Easy & Fun Solid, Liquid, Gas Science Experiment with Free Printable Page
Part of our kindergarten science curriculum requires us to teach the difference between a solid, liquid, and gas. This is a really simple and engaging experiment I found for helping students recognize a solid, liquid, and gas.
Ingredients: plastic water bottle water balloon Alka-Seltzer tablets
Fill the water bottle a little more than half way with water.
Explain to students that the tablet and the water bottle are both solids and the water is a liquid.
Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet in half and drop it in the water.
Observe the reaction between the tablet and the water. Point out the bubbles that are popping at the surface of the water and explain that the reaction created carbon dioxide bubbles (a gas).
Have students draw their observations.
Next, tell students you are going to repeat the activity using more Alka-Seltzer tablets and covering the top of the bottle with a balloon. Have students write and share their predictions of what they think will happen to the balloon.
Add 1-2 Alka-Seltzer tablets to the water and quickly cover the top of the bottle with the balloon. The trapped gas from the carbon dioxide bubbles will cause the balloon to inflate! Here is a time-lapse video:
We decided to find out what would happen if we added even more Alka-Seltzer to the water.
The additional Alka-Seltzer created more gas which got trapped in the balloon and made it inflate even more.
Have students draw what actually happened and write what they learned.
Click here to download the free printable page .
Additional experiment:.
Alka-Seltzer Snow Experiment – Here is another fun and engaging experiment that uses Alka-Seltzer and snow to teach students about the chemical reaction between an acid and a base.
Need more science ideas? CLICK HERE to find science experiments and STEM ideas for the entire school year.
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I’m Tina and I’ve taught preK and K for 20+ years. I share fun and creative ideas that spark your students’ love for learning.Â
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10 Kid-Friendly Experiments on the Science of Gas
Get hands-on with gas as a state of matter in these ten fun science experiments for kids. Youâll discover the awesome fizzy reactions and the incredible power gases like air have! Try these at home with the family and see for yourself. Side note: a joke or two will come with the territory of discussing this state of matter.
(Ages 9-16 )
Splish splash let's add a little science to the bath. These homemade bath bombs are the perfect present for mom on Mother's Day or any day of the year, and include a science lesson. I know my mom will appreciate these fizzy, DIY gifts when she relaxes in a nice warm bath. Plus, I added a personal touch by making them blue, her favorite color.
(Ages 3-8 )
If you're like me, learning the difference between solids, liquids, and gases as a kid felt just plain confusing. Hoping to make the concept a little easier for my boys, I was thrilled to run across this hands-on science activity from Fit Kids Clubhouse. I'm happy to report that I pinned it, did it, and loved it.
Impress your friends and family with this simple, quick, and super-cool 'egg in a bottle' science trick! You'll learn how to harness the power of expanding and contracting gasses to suck an egg into a bottle in which it would never normally fit.
Discover everything that eggs have to offer with Eggsperiments from the KiwiCo Store ! Use the scientific method with a series of egg-based experiments that explore chemistry, physics, and biology.
(Ages 7-16 )
Fizz, fizz, zoom! This baking soda experiment boat is easy to build and fun to race.
Discover more about the science of pressure with a Bottle Rocket kit from the KiwiCo Store ! Assemble a launcher, rocket, funnel, and launch mixture to experience some extremely fizzy fun.
Have you ever seen hot air rise? In this project, explore the physics behind thermal air currents (hot air rising) by harnessing them to power your own spinning flower! Note that this project uses fire and paper, and should only be attempted with adult supervision. Happy spinning! Check out this video tutorial to see all the steps in action!
(Ages 5-16 )
You don't need high-tech gadgets to make your own hovercraft! This balloon-powered toy is easy to make with household materials and is a ton of fun to send zooming around! We had so much fun passing the hovercraft across a long table. A light push sends it gliding along in a straight path. And, the balloon had enough air in it for a few pushes, which means you can involve a few friends. Keep blowing the balloon up for more and more fun!
Trade your hovercraft for a space shuttle with KiwiCo's Astronaut Starter Kit! This project comes with everything you need to construct a shuttle, paint a set of model planets, and more!
Did you know that you can create your own cloud in a bottle with just a few easy steps? Follow along with this simple DIY (or watch the video tutorial ) to learn about how clouds form, while creating you own cloud in a bottle!
Interested in the science of pressure? Learn about how pressure makes volcanos erupt with a Geologist Starter Kit from the KiwiCo Store !
Can you make a balloon inflate without using air? Sure you can! You just need to make carbon dioxide gas, which is easier than you think. When your vinegar and baking soda touch, get ready to watch the bubbly reaction!
Want to explore more hands-on science experiments without the hassle of gathering materials? Learn about chemistry and design out-of-this-world bath bombs with Planet Bath Bombs from the KiwiCo Store !
Are you in for a surprise treat to share with your friends and family? This homemade version of the classic pop rocks will get you fizzy with baking soda and citric acid! Personalize this candy with your own flavor and experience this chemical reaction in your mouth!
Want to explore more kitchen science experiments? Explore the tastier side of learning with Science of Cooking: Bread & Butter from the KiwiCo Store !
Try out this two-part water experiment! First--why can't you blow up a balloon in a bottle? And, second--what happens when you do...and then fill it with water?
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How I’d Teach the 3 States of Matter to 2nd Graders (With a Free Printable Matter Anchor Chart!)
As we dive into the world of solids, liquids, and gases with 2nd graders, here’s a tried-and-true approach to bring the states of matter to life in your classroom.
Step 1: The Explicit States of Matter Lesson
Introduce the Concept : Start with a simple explanation. Matter is everything around us and it comes in three forms – solids, liquids, and gases. Use everyday examples: ice (solid), water (liquid), and steam (gas).
Visual Aids : Employ charts and images to visually represent the states of matter.
đ âĄïž Grab your free 3 states of matter anchor charts here !
@teachtolovelearning After weâd make an anchor chart together as a class, these would be available for student reference! #teachersoftiktok #anchorcharts #2ndgradeteacher #anchorchart #elementaryteacher ⏠original sound – Jessica | Teachtolovelearning
Game: What’s the Matter? Chant as a class ‘What’s the Matter?’ and then students have to find something in the classroom that is made of matter and explain what state it’s in.
Step 2: Interactive Activities and Chants
Solids: the freeze dance game.
Activity : Play the Freeze Dance game. When the music stops, students freeze like solids, where particles are closely packed and don’t move freely.
Chant : đ” “Solid, solid, it doesn’t flow, Holds its shape, steady as we go! Particles close, moving oh so slow, In the world of solids, we’re pros!” đ”
Liquids: Water Relay Race
Activity : Organize a relay race where students carry water in spoons from one point to another. This illustrates how liquids can change shape but maintain volume.
Chant : đ” “Liquid, liquid, it flows away, Changing shape, in a sway! Particles move in a dance so free, Liquid’s the state we love to see!” đ”
Gases: Balloon Bash
Activity : Use balloons to demonstrate gases. When balloons are inflated, they show how gases fill and expand space.
