.

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We've made lolly stick chain reactions, Easter egg chain reactions and now we have a GIANT chain reaction.

Giant Chain Reaction

We actually made this a few years ago, but when I looked for the post today I couldn't find it, so there's no photos just this video.

Giant outdoor chain reaction

Simply grab a ball ( any size ) and some other bits and pieces and off you go!

Slides, half pipes, skateboards and buckets all work really well!

It was a brilliant outdoor family activity perfect for a summers day!

If you'd rather a smaller version take a look at our Rube Goldberg machine, which includes a fan and a toy car with a needle attached to pop a balloon.

Don't forget to check out our mini Rube Goldberg Machine too!

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We've made lolly stick chain reactions , Easter egg chain reactions and now we have a GIANT chain reaction. We actually made this a few years ago, but when I looked for the post today I couldn't find it, so there's no photos just this video.

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Discover why bird beaks are shaped in a certain way in this fun investigation using different items to repsresent different shaped bird beak adaptations.

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This fun and creative activity helps children visualise a Butterfly Life Cycle by encouraging them to think of edible items to represent each stage of the cycle.

Don't forget I have lots more kitchen science experiments to try if you enjoy this one!

The Butterfly Life cycle

There are four stages in the life cycle of a butterfly which can take anywhere between one month to a whole year!

Stage 1 - Butterfly Egg

The first stage is the egg. Butterfly eggs are very small and round or oval. If you look carefully you might even see a teeny tiny caterpillar growing inside them! The actual shape of the egg depend on the type of butterfly inside. Butterfly eggs are laid on leaves.

Stage 2 - Caterpillar ( Larva )

We call butterfly larva caterpillars and it is these that hatch from the tiny eggs in stage 1. Caterpillars mostly eat!

Did you know that mother butterflies lay their eggs on a type of leaf their caterpillars will like? This is because caterpillars cannot easily travel to find a source of food they like.

The skin of a caterpillar doesn't grow with the caterpillar so they shed their skin several times as they grow.

The caterpillars you can see below are from an Insect Lore Butterfly World set. I would 100% recommend getting it, releasing the adult butterflies into the world was just amazing!

Stage 3 - Chrysalis ( Pupa )

Once the caterpillar is fully grown it forms a pupa or chrysalis around itself. Inside the chrysalis a transformation called metamorphosis occurs.

Stage 4 - Butterfly

Once the process of metamorphosis is complete the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis!

Female adult butterflies reproduce and lay eggs on leaves ready for the life cycle to start again.

Egg - Caterpillar - Chrysalis - Butterfly

How to make an edible butterfly life cycle

What you'll need

Marshmallows, yoghurt raisins - eggs

Sweet Caterpillars, spring onion - caterpillars - you could use two different sizes here to show how the caterpillar grows.

Liquorice, long marshmallows, physalis - chrysalis.

Pasta bows, orange segments - butterfly

Paper plate

Instructions for Butterfly Life Cycle

Look at all the items you have available and find the best match for each life cycle stage.

Place the items in the correct order on a paper plate and add arrows to show the direction of change.
Ask a friend if they can tell what each stage represents.
Caterpillars often shed their skin and eat lots of leaves, can you add these stages into your life cycle.

Extension ideas

Can you make a fruit and vegetable version of the butterfly life cycle?

Can you create an edible life cycle for a frog or ant?

Butterfly wings are symmetrical; can you draw a symmetrical butterfly?

More Science for Kids

Find out what dinosaurs ate by making dino poop!

Make a flowering plant life cycle plate!

Suitable for Key Stage 2 Science
Living Things and their Habitats This activity was featured in Primary Science magazine from the ASE. Members can download content for free, including lots more activities like this one.
You can also find this activity in our first book Science Sparks!

If you like edible experiments, you'll love my new book, Snackable Science too!

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Edible Butterfly Life Cycle - Life Cycles - Science Sparks

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This fun and creative activity helps children visualise a Butterfly Life Cycle by encouraging them to think of edible items to represent each stage of the cycle. Don't forget I have lots more kitchen science experiments to try if you enjoy this one!

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Celebrate British Science Week 2026 with a Horrible Science interactive lesson and resources for KS2.

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Monthly newsletter

News & information

The British Science Week 2024 taster packs are out now!

What's that coming over the hill? It's British Science Week 2024! Next year's British Science Week is an extra special one - it marks the 30th anniversary of the very first Week way back in 1994! (Hands up if that doesn't feel like 30 years ago.) The Week proper might...

Applications for British Science Week 2024 grants are open!

