Earth Science Science Fair Projects With Metamorphic Rocks

August 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Why not build a model for “earth science” science fair projects?

 

earth science science fair projects
Kids will be doing an “earth science” science fair project frequently throughout their school live. One early fun project for kids is to make a model of a metamorphic rock. People tend to forget that one of the five types of science fair projects includes making a model. Often when you are older the model will be included with the final presentation of an investigation project.

This project will show the effects of compression on metamorphic rocks. Heat and compression are what is needed over millions of years, to form these rocks, this earth science experiment shows the compression piece.

All you really need is modeling clay of different colors and and wax paper. And something really heavy. Five or six different colors of clay would make it easier to see when you are finished…

  • It will be a simple process. Take the wax paper and spread out some clay on top of it, let them experiment with how thick it is Then layer the different colors of clay on top of each other, again they can make each layer a different thickness or make them all the same. You could make two sets of modes,l one with them all the same thickness and another with a mixture of thin and thick.
  • Once you build you layers, put another layer of wax paper on top of the pile. Now you will be ready to make it metamorphic. Place a really heavy object on top of this pile. Three or four heavy dictionaries, or encyclopedias would work. Kids will have fun looking around the house for something really really heavy, to use.
  • Let it sit awhile and when you pull it off you will see the effect of compression and how the different colors were pressed into each other, and one of your “earth science” science fair projects is complete.

This is just an example of an easy science fair project for kids to do,  where visual “look” of the model becomes the best teacher.  That is the whole point, isn’t it?  You want the kids to learn something about science!  This is just one of the many benefits of using simple, easy science fair projects for your kids next science fair.

Besides earth science science fair projects there are other fun and interesting quick and easy science projects that can be done in less than a day with this link to 24 hour science projects.

Filed Under: Elementary Science Projects, Examples of Science Projects, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Easy Science Experiments For Kids

February 26, 2011 By 2 Comments

Getting Easy Science Fair Experiments for Kids Narrowed Down

When you need some easy science experiments for kids to by themselves, the first step should be to weed through your choices  and cut it down so the kids can deal with without getting overwhelmed. That way they can make their final choice on their own(with teacher approval, of course).

How to weed through all the  project choices and take out the ones that just won’t work.

  • Step 1:  Check out the topic.   Seems obvious, but if  it is supposed to be a geology theme, then  only search for geology related projects.  Electricity, evaporation, cells, magnets etc–Just keep to the topic an don’t get sidetracked.  Often the assignment is open-ended, so then you brainstorm topics  the kids  like and go from there.
  • Step 2:  Grade Level.  Look for a reference to the age or grade level in the summary. Don’t worry about difficult (yet).  Just make sure it is designed for the right grade There are plenty  easy science experiments for kids  for all grade levels, so they will be part of the mix..
  • Step 3: Project Type.   This means if it is an  investigation, collection, experimentation or demonstration project.  This is a common error both parents and kids can make, choosing the wrong project type and so lots of time is wasted. You can have a great experiment and get a bad grade simply for not doing the right type of project.
  • Step 4:  Time Frame.   Check the teachers directions to see if there is a time requirement.  Then check the due date and your family schedule and calculate how much time there will be available for your kid to do the project. Is there an empty weekend?  Do you have just one day?  Now eliminate all the ones that will take more time to do than you have.  You will have to toss some cool projects, but save them for another time in the future when you will have more time!

Now we Fine Tune and get to the easy science fair experiments for kids to pick from… aim for 5-10

  • Step 5  Complicated/Vague Directions. Toss all of the ones where the directions are incomplete, ones with no diagrams, graphs or pictures, or if they make no sense.  On the other side if the vocabulary used are words neither you nor you child understand,  toss it and move to another one.  There might be another on on the same topic/time frame with better directions!  The good science fair projects will always be written in a way the students doing them can understand
  • Step 6: Materials List.   Read the supply list and  trash it if there are odd or costly  items. To be one of the true  easy science experiments for kids, they will use everyday household  stuff.
  • Step 7:  Other Things.   Are there  easy online research materials ? Is there template for writing the reports? Are there pre-formatted spreadsheets? Does the organization  follow the scientific method?

By now you should have a good list of  5-10 good science fair project ideas. Hand the list to the child, or,  if they were helping you weed through, back off so they  can choose the one they want.   Parents need to stay out of this stage and let the kid take full ownership.

When time is cut short, which happens to everyone,  you not only need a quality project, that is easy to do but also one that can be finished in just  one or two days!

Looking for Easy Science Experiments for Kids?  Click Here to Get Yours Today!

Filed Under: Choosing a Science Project Topic, Last Minute Science Projects Tagged With: , , ,