Chant : đ” “Gas, gas, it fills the air, Expanding around, here and there! Particles fast, moving with flair, Gas is the state that’s everywhere!” đ”
Step 3: Reflection and Reinforcement
End the lesson with a discussion. Encourage students to talk about what they learned and ask questions. This reinforces the concepts and ensures understanding.
Like this science anchor chart?! There’s more where that came from. Gain access to hundreds of 2nd-grade anchor charts inside the Anchor Chart Club .
Get Your ALL ACCESS Shop Pass here â
Solid Liquid Gas Experiment
Looking to do quick and simple science with kids? This solid, liquid, and gas experiment uses very few supplies but demonstrates the concepts so easily! Plus, make sure to grab the free printable States of Matter mini pack.
Solid, Liquid, and Gas Experiment
💡 Here are more fun states of matter science experiments to explore!
Watch the Video:
YOU WILL NEED
- large bowl or two
- tongs (optional)
EXPERIMENT SET UP
Step 1: Fill a bowl full of ice! Here’s the solid-frozen water.
Step 2: Let the ice melt! Here’s the liquid – water.
Ok, so this could be the long part of the water science experiment unless you A) add warm water to the bowl or B) bring out a bowl of water to use and pretend you let the ice melt. We talked about how water is still matter, but it flows and has a shape that changes.
Try this preschool flower ice melt for additional science fun!
Step 3: Adults only! Carefully boil the water. The steam is the gas!
Optional, if safe to do so, allow your kid to feel the steam. What does it feel like?
STATES OF MATTER FOR KIDS
What is matter? In science, matter refers to any substance that has mass and takes up space. Matter consists of tiny particles called atoms , and it has different forms depending on how the atoms are arranged. This is what we call states of matter .
LOOK: Parts of an Atom with a simplified paper plate atom model activity!
WHAT ARE THE THREE STATES OF MATTER?
The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. Although a fourth state of matter exists, called plasma, it’s not shown in any demonstrations.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE STATES OF MATTER?
Solid: A solid has tightly packed particles in a specific pattern, which cannot move about. You will notice a solid keeps its own shape. Ice or frozen water is an example of a solid.
Liquid: In a liquid, the particles have some space between them with no pattern, so they are not in a fixed position. A liquid has no distinct shape but will take the shape of a container it is put into. Water is an example of a liquid.
Gas: In a gas, the particles move freely from one another. You can also say they vibrate! Gas particles spread out to take the shape of the container they are put in. Steam or water vapor is an example of a gas.
This is a great example of a physical change !
TRY THIS FREE STATES OF MATTER ACTIVITY
MORE FUN WATER EXPERIMENTS
Water is a fantastic science supply to have on hand. There are tons of cool ways to explore water science activities including the ones listed below!
- What solids dissolve in water?
- Walking Water
- Oil and Water Experiment
- Growing Crystals
- Water Cycle In A Bottle
- Floating Egg Saltwater Density
ALL KIDS CAN BE A SCIENTISTS!
So, what exactly is a scientist? How can you encourage your kids to be good scientists without a lot of effort, fancy equipment, or too difficult activities that create confusion rather than curiosity?
A scientist is a person who seeks to acquire knowledge about the natural world. Guess what? Kids do that naturally because they still learn and explore the world around them. All that exploring brings up a lot of questions!
Good scientists also ask questions as they explore the natural world, and we can further encourage this with these super simple science experiments. Knowledge is gained through all of these questions, explorations, and discoveries! Let’s help them with fun science activities that spark their inner scientist.
All About Scientists Lapbook
Download this free, all about scientists lapbook to learn more about what a scientist does and different types of scientists!
Printable Science Projects For Kids
If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!
- 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information. NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
- Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
- Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
- Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
- My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
- Bonus STEAM Project Pack: Â Art meets science with doable projects!
- Bonus Quick Grab Packs  for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics
Awesome! Looks like Liam enjoyed this.
Sarah, I love this post! Such a great idea and I could jump in my kitchen and do it right now! Thank you for continuing to inspire our learning at home – Liam is such a lucky little man!
This looks fun! I always considered matter are too complicated (for preschooler and me!) but this is explained in a child-friendly way. (Even I understand it! lol!) I’m totally going to have to look for that Bernstein Bears book!
Very simple way to show the states of matter. Thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library!
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Great idea and presentation,I tweaked it just a little and poured warm water over the ice to make steam and then of course it is the liquid! Thanks for sharing!
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Teaching Matter with Root Beer Floats!
- LearningLabResources
- October 26, 2013
- 10 Comments
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Reading & writing, classroom ideas, social studies, anchor charts.
The Root Beer Float states of matter experiment is an edible science experiment that teaches and shows the different states of matter.
Matter is everywhere. As part of our elementary science curriculum, we are required to not just teach the students about Matter, but also to help them identify the different states of matter and observe/learn how each state changes.
The root beer floats experiment is the perfect medium for learning about the states of matter because it is a simple, fun, and engaging way to teach science and get your students feeling like scientists.
Root beer float states of matter experiment:
Are your students tired of only reading about matter? Let them experience a solid, liquid, and gas by creating root beer floats!
My students pretty much loved âmy student teacher and Iâ on Friday as we are about to conclude our unit on Matter. They have been very good about recognizing the various states and how the states change.
As a little reward for their hard work during this unit, we decided to give them some root beer floats â but not without learning about them first!
Root Beer Float States of Matter Experiment
What youâll need:.
For this root beer floats states of matter experiment, youâll the following items:
- Clear cups or mugs
- Ice cream scoop
- Vanilla Icecream
Science Lab Steps: exploring states of matter with root beer floats
1. Pour the root beer into the cups:
While the students were in Library, my student teacher poured the root beer into cups. You should have seen their faces when I brought them back into the room. They thought we were just giving them something to drink!
Then, we reviewed liquids. The students were able to tell us that the liquids donât have a definite shape, take the shape of the container that they are in, and have molecules that can move freely.
2. Add scoops of the ice cream to the root beer:
After talking about liquids, we took out some ice cream that we were hiding. You would have thought we were giving them gold! They were so excited because they figured out what we were going to do! We also discussed solids and their properties and we took scoops and put them into the cups of root beer.
3. Observe the foam rise, discuss your observations and enjoy your float! The students were easily able to see how adding the ice cream made the carbonation in the root beer fizz, which they concluded was a gas.
We loved seeing the liquid fizz up into a gas!
Which State of Matter is each part of the Root Beer Float? (What happened)
In this root beer float states of matter experiment, you will find all 3 states of matter.
Liquid: The root beer is a liquid that takes the shape of the container (clear cups). Solid: The ice cream is a solid-state. And when you add the ice cream (solid) into the root beer â Gas: The Carbon Dioxide released as bubbles, fizz, or creamy foam is gas. The ice cream reacts with the root beer and releases carbon dioxide (gas) bubbles.
Root Beer Float FAQS
What is a root beer float.
Also popularly known as âBlack cow,â a root beer float is a kind of ice cream soda. It is made by adding vanilla ice cream (or any flavor of choice) to root beer. Read more about root beer floats
Why use Root Beer Floats to Teach States of Matter?
Because matter is everywhere, even in a root beer float! You can find all 3 states of matter â solids, liquids, and gasses in a root beer float.