It's the moment you've been waiting for... British Science Week 2024 Grants are open for applications! Schools and community groups can apply for Kick Start Grants and Community Grants respectively to fund, organise and run their own events and activities during British Science Week, which is taking place on 8-17...

*CLOSED* Win a copy of 'How to Spaghettify Your Dog' for your school!

We're delighted to partner with Bloomsbury Children's Books on a giveaway of their brand new book, 'How To Spaghettify Your Dog: and other science secrets of the universe'! We've got five copies up for grabs, so why not enter and win one for your school library?! 'How to Spaghettify Your...

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British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths taking place between 10-19 March 2023!

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Hedgehog Street- Help your local Hedgehogs

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Hedgehog Street- Help your local Hedgehogs

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@PTES Though it may be tempting to trim your hedges now, try to avoid cutting until late in the winter, in January or Feb… https://t.co/EQk438mpWF

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© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654

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The Natural History Museum, Hintze Hall, London, United Kingdom — Google Arts & Culture

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Google Arts & Culture features content from over 2000 leading museums and archives who have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to bring the world’s treasures online.

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Natural History Museum:  Life of a Blue Whale

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Natural History Museum:  Life of a Blue Whale

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The life of the blue whale | Natural History Museum

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Explore the full story of the Natural History Museum's largest specimen, the colossal blue whale skeleton.

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Museum of the History of Science Virtual Tour 

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Museum of the History of Science Virtual Tour 

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V21 Artspace | Interactive 3D Virtual Exhibitions

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History of Science Museum — V21 Artspace | Interactive 3D Virtual Exhibitions

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The Museum of the History of Science houses an unrivalled collection of early scientific instruments in the world’s oldest surviving purpose-built museum building, the Old Ashmolean on Broad Street, Oxford.

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Lockdown Learning Archives - Eat Farm Now

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The Kid Should See This: Educational videos for curious kids of all ages, a free resource for parents & teachers. Science, art, nature, animals, & more.

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The British Museum's remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. Over 6 million visitors every year experience the collection, including world-famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies.
Discover our interactive experience The Museum of the World

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British Museum, London, United Kingdom - Google Arts & Culture

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The British Museum's remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. Over 6 million visitors every year experience the col...

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Explore bitesize, hands-on activities to use in the classroom or do at home during the holidays.

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National Trust 50 things to do before you leave primary school

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National Trust 50 things to do before you leave primary school

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50 things to do before you're 11¾ | Visit

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Want your kids to run free in the fresh air and trying exciting new things? Their adventure starts here with our activities.

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As schools are closed, we're releasing some of our curriculum-aligned resources designed for KS1 -⁠ KS5 to keep pupils on track with their learning.

Get stuck into our fun challenges to do at home. Download our powerpoints and be immersed in the world of plants and fungi with videos, games and challenges.

Pupils will need:

a laptop or computer to follow the instructions

a pen and paper to take part in the activities

coloured pencils will be useful in the creative tasks.

Endeavour

Explore our free online learning platform. Plan a plant hunter expedition, investigate plants used in medicine and explore habitats under threat.

Find out more about Endeavour

Sign up to our email newsletter

Your essential half-termly round-up of amazing free learning resources, CPD and teacher training opportunities to bring Kew into your classroom.

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As schools are closed, we're releasing some of our curriculum-aligned resources designed for KS1 -⁠ KS5 to keep pupils on track with their learning. Get stuck into our fun challenges to do at home. Download our powerpoints and be immersed in the world of plants and fungi with videos, games and challenges.

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Bring Science Museum Group's Wonderlab experience home! Play games and quizzes, watch videos and get hands-on with science and maths.

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Learning homepage - Science Museum Group Learning

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Staff in Learning teams across the group engage people of all ages and backgrounds with the wonders of science through the delivery of a whole range of activities including on-site shows, outreach sessions, online resources and much more.

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TED-Ed lessons on the subject Science & Technology. TED-Ed celebrates the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Discover hundreds of animated lessons, create customized lessons, and share your big ideas.

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A range of short films designed to provide inspiration for primary age pupils in the classroom and beyond.

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Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of The Wildlife Trusts and the UK's leading environmental action club for children and families.

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Multimedia education resources | Encounter Edu

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The Encounter Edu multimedia is a place to watch Videos, see photos and see activities to engage, inspire and learn about the world

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In our national awareness day collection you will find resources relating to up and coming awareness days which highlight suitable ideas and activities that could be used in lessons or STEM clubs. The resources selected cover all STEM age groups and

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The Fish Doorbell — When fish are ready to spawn and lay eggs, you can help them on their journey.

