Mini-Science Experiment Ideas Needed (for a 2nd grader)

[Grady Clay]

Here is cross reference:

Science Fair Project 2007

Mini-Science Experiment Ideas Needed (for a 2nd grader)

If you want Science Fair info, I can help.

Best,
Grady

[JavaBrewer]

My son did the electric circut thing. Piece of wood with a D cell battery holder mounted, a couple nails as terminals with a paper clip switch, some alligator clip wires, an electric motor, and a light bulb. We studied the concepts together and he went off and assembled on his own. Easy to build, explain, and demo thus a success.

[kach22i]

Hovercraft/Friction:
http://www.questacon.edu.au/html/squad_activities/forces_cd_hovercraft.html

Materials

* Old CD
* Pop-top lid from a drink bottle
* Craft glue
* Balloon

More details in this example:
http://waterrocket.uh-lab.de/o_uses_hovercraft.htm

[M.D. Holloway]

Some of your suggestions are great. They will make great projects for the Cub Scouts as well. Thanks guys!

He decided to go with the conductivity experiment. He has 10 items (metal, plastic, and ceramic). He and I made a spreadsheet with the items listed. He will ask the class to guess (or give their hypothesis) on if the item will conduct electricity or not.

Then he will test each item for electrical conductivity using my multi-meter. If it buzzes, it conducts. I told him if he uses the phrase "Now let us validate our hypothesis" except he uses the word hippopotamus instead, it might be worth extra points.

The kids will fill out the spreadsheets with the data. He will finish out with the question "What do all the items that conduct have in common?"

To make it cool, he is going to wear my lab coat from GE (I always keep some souvenirs from my old posts).

[snowman]

Here is a new concept. How about letting the kid have an idea of his own. Show him several possibilities ala the suggestions here. Ask him if he has any ideas of his own and then support his decision by providing all the info you can on his choice.

[M.D. Holloway]

Thats a good idea. Thanks