Solid: ice cream Liquid: root beer Gas: The ice cream and root beer mix and create bubbles. Those bubbles are trapped gas.
Matter changes states; a liquid can become solid when it freezes, a solid becomes liquid when it melts, etc. and all these changes can happen in a root beer float. This is what makes the root beer floats science experiment the perfect one for teaching matter.
Why Do Root Beer Floats foam?
Adding anything to soda, or agitating it, creates small points (called nucleation sites) around which bubbles can form, allowing the CO2 to escape faster. This is why sodas bubble and foam up when you shake them.
So, the act of dropping ice cream into the carbonated root beer creates or releases bubbles. The soda helps to free air bubbles trapped in the ice cream. The fat in the ice cream coats all these bubbles, protecting them and allowing them to expand to create the huge heads of foam you see on root beer floats. (You can read all about it here .)
Read more: Science Labs â How the Environment Changes the Way Plants Grow
Wrapping things up â
From this root beer science experiment, your students can understand and see that there are three forms of matter:
Solid â like the ice cream in our experiment, has its own shape and form and has its molecules tightly coupled.
Liquid â just as the root beer in our experiment, takes the shape of the container into which it is poured.
Gas â Similar to the carbon dioxide released in the experiment, Gas has no shape or form. The molecules in a gas are loose and are very far from each other compared to liquids and solids.
A Root Beer float is made up of all of the three states of matter: Solid (Ice Cream), Liquid (Root Beer), and Gas (Creamy Foam).
This was such a fun way to end our week!
More Resources for You!
- Do you want to read about another fun way to teach the states of matter? Come read another of my posts about Demonstrating States of Matter By Making Orange Soda!
- If you are looking for some more activities to enhance your unit on matter, I have Matter â Solids, Liquids, Gases Unit Activities that you might want to check out! What I love about it is that it has reading comprehension passages that help tie in informational reading to science. The short fill-in-the-blank activities for each passage really help reinforce the skill of going back in the text to find your answer. You will also find a few interactive activities for your students to do too!
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Donât forget to leave a comment below, sharing your thoughts and how your root beer float experiment turned out.
Melissa Mazur
My name is Melissa and I am an educator, blogger, and curriculum designer. Iâm here to help offer you teaching tips and low-prep resources to help take some of the burdens off you so you can do what you do best â teach!
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Oh hey there!
My name is Melissa and I am an educator, blogger, and curriculum designer. Iâm here to help offer you teaching tips and low-prep resources to help take some of the burdens off you so you can do what you do best â teach! Â
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50 Exciting 2nd Grade Science Projects for the Classroom and Beyond
These simple ideas will help kids fall in love with science.
Kids love science, especially when it involves hands-on experiments. These 2nd grade science projects, experiments, and activities are guaranteed to bring excitement and enthusiastic vibes into your classroom. Your students will learn basic concepts about physics, chemistry, biology, and more while having a blast!
To make it even easier to find the best 2nd grade science projects, weâve given each a rating based on difficulty and the materials youâll need.
Difficulty:
- Easy: Low or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much anytime
- Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
- Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time and/or effort
- Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
- Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
- Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete
Nature and Earth Science 2nd Grade Science Projects
Food science activities and projects for 2nd graders, more 2nd grade science experiments and activities.
Explore animals, ecosystems, geology, plate tectonics, and more with these interesting and interactive 2nd grade science activities.
Pollinate like a bee
Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic
Use pipe cleaner bees to discover how these pollinators pick up and move cheese powder âpollenâ from one juice box flower to the next. Simple, fun, and adorable!
Learn more: Cheese Powder Pollination Activity at Around the Kampfire
Simulate a landslide
Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic ADVERTISEMENT
This NASA video shows you how to create an indoor landslide in a milk carton, showing students the power of weather, erosion, and nature in action.
Grow a sprout house
Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium
This two-part science project first challenges kids to use their engineering skills to construct a miniature house made of sponges . Then, they plant chia, alfalfa, or other quick-sprouting seeds and keep the sponges moist until they start to grow.
Learn more: Sponge Garden at The STEM Laboratory
Re-create the water cycle in a bag
This simple but effective experiment explores the water cycle. Fill a plastic bag partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually ârainsâ down.
Learn more: Water Cycle Bags at Grade School Giggles
Create an earth model from play dough
Play-Doh has so many uses in the classroom! Use it to teach 2nd grade science students about the layers of the earth by building a fun and colorful model.
Learn more: Layers of the Earth at The Crafty Classroom
Explore erosion with sugar cubes
Simulate the effects of erosion by shaking sugar cubes in a cup with some pebbles to see what happens. Get more ideas for 2nd grade science activities about erosion and weathering at the link.
Learn more: Weathering and Erosion at The First Grade Roundup
Find out which liquid is best for growing seeds
Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium
As you learn about the life cycle of plants , explore how water supports their growth. Plant seeds and water them with a variety of liquids to see which sprout first and grow best.
Learn more: Watering Experiment at Lessons for Little Ones
Build a folded mountain
This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some types of mountains are formed. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!
Learn more: Towel Mountain at The Chaos and the Clutter
Explode a balloon seed pod
After you learn about pollination, take the next step and explore how plants disperse their seeds far and wide. One way is with exploding seed pods. Use a balloon to see how it works.
Learn more: Seed Dispersal Activity at Around the Kampfire
Watch a leaf âbreatheâ
Plants âbreatheâ through transpiration, and you can see the process in action simply by submerging a leaf in water.
Learn more: Leaf Transpiration at KC Edventures With Kids
Grow a self-sustaining ecosystem
Plant seeds inside a sealed plastic bottle and observe both the water cycle and the plant life cycle in one simple 2nd grade science experiment.
Learn more: Plastic Bottle Planter at Carly and Adam
Compare and contrast animal habitats
Build a variety of habitats (woodland, arctic, savanna, etc.). Then have kids compare to see how they are similar (all have water) and how they are different (trees, temperatures, etc.).
Learn more: Animal Habitats at KC Edventures With Kids
Discover plate tectonics with graham crackers
Use graham crackers as the Earthâs crust floating on a bed of whipped topping âmantleâ to learn about how tectonic plates interact.
Learn more: Graham Cracker Plate Tectonics at Playdough to Plato
Collect and classify rocks
Take a nature walk to pick up rocks of all kinds. Bring them back and have kids examine them closely and sort them into groups by properties (color, size, shape, texture, and so on). This is a fantastic lead-in to learning about the types of rocks.
Learn more: Classifying Rocks at Rhythms of Play
Make edible dirt cups
Help your students remember the four types of soil with this tasty 2nd grade science experiment. Layer pudding, graham crackers, and Oreos for a mouthwatering, memorable lesson.
Learn more: Edible Soil Cups at The Kitchen Is My Playground
Raid the pantry and try these kitchen science experiments with your second graders! They all use common food items to explore all sorts of fascinating science concepts.
Power up a lemon battery
Hereâs another classic science experiment every kid should try. Theyâll be amazed to learn a citrus fruit can generate an electric current!