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Did you spot a fish? Press the Fish Doorbell! This alerts our lock operator to let the fish through. The Fish Doorbell is in Utrecht, NL.

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The Fish Doorbell

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NASA's journeys into air and space have deepened humankind's understanding of the universe, advanced technology breakthroughs, enhanced air travel safety and...

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FreeSchool is a safe and friendly place to expose children to famous art, classical music, children’s literature, and natural science in an age-appropriate and kid-accessible way. FreeSchool is educational, enriching, and entertaining! Subscribe here and never miss an update - or, if you prefer, visit us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/watchFreeSchool

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cool science experiments steve spangler tv television appearances 9news

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Cool science experiments from Emmy award-winning science guy Steve Spangler. This channel features playlists from his regular appearances on the Ellen Show, his weekly segments as a STEM expert on 9NEWS KUSA, talk shows, cable news, and his nationally syndicated series Xploration DIY Sci featured.

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"national geographic" kids "nat geo kids" "nat geo" ng ngk education edutainment children parents safe video digital playlists

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Nat Geo Kids makes it fun to explore the world with weird, wild, and wacky videos featuring awesome animals like sharks, tigers and lions, cool science, funny pets, and more! Come back every week for new videos!

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SciShow Kids explores all those curious topics that make us ask "why?" Whether conducting experiments, researching new questions, or talking with experts, there's always something new to discover with SciShow Kids, no matter what your age!

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thedadlab "sergei urban" "science experiments" "science experiments to do at home" "easy science experiments" educational "easy science experiments to do at ...

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Kids Science Experiments and Interactive activities to do at home I'm Sergei 👋 father of two adorable boys: Alex and Max. I love spending time with my kids and teaching them how to think creatively while having fun doing it.

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Peekaboo is a cheerful destination with colourful animation for all the Happy Children of the world! Specially designed for kids as they explore the World of Kids Educational Videos, Classic English songs, Phonics Songs, Lullabies and more! Come join us and meet Dr. Binocs only on Peekaboo Kidz. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

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Welcome to Crash Course Kids! This bi-weekly show from the producers of Crash Course is all about gradeschool science. We'll look at Earth, Habitats, Space, Chemical Reactions, Engineering, and much much more with host Sabrina Cruz. So, join us every Tuesday and Thursday for new uploads.

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Activities created by the National Space Academy

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We’ve worked with lots of organisations, scientists and teachers to develop educational resources and activities.

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Activities about space from the Uk Space Agency

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Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.

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The UK is planning to develop several spaceports to launch rockets carrying satellites into space. This resource contains eight activities, which look at the development of a UK Spaceport and the launch of satellites into Earth orbit. They link to aspects of geography, science and engineering.

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Science experiments at home

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If you're looking for a great science experiment, you've come to the right place. Science Sparks™ is bursting with easy science experiments for kids of all ages. Discover our fun facts, cool science experiments, FREE science printables, awesome science fair projects and super STEM challenges!

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Most Popular Science Experiments

These are my most popular tried and tested science experiments for home, school or science club.

New this week

Catch up with this week's new and updated science investigations.

Science Sparks Questions

Ask a question and try an activity to find the answer!
More Science Sparks Questions
Autumn Science Experiments

Seeds, leaves, apples and Autumn STEM challenges for kids

See more science experiments for autumn→

Wonderful Women in STEM

These remarkable female scientists changed the world with their discoveries, paving the way for generations of women to follow their dreams.

See more inspirational female scientists →

Brilliant Baking Soda Experiments

Baking soda experiments are not just volcanoes. Make colour changing potions, power a bottle boat and lots more fizzy science fun!

See more brilliant baking soda experiments →

School Science Club Experiments

Find more ideas for a school science club→

Science in Stories

Read a book and try a science activity related to the story. These imaginative, creative science investigations are suitable for kids of all ages.

See more science in stories→

Free STEM Challenge Templates

Find 100s of FREE experiment instructions, templates, activity packs and more!

More Science Experiment Instructions and Templates

What is Science Sparks?

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Exciting and easy science experiments for kids of all ages. STEM challenges, science facts, science fair projects and more awesome science

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The Woodland Trust are a great resource for learning more about your local wooldlands and wildlife

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Outdoor Activities for Children and Families - Woodland Trust

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Build dens. Spot wildlife. Make natural art. We've got plenty of ideas to help families enjoy woodland and the great outdoors all year round.

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We are experiencing a temporary problem with our website that we are working to resolve as quickly as possible. If you’re unable to access our site, please check back again soon. Thank you.