Learn more: Lemon Battery at Education.com
Conduct a cookie dunk experiment
Introduce or review the scientific method with a fun and easy experiment to determine which cookies float or sink when dunked in milk. Then you can eat the results! ( Find more great edible science experiments here. )
Learn more: Milk and Cookies Scientific Method Experiment at Around the Kampfire
Use bread to learn about handwashing
Thereâs never been a better time for an experiment involving the importance of washing your hands! All you need for this one is bread, plastic bags, and some dirty hands.
Learn more: Moldy Bread Experiment at Parenting Isnât Easy
Drink root beer floats to learn about states of matter
Whatâs easy to make, delicious to eat, and demonstrates all three states of matter at once? Root beer floats! This will easily be your studentsâ favorite science lesson of the year.
Learn more: Root Beer Float Science at Learning Lab Resources
Mix flavors in a lollipop lab
Candy science experiments are always a hit with kids! In this one, theyâll dissolve sugary lollipops in water, then mix flavors to make something new.
Learn more: Lollipop Lab at Fantastic Fun and Learning
Learn about osmosis with gummy bears
This is one of those classic experiments your 2nd grade science students will love to see in action. Soak the gummies in water to watch them grow through the power of osmosis.
Learn more: Osmosis Gummy Bears at Nurture Store UK
Freeze and observe liquid expansion
As you explore the states of matter, experiment to see if some types of liquid expand more than others when frozen.
Learn more: Freezing Liquids Experiment at Education.com
Use crackers to learn about properties of matter
Practice sorting, comparing, and classifying using properties of matter in this tasty experiment. All you need is a variety of snack crackers and inquiring minds! (These magnifying glasses would be fun too.)
Learn more: Properties of Matter Cracker Lab at Around the Kampfire
Demonstrate heat energy with chocolate kisses
Give each student two chocolate kiss candies to hold onto for five minutes. Students should keep one palm open, while closing their other around the kiss. See what happens simply from our body heat.
Learn more: Chocolate Kiss Experiment at Sandy Fiorini/TPT
Explode a watermelon
How many rubber bands does it take to make a watermelon explode? Find out while observing the concepts of potential and kinetic energy with your students.
Learn more: Exploding Watermelon Science at 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Turn an egg into a bouncy ball
Simply soak an egg in vinegar for 48 hours for this amazing chemical reaction. This is guaranteed to blow your studentsâ minds!
Learn more: Bouncy Egg Experiment at Cool Science Experiments Headquarters
Build a solar oven to make sâmores
Observe the power of solar energy while baking a delicious, gooey dessert in the process. Yum!
Learn more: Solar Oven Project at Desert Chica
Conduct an egg drop
In this STEM project, your students will create a protective egg holder from simple materials. They will love seeing if their contraption keeps their egg in one piece during the competition.
Learn more: Egg Drop at Buggy and Buddy
Drop a Mento in soda and watch it erupt
Here is another 2nd grade science experiment that will make your students explode with excitement. Drop a Mento candy in different types of soda, and see which one causes the tallest geyser.
Build marshmallow-and-pretzel structures
Get creative while practicing engineering skills by building structures with marshmallows and pretzels. Sweeten the deal by eating them afterwards!
Learn more: Pretzel Marshmallow STEM Challenge at The STEM Laboratory
Kids will love these 2nd grade science ideas, from making their own slime to projecting stars on their ceiling, and everything in between!
Brew up tie-dye slime
Slime is more than just an ever-popular toy. Itâs also got a lot of great science behind it. Mix up some eye-popping tie-dye slime and take the opportunity to learn about polymers and non-Newtonian fluids.
Learn more: Tie-Dye Slime at I Heart Arts and Crafts
Dissect a seed
Soak a large seed (beans are ideal) in water, then carefully take it apart to see whatâs inside. Draw a diagram to label parts like the seed coat and plant embryo.
Learn more: Seed Dissection at The Applicious Teacher
Use cereal to learn about states of matter
Learn how atom arrangements affect the states of matter with this easy 2nd grade science activity that doubles as a snack!
Learn more: Cereal States of Matter at The First Grade Roundup
Make a bouquet of chromatography flowers
Use chromatography to split secondary paint colors into their original hues. The results are both pretty and fascinating!
Learn more: Chromatography Flowers at 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Concoct a foaming rainbow
Every kid loves the classic baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction experiment. This version makes a foamy rainbow, thanks to some added food coloring.
Learn more: Foamy Rainbow at Messy Little Monster
Sculpt pipe cleaner constellations
Help kids find the constellations in the night sky by making these models from pipe cleaners . The little star beads are such a clever touch!
Learn more: Pipe Cleaner Constellations at 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Tell time with a sundial
How did people tell time before clocks and watches? Help 2nd grade science students find out by making their own sundials from paper plates.
Learn more: DIY Sundial at Paging Supermom
Race clothespin cars
Explore simple machines by building race cars from basic supplies like clothespins and drinking straws . Itâs a really fun way to learn about wheels and axles.
Learn more: Clothespin Cars at The Primary Brain
Build a body from play dough
Play-Doh activities are always fun to do! Visit the link below for free printable mats to use as you have your 2nd grade science students sculpt the bones, organs, and muscles of the body.
Learn more: Play-Doh Body at 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Turn pom-poms into crystal balls
Every kid loves making crystals! Theyâll learn about supersaturated solutions as they make these cute little crystal pom-pom balls.
Learn more: Crystal Pom-Poms at A Dab of Glue Will Do
Test sunscreen for effectiveness
Kids might wonder why they need to wear sunscreen when theyâre at the park or playing soccer. This experiment shows them the power of the sunâs rays and the protection sunscreen provides.
Learn more: Sunscreen Experiment at JDaniel4âs Mom
Design and build an index card tower
Challenge your 2nd grade science students to a little early engineering. Given only index cards , how tall and/or strong of a structure can they build?
Learn more: Index Card STEM Challenge at Education to the Core
Repel glitter with dish soap
Every teacher knows that glitter is just like germs ⊠it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage, and show students how soap fights glitter and germs.
Bend objects to test flexibility
Explore one of the properties of matter with this easy experiment. Kids plan how to test flexibility, then try it out with a variety of basic objects.
Learn more: Flexibility Experiment at Around the Kampfire
Discover density with saltwater solutions
This simple experiment covers a lot of 2nd grade science concepts. Learn about solutions, density, and even ocean science as you compare and contrast how objects float in different water mixtures.
Learn more: Water Density at The Science Kiddo
Blast off drinking-straw rockets
Engineer rockets from drinking straws and have a blast when you send them flying! Kids can tweak the design to see whose can fly the highest.
Learn more: Straw Rockets at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Create a solar system out of play dough
This is a perfect culminating project for your space unit. Your students can display their models at home when the project is complete.
Learn more: Play Dough Solar System at Good to Know
Count how many water drops will fit on a penny
How many water drops fit on a penny? Find out with this fun and easy experiment that focuses on surface tension. Your students will be amazed by the results!
Learn more: Penny Surface Tension at Little Bins for Little Hands
Project stars on the ceiling
Everyone loves visiting a planetarium. Turn your very own 2nd grade science classroom into one with this simple DIY star projector.
Learn more: Star Projector at Mystery Science
Write secret messages with invisible ink
Make your own invisible ink from just baking soda and water, then have your students write messages to one another. Reveal the secret messages with a flashlight once the ink is dry.
Learn more: Invisible Ink at ThoughtCo
Looking for more? Try these 25 Second Grade STEM Challenges To Help Kids Think Creatively .
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January 31, 2020 · 2 Comments
15 States of Matter Science Experiments for Kids
Freebies · homeschool
As a homeschooling mom, I want to give my children the best education possible. I want to give them hands-on experiences that will not only help them to learn important material, but that will also produce memories that last a lifetime. Sometimes though, I struggle with figuring out how to make certain topics and/or subjects not so dry and actually fun for them. Science was one of those areas for me. I LOVE science, but my children didn’t naturally share my enthusiasm. When I set out in their elementary years to try to teach them about the States of Matter , they seemed pretty bored…until I introduced some fun states of matter science experiments.
Trying to teach your kids about the states of matter can be kind of difficult for them to comprehend. Sometimes the best way to learn is by doing a hands-on activity that can show them these concepts in action! While you can observe as water becomes evaporated or watch rain turn to ice, sometimes the weather isnât in your favor. For those times when you want to teach your kids about the states of matter, you canât go wrong with a science experiment!
These will not only make learning the states of matter fun, but also teach them in a hands-on and visual way! These experiments go perfectly with my States of Matter Chemistry Study Pack ! Get your copy here!Â
- Oobleck ScienceÂ
- Sink or Float Experiment
- Experiment with Solids, Liquids, and Polymers
- Disappearing Egg Activity
- Ice Melting Science
- Dry Ice Experiment
- Orange Soda Science Experiment
- Lava Lamp Science
- Salt and Ice Activity
- Homemade Water Fountain
- Dancing Raisins
- Oil and Water Science Experiment
- Borax Bouncy Ball
- Making Slush
- Water Science Experiment
Looking for more hours of hands-on Science fun? Check out my Science of Slime Activity Pack ! It’s filled with unique slime recipes and experiments that your children will LOVE!
Head on over here and download this {free} STEM Activities Challenge pack, too!
You might also want to try these Halloween Parts of Speech flashcards
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Teaching How to Classify Matter in the Second Grade Classroom
Letâs learn how to classify matter! This post is full of states of matter activities for 2nd grade. Perfect for teaching kids all about the different properties of matter with fun hands-on ideas. These states of matter activity ideas  will help you plan your science lessons with ease. The best part about these worksheet and activity ideas is that they are all LOW-PREP and ready to go!
Topics to cover when learning about matter:
- The 3 states of matter
- How to classify matter
- The different properties of matter
- How to compare and contrast matter
- Matter changing states
States of Matter Activities for 2nd grade: Words to Know
When teaching kids about science, itâs important to review the vocabulary and to see what students already know. In first grade, students learn how to describe objects using their 5 senses, so be sure to use that as a starting point to your unit on classifying matter.
There are 6 vocabulary words that I like to discuss with my class. They are; matter, classify, describe, solid, liquid, and gas. I love showing my students real-life pictures to help them conceptualize the definition. Showing real-life photos is also a great way for your ELL to understand any new vocabulary words.
States of Matter: Videos
Before I have my class explore states of matter activities for 2nd grade, I like to watch fun videos and have students point out different examples of solid, liquid, and gas that they see. Incorporating a great video or book is a perfect way to get your students interested in the new topic.
Here are some fun videos that you can use:
- Science Video for Kids: States of Matter
- What’s Matter? – Crash Course Kids
States of Matter: Anchor Charts
Anchor charts also make a fun activity to introduce science concepts to kids. Here is one I created for my class last year.
I love using sticky notes to write down student responses. Throughout the week, I leave a pack of sticky notes out for them to write more examples of a solid, liquid, and gas. A big plus to using sticky notes on an anchor chart is that you can take off your class responses and save the anchor chart for the following year.
Check out my pack of anchor charts and posters to help you teach your class about the different states of matter.
How to Classify Matter Activities for Kids: Scavenger Hunt
Another fun states of matter activities for 2nd grade is a scavenger hunt. Once students have learned the difference between the three different states of matter, I love having them go outside or walk around the school to search for more examples of matter.
A scavenger hunt is a great way to get students excited to learn. You could even leave clues around the building to get students engaged and interested in the topic.
Classify Matter by Describing Properties
In addition to teaching students how to classify matter, I like to teach them how to describe its properties. An easy lab that you can recreate in your class is to have different objects set up around the room. have your class rotate to each station to write down what type of matter it is and what properties it has.
Be sure to practice describing objects beforehand. Check out this post on how to make observations in science: activities for kids to grab a few ideas when teaching about scientific observations.
Sorting States of Matter with Digital Activities
Using digital activities in a science center is one of my favorite ways to reinforce a topic we are learning about in science. I love having my class work on an iPad or computer when they are finished with a class assignment. Google slides also make great homework assignments.
This is an activity from a States of Matter Digital Activities for Google Slides pack in my shop. All of the assignments are pre-uploaded to google slides which make assigning resources a breeze.
Classify Matter with Jell-O
One of the last topics we discuss in our matter unit is about matter changing states. A fun activity my class loves to eat, I mean complete, is to observe jello being made. Making jello is easy and provides a great visual for students to witness the changes in matter taking place.
More States of Matter Activities for 2nd grade
I hope you have found some ideas you can use as you plan for teaching states of matter activities for 2nd grade. All of the activities in this post are part of my States of Matter Science Activities and Matter Worksheets unit. The digital activity is from my States of Matter Digital Activities for Google Slides pack. Click the links to check out all that is inside to help you plan out your unit on teaching the different states of matter.
Click HERE for the printable unit and HERE for the digital version. OR save money by purchasing the paper and digital bundle HERE .
Be sure to save this post by pinning this to your Pinterest account. That way, you can easily save these ideas to help you when you start teaching states of matter to your kids.
For More Science Activities, Visit These Posts!
GUIDE TO EASY WATER CYCLE ACTIVITIES FOR LESSON PLANNING
HABITATS ACTIVITIES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING
WHAT TO TEACH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR SCIENCE ANCHOR CHART IDEAS
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Second grade solid, liquid and gas
Resource type.