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Fun online science games for kids - BBC Bitesize

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Play these fun KS1 and KS2 science games from BBC Bitesize. Free science games made with teachers suitable for early years and primary learners.

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Watch full episodes of wildlife & natural history public TV series

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This resource provides recording sheets for spotting different kinds of birds, supporting children to identify and count the number of different birds that they see. Containing pictures of commonly seen garden birds, they are differentiated for different year groups and/or abilities within a class. Welsh language versions of the sheets have also been provided.This activity is part of the Big Schools’ Birdwatch pack, provided by the RSPB. This event is run annually and schools are encouraged to take part, however the activities may also be used independent of the larger survey at other times of the year.Register here to submit the results of your survey.

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Fun experiments from one of the best to do educational science

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Experiments you should try at home featuring topics from the Bill Nye The Science Guy show.

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Primary Science: Creatures and Colour - Live Lesson

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Watch again: A very special virtual school trip to the zoo! Naomi Wilkinson and Mr Smith join zoo ranger Sean, as well as a whole host of magnificent beasts, to investigate why animals are different colours.

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Fun and safe activities for you to do at home - videos included!

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Try your hand at one of many at home science experiments or explore our Ri Masterclass workshop resources.

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NASA encourages you to visit NASA Kids' Club and use its games and activities to inspire the next generation.

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Twig Science Reporter is a weekly science news service for your K-8 classroom.

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Online 3D simulation of the Solar System and night sky in real time - the Sun, planets, dwarf planets, comets, stars and constellations

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By converting our sims to HTML5, we make them seamlessly available across platforms and devices. Whether you have laptops, iPads, chromebooks, or BYOD, your favorite PhET sims are always right at your fingertips.Become part of our mission today, and transform the learning experiences of students everywhere!

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Learn about earth science with this water erosion demonstration!

Materials needed:
- Aluminum tray or plastic container
- Soil or sand
- Small rocks
- Water in a watering can/spray bottle

Create a landscape with soil and rocks, then 'rain' water to observe how water changes the land. Discuss erosion and landforms.

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Discover magnetism around the house!

Materials needed:
- Magnet
- Collection of household items
- Paper for recording

Predict which items will be attracted to the magnet, test predictions, and sort items into magnetic/non-magnetic groups. Create a chart of findings.

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Create magical color changes with household items!

Materials needed:
- Red cabbage
- Hot water
- Various liquids (vinegar, baking soda solution)
- Clear containers

Make red cabbage indicator by boiling cabbage and collecting purple water. Add drops to different solutions to observe color changes - teaching about acids and bases.

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Explore light and shadows!

Materials needed:
- Flashlight
- Various objects
- White wall or paper

Create shadows with different objects, measure shadow lengths at different times of day if using sunlight. Draw shadow outlines and observe how shadows change with light position.

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Visualize sound waves with this vibration experiment!

Materials needed:
- Plastic container with lid
- Uncooked rice
- Rubber band
- Plastic wrap

Stretch plastic wrap over container, secure with rubber band, place rice on top. Make sounds near the container and watch rice bounce with sound vibrations.

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Create a mini cloud and rain system!

Materials needed:
- Clear jar with lid
- Hot water
- Ice cubes
- Blue food coloring (optional)

Pour hot water in jar, place ice cubes on inverted lid. Observe as water vapor rises, condenses, and creates 'rain'. Excellent for teaching the water cycle!

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Explore static electricity with this simple but magical activity!

Materials needed:
- Tissue paper butterfly cutout
- Plastic straw
- Wool fabric or balloon

Rub the straw with wool/balloon and watch as the butterfly 'dances' when the charged straw is held nearby. Discuss static electricity and attraction.

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Learn about plant growth and recycling by regrowing vegetables from scraps.

Materials needed:
- Vegetable scraps (celery base, lettuce bottom, green onion roots)
- Small containers
- Water
- Sunny windowsill

Place the vegetable scraps in shallow water and observe daily changes. Keep a growth diary with drawings.

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Turn bath time or kitchen sink time into a science lesson!

Materials needed:
- Various household items (plastic toys, fruit, metal spoons, etc.)
- Large container of water
- Paper to record predictions

Have children predict which items will sink or float, then test their hypotheses. Discuss why some items float while others sink, introducing concepts of density and buoyancy.

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A colorful experiment teaching about water absorption and color mixing:

Materials needed:
- 7 clear glasses or plastic cups
- Paper towels
- Food coloring (red, yellow, blue)
- Water

Set up glasses in a row, fill alternate glasses with water and add different food colors. Connect glasses with folded paper towel bridges. Watch as the colors 'walk' across and mix!