States of Matter Unit for 1st & 2nd Grade - Solids , Liquids , and Gasses
States of Matter Worksheet - Solid , Liquid , Gas Cut and Paste Worksheet
Second Grade Interactive Science Journal: Solids , Liquids , and Gases {Editable}
States of Matter Stability and Change Second Grade Science Solid , Liquid , & Gas
States of Matter Second Grade Science Solid , Liquid , and Gas Phases of Matter
States of Matter Game Scoot and Sort Solid Liquid Gas Worksheets Grades 2nd 3rd
2nd grade NG Science - Matter (Ch 1) Solid Liquid & Gas Study Guide & Test word
Second Grade Science Notebooks ( Solids , Liquids , and Gases Unit)
Matter: Solids , Liquids , and Gasses for 2nd grade
2nd grade NG Science - Matter (Ch 1) Solids Liquids & Gas Study Guide PDF
Properties of Matter Second Grade Science Unit NGSS
States of Matter - Solids , Liquids , and Gases - Science Experiments & Activities
States of Matter Digital Activities - Solid , Liquid , and Gas Science Activities
Second Grade Informational Writing Unit | Biographies & Lab Reports | Unit 6
2nd Grade States of Matter Activities Interactive Notebook
States of Matter & Phase Changes Heating and Cooling Solid , Liquid and Gas
States of Matter BOOM CARDSâą Digital Learning Game Solid | Liquid | Gas
States of Matter Labs in a Snap | Solid liquid gas activity | 2nd 3rd Grade
NGSS.2PS1-1-4: 2nd Grade : Properties of Matter/PRINTABLE & TPT DIGITAL Activities
2nd Grade Science: Structure and Properties of Matter (NGSS Aligned)
States of Matter Activity 2nd Grade Structures & Properties of Matter 3rd Grade
Physical Changes in Matter States of Matter 2nd Grade Chaning States of Matter
Matter Test for 2nd Grade
2nd Grade Science Activity Melting Matter Reversible and Irreversible Changes
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Properties of Matter Science Experiments for Second Grade
This post is a roundup of hands-on and fun properties of matter science experiments and STEAM activities that address second grade science standards. All of the materials used are easy to find and available at the dollar store.
Properties of Matter Science Experiments
It is essential when teaching science that our students learn to ask questions, make observations, and be able to communicate what they observe. We want our students to learn how to plan and carry out investigations and be able to interpret their results.
As you encourage your students to ask questions, guide them to see how their questions can be investigated. In the primary grades, we may need to provide the questions as a starting point.
The following are questions for students to investigate while learning about the structure and properties of matter. These investigations address:
- describing matter
- properties of objects
- the effects of temperature on matter
- combining matter
- solid, liquid, gas STEAM project
How can I describe matter?
Matter has observable, physical properties that are different shapes, colors, textures, materials, and sizes.
This highly engaging lab calls studentsâ attention to small details so that they can describe the properties of a variety of crackers. Click the link to read more: Properties of Matter Cracker Lab
What materials make an object flexible?
As students learn that the structure and properties of matter can be observed, give them experience in planning and conducting simple investigations.
Hardness, magnetism, and flexibility are properties that are easily tested. Gather a variety of objects so that students can test their flexibility. Click the link to read how we explored flexibility: Exploring Flexibility Lab
How does temperature change matter?
Did you know that ice cream is a solid, a liquid, and a gas all at once? This ice cream in a bag lab is a favorite science activity that is easily done in the classroom.
Students observe the effect of temperature on matter as a liquid mixture turns to a solid. Click the link to read the science behind t ice cream and see how itâs done: Ice Cream in a Bag Lab
What solids and liquids will create a gas?
This carbonation exploration uses Pop Rocks candy to investigate how combining a solid and a liquid can form a gas.
Learn how carbonation is made and how to do the lab: Pop Rocks Experiment
How can I design a toy using a solid, liquid and gas?
In this fun STEAM challenge students use a variety of materials to design a toy. Students plan the materials for their toy so that they use at least one solid, one liquid, and one gas.
Design a Toy lab source
The creative possibilities are endless! This lab is part of a second grade Properties of Matter science unit available HERE.
All of these labs are part of a complete Properties of Matter science unit for second grade.
These properties of matter science experiments are hands-on, fun and easy to do in the classroom.
For more second grade science activities visit these posts:
Properties of Matter Activities for Second Grade
18 Awesome States of Matter Books for Kids
Landforms & Earth Changes Activities
Activities to Teach the Engineering Design Process
Happy teaching!
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Iâm Linda Kamp, a 20 year primary grade teacher with a passion for creating educational materials that excite students and make learning fun! I'm so glad you're here!
50 Fun and Easy 2nd Grade Science Experiments & Activities
Kids love science, especially when it involves hands-on experiments. These 2nd grade science projects, experiments, and activities are guaranteed to bring excitement and enthusiastic vibes into your classroom. Your students will learn basic concepts about physics, chemistry, biology, and more while having a blast!
To make it even easier to find the best 2nd grade science projects, weâve given each a rating based on difficulty and the materials youâll need.
Difficulty:
- Easy: Low or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much anytime
- Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
- Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time and/or effort
- Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
- Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
- Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete
Nature and Earth Science 2nd Grade Science Projects
Explore animals, ecosystems, geology, plate tectonics, and more with these interesting and interactive 2nd grade science activities.
Pollinate like a bee
Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic
Use pipe cleaner bees to discover how these pollinators pick up and move cheese powder âpollenâ from one juice box flower to the next. Simple, fun, and adorable!
Learn more: Cheese Powder Pollination Activity at Around the Kampfire
Simulate a landslide
This NASA video shows you how to create an indoor landslide in a milk carton, showing students the power of weather, erosion, and nature in action.
Grow a sprout house
Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium
This two-part science project first challenges kids to use their engineering skills to construct a miniature house made of sponges . Then, they plant chia, alfalfa, or other quick-sprouting seeds and keep the sponges moist until they start to grow.
Learn more: Sponge Garden at The STEM Laboratory
Re-create the water cycle in a bag
This simple but effective experiment explores the water cycle. Fill a plastic bag partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually ârainsâ down.
Learn more: Water Cycle Bags at Grade School Giggles
Create an earth model from play dough
Play-Doh has so many uses in the classroom! Use it to teach 2nd grade science students about the layers of the earth by building a fun and colorful model.
Learn more: Layers of the Earth at The Crafty Classroom
Explore erosion with sugar cubes
Simulate the effects of erosion by shaking sugar cubes in a cup with some pebbles to see what happens. Get more ideas for 2nd grade science activities about erosion and weathering at the link.
Learn more: Weathering and Erosion at The First Grade Roundup
Find out which liquid is best for growing seeds
Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium
As you learn about the life cycle of plants , explore how water supports their growth. Plant seeds and water them with a variety of liquids to see which sprout first and grow best.
Learn more: Watering Experiment at Lessons for Little Ones
Build a folded mountain
This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some types of mountains are formed. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!
Learn more: Towel Mountain at The Chaos and the Clutter
Explode a balloon seed pod
After you learn about pollination, take the next step and explore how plants disperse their seeds far and wide. One way is with exploding seed pods. Use a balloon to see how it works.
Learn more: Seed Dispersal Activity at Around the Kampfire
Watch a leaf âbreatheâ
Plants âbreatheâ through transpiration, and you can see the process in action simply by submerging a leaf in water.
Learn more: Leaf Transpiration at KC Edventures With Kids
Grow a self-sustaining ecosystem
Plant seeds inside a sealed plastic bottle and observe both the water cycle and the plant life cycle in one simple 2nd grade science experiment.
Learn more: Plastic Bottle Planter at Carly and Adam
Compare and contrast animal habitats
Build a variety of habitats (woodland, arctic, savanna, etc.). Then have kids compare to see how they are similar (all have water) and how they are different (trees, temperatures, etc.).
Learn more: Animal Habitats at KC Edventures With Kids
Discover plate tectonics with graham crackers
Use graham crackers as the Earthâs crust floating on a bed of whipped topping âmantleâ to learn about how tectonic plates interact.
Learn more: Graham Cracker Plate Tectonics at Playdough to Plato
Collect and classify rocks
Take a nature walk to pick up rocks of all kinds. Bring them back and have kids examine them closely and sort them into groups by properties (color, size, shape, texture, and so on). This is a fantastic lead-in to learning about the types of rocks.
Learn more: Classifying Rocks at Rhythms of Play
Make edible dirt cups
Help your students remember the four types of soil with this tasty 2nd grade science experiment. Layer pudding, graham crackers, and Oreos for a mouthwatering, memorable lesson.
Learn more: Edible Soil Cups at The Kitchen Is My Playground
Food Science Activities and Projects for 2nd Graders
Raid the pantry and try these kitchen science experiments with your second graders! They all use common food items to explore all sorts of fascinating science concepts.
Power up a lemon battery
Hereâs another classic science experiment every kid should try. Theyâll be amazed to learn a citrus fruit can generate an electric current!
Learn more: Lemon Battery at Education.com
Conduct a cookie dunk experiment
Introduce or review the scientific method with a fun and easy experiment to determine which cookies float or sink when dunked in milk. Then you can eat the results! ( Find more great edible science experiments here. )
Learn more: Milk and Cookies Scientific Method Experiment at Around the Kampfire
Use bread to learn about handwashing
Thereâs never been a better time for an experiment involving the importance of washing your hands! All you need for this one is bread, plastic bags, and some dirty hands.
Learn more: Moldy Bread Experiment at Parenting Isnât Easy
Drink root beer floats to learn about states of matter
Whatâs easy to make, delicious to eat, and demonstrates all three states of matter at once? Root beer floats! This will easily be your studentsâ favorite science lesson of the year.
Learn more: Root Beer Float Science at Learning Lab Resources
Mix flavors in a lollipop lab
Candy science experiments are always a hit with kids! In this one, theyâll dissolve sugary lollipops in water, then mix flavors to make something new.
Learn more: Lollipop Lab at Fantastic Fun and Learning
Learn about osmosis with gummy bears
This is one of those classic experiments your 2nd grade science students will love to see in action. Soak the gummies in water to watch them grow through the power of osmosis.
Learn more: Osmosis Gummy Bears at Nurture Store UK
Freeze and observe liquid expansion
As you explore the states of matter, experiment to see if some types of liquid expand more than others when frozen.
Learn more: Freezing Liquids Experiment at Education.com
Use crackers to learn about properties of matter
Practice sorting, comparing, and classifying using properties of matter in this tasty experiment. All you need is a variety of snack crackers and inquiring minds! (These magnifying glasses would be fun too.)
Learn more: Properties of Matter Cracker Lab at Around the Kampfire
Demonstrate heat energy with chocolate kisses
Give each student two chocolate kiss candies to hold onto for five minutes. Students should keep one palm open, while closing their other around the kiss. See what happens simply from our body heat.
Learn more: Chocolate Kiss Experiment at Sandy Fiorini/TPT
Explode a watermelon
How many rubber bands does it take to make a watermelon explode? Find out while observing the concepts of potential and kinetic energy with your students.
Learn more: Exploding Watermelon Science at 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Turn an egg into a bouncy ball
Simply soak an egg in vinegar for 48 hours for this amazing chemical reaction. This is guaranteed to blow your studentsâ minds!
Learn more: Bouncy Egg Experiment at Cool Science Experiments Headquarters
Build a solar oven to make sâmores
Observe the power of solar energy while baking a delicious, gooey dessert in the process. Yum!
Learn more: Solar Oven Project at Desert Chica
Conduct an egg drop
In this STEM project, your students will create a protective egg holder from simple materials. They will love seeing if their contraption keeps their egg in one piece during the competition.
Learn more: Egg Drop at Buggy and Buddy
Drop a Mento in soda and watch it erupt
Here is another 2nd grade science experiment that will make your students explode with excitement. Drop a Mento candy in different types of soda, and see which one causes the tallest geyser.
Build marshmallow-and-pretzel structures
Get creative while practicing engineering skills by building structures with marshmallows and pretzels. Sweeten the deal by eating them afterwards!
Learn more: Pretzel Marshmallow STEM Challenge at The STEM Laboratory
More 2nd Grade Science Experiments and Activities
Kids will love these 2nd grade science ideas, from making their own slime to projecting stars on their ceiling, and everything in between!
Brew up tie-dye slime
Slime is more than just an ever-popular toy. Itâs also got a lot of great science behind it. Mix up some eye-popping tie-dye slime and take the opportunity to learn about polymers and non-Newtonian fluids.
Learn more: Tie-Dye Slime at I Heart Arts and Crafts
Dissect a seed
Soak a large seed (beans are ideal) in water, then carefully take it apart to see whatâs inside. Draw a diagram to label parts like the seed coat and plant embryo.
Learn more: Seed Dissection at The Applicious Teacher
Use cereal to learn about states of matter
Learn how atom arrangements affect the states of matter with this easy 2nd grade science activity that doubles as a snack!
Learn more: Cereal States of Matter at The First Grade Roundup
Make a bouquet of chromatography flowers
Use chromatography to split secondary paint colors into their original hues. The results are both pretty and fascinating!
Learn more: Chromatography Flowers at 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Concoct a foaming rainbow
Every kid loves the classic baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction experiment. This version makes a foamy rainbow, thanks to some added food coloring.
Learn more: Foamy Rainbow at Messy Little Monster
Sculpt pipe cleaner constellations
Help kids find the constellations in the night sky by making these models from pipe cleaners . The little star beads are such a clever touch!
Learn more: Pipe Cleaner Constellations at 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Tell time with a sundial
How did people tell time before clocks and watches? Help 2nd grade science students find out by making their own sundials from paper plates.
Learn more: DIY Sundial at Paging Supermom
Race clothespin cars
Explore simple machines by building race cars from basic supplies like clothespins and drinking straws . Itâs a really fun way to learn about wheels and axles.
Learn more: Clothespin Cars at The Primary Brain
Build a body from play dough
Play-Doh activities are always fun to do! Visit the link below for free printable mats to use as you have your 2nd grade science students sculpt the bones, organs, and muscles of the body.
Learn more: Play-Doh Body at 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Turn pom-poms into crystal balls
Every kid loves making crystals! Theyâll learn about supersaturated solutions as they make these cute little crystal pom-pom balls.
Learn more: Crystal Pom-Poms at A Dab of Glue Will Do
Test sunscreen for effectiveness
Kids might wonder why they need to wear sunscreen when theyâre at the park or playing soccer. This experiment shows them the power of the sunâs rays and the protection sunscreen provides.
Learn more: Sunscreen Experiment at JDaniel4âs Mom
Design and build an index card tower
Challenge your 2nd grade science students to a little early engineering. Given only index cards , how tall and/or strong of a structure can they build?
Learn more: Index Card STEM Challenge at Education to the Core
Repel glitter with dish soap
Every teacher knows that glitter is just like germs ⊠it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage, and show students how soap fights glitter and germs.
Bend objects to test flexibility
Explore one of the properties of matter with this easy experiment. Kids plan how to test flexibility, then try it out with a variety of basic objects.
Learn more: Flexibility Experiment at Around the Kampfire
Discover density with saltwater solutions
This simple experiment covers a lot of 2nd grade science concepts. Learn about solutions, density, and even ocean science as you compare and contrast how objects float in different water mixtures.
Learn more: Water Density at The Science Kiddo
Blast off drinking-straw rockets
Engineer rockets from drinking straws and have a blast when you send them flying! Kids can tweak the design to see whose can fly the highest.
Learn more: Straw Rockets at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Create a solar system out of play dough
This is a perfect culminating project for your space unit. Your students can display their models at home when the project is complete.
Learn more: Play Dough Solar System at Good to Know
Count how many water drops will fit on a penny
How many water drops fit on a penny? Find out with this fun and easy experiment that focuses on surface tension. Your students will be amazed by the results!
Learn more: Penny Surface Tension at Little Bins for Little Hands
Project stars on the ceiling
Everyone loves visiting a planetarium. Turn your very own 2nd grade science classroom into one with this simple DIY star projector.
Learn more: Star Projector at Mystery Science
Write secret messages with invisible ink
Make your own invisible ink from just baking soda and water, then have your students write messages to one another. Reveal the secret messages with a flashlight once the ink is dry.
Learn more: Invisible Ink at ThoughtCo
Looking for more? Try these 25 Second Grade STEM Challenges To Help Kids Think Creatively .
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Global Energy Crisis
How the energy crisis started, how global energy markets are impacting our daily life, and what governments are doing about it
- English English
What is the energy crisis?
Record prices, fuel shortages, rising poverty, slowing economies: the first energy crisis that's truly global.
Energy markets began to tighten in 2021 because of a variety of factors, including the extraordinarily rapid economic rebound following the pandemic. But the situation escalated dramatically into a full-blown global energy crisis following Russiaâs invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The price of natural gas reached record highs, and as a result so did electricity in some markets. Oil prices hit their highest level since 2008.
Higher energy prices have contributed to painfully high inflation, pushed families into poverty, forced some factories to curtail output or even shut down, and slowed economic growth to the point that some countries are heading towards severe recession. Europe, whose gas supply is uniquely vulnerable because of its historic reliance on Russia, could face gas rationing this winter, while many emerging economies are seeing sharply higher energy import bills and fuel shortages. While todayâs energy crisis shares some parallels with the oil shocks of the 1970s, there are important differences. Todayâs crisis involves all fossil fuels, while the 1970s price shocks were largely limited to oil at a time when the global economy was much more dependent on oil, and less dependent on gas. The entire word economy is much more interlinked than it was 50 years ago, magnifying the impact. Thatâs why we can refer to this as the first truly global energy crisis.
Some gas-intensive manufacturing plants in Europe have curtailed output because they canât afford to keep operating, while in China some have simply had their power supply cut. In emerging and developing economies, where the share of household budgets spent on energy and food is already large, higher energy bills have increased extreme poverty and set back progress towards achieving universal and affordable energy access. Even in advanced economies, rising prices have impacted vulnerable households and caused significant economic, social and political strains.
Climate policies have been blamed in some quarters for contributing to the recent run-up in energy prices, but there is no evidence. In fact, a greater supply of clean energy sources and technologies would have protected consumers and mitigated some of the upward pressure on fuel prices.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine drove European and Asian gas prices to record highs
Evolution of key regional natural gas prices, june 2021-october 2022, what is causing it, disrupted supply chains, bad weather, low investment, and then came russia's invasion of ukraine.
Energy prices have been rising since 2021 because of the rapid economic recovery, weather conditions in various parts of the world, maintenance work that had been delayed by the pandemic, and earlier decisions by oil and gas companies and exporting countries to reduce investments. Russia began withholding gas supplies to Europe in 2021, months ahead of its invasion of Ukraine. All that led to already tight supplies. Russiaâs attack on Ukraine greatly exacerbated the situation . The United States and the EU imposed a series of sanctions on Russia and many European countries declared their intention to phase out Russian gas imports completely. Meanwhile, Russia has increasingly curtailed or even turned off its export pipelines. Russia is by far the worldâs largest exporter of fossil fuels, and a particularly important supplier to Europe. In 2021, a quarter of all energy consumed in the EU came from Russia. As Europe sought to replace Russian gas, it bid up prices of US, Australian and Qatari ship-borne liquefied natural gas (LNG), raising prices and diverting supply away from traditional LNG customers in Asia. Because gas frequently sets the price at which electricity is sold, power prices soared as well. Both LNG producers and importers are rushing to build new infrastructure to increase how much LNG can be traded internationally, but these costly projects take years to come online. Oil prices also initially soared as international trade routes were reconfigured after the United States, many European countries and some of their Asian allies said they would no longer buy Russian oil. Some shippers have declined to carry Russian oil because of sanctions and insurance risk. Many large oil producers were unable to boost supply to meet rising demand â even with the incentive of sky-high prices â because of a lack of investment in recent years. While prices have come down from their peaks, the outlook is uncertain with new rounds of European sanctions on Russia kicking in later this year.
What is being done?
Pandemic hangovers and rising interest rates limit public responses, while some countries turn to coal.
Some governments are looking to cushion the blow for customers and businesses, either through direct assistance, or by limiting prices for consumers and then paying energy providers the difference. But with inflation in many countries well above target and budget deficits already large because of emergency spending during the Covid-19 pandemic, the scope for cushioning the impact is more limited than in early 2020. Rising inflation has triggered increases in short-term interest rates in many countries, slowing down economic growth. Europeans have rushed to increase gas imports from alternative producers such as Algeria, Norway and Azerbaijan. Several countries have resumed or expanded the use of coal for power generation, and some are extending the lives of nuclear plants slated for de-commissioning. EU members have also introduced gas storage obligations, and agreed on voluntary targets to cut gas and electricity demand by 15% this winter through efficiency measures, greater use of renewables, and support for efficiency improvements. To ensure adequate oil supplies, the IEA and its members responded with the two largest ever releases of emergency oil stocks. With two decisions â on 1 March 2022 and 1 April â the IEA coordinated the release of some 182 million barrels of emergency oil from public stocks or obligated stocks held by industry. Some IEA member countries independently released additional public stocks, resulting in a total of over 240 million barrels being released between March and November 2022.
The IEA has also published action plans to cut oil use with immediate impact, as well as plans for how Europe can reduce its reliance on Russian gas and how common citizens can reduce their energy consumption . The invasion has sparked a reappraisal of energy policies and priorities, calling into question the viability of decades of infrastructure and investment decisions, and profoundly reorientating international energy trade. Gas had been expected to play a key role in many countries as a lower-emitting "bridge" between dirtier fossil fuels and renewable energies. But todayâs crisis has called into question natural gasâ reliability.
The current crisis could accelerate the rollout of cleaner, sustainable renewable energy such as wind and solar, just as the 1970s oil shocks spurred major advances in energy efficiency, as well as in nuclear, solar and wind power. The crisis has also underscored the importance of investing in robust gas and power network infrastructure to better integrate regional markets. The EUâs RePowerEU, presented in May 2022 and the United Statesâ Inflation Reduction Act , passed in August 2022, both contain major initiatives to develop energy efficiency and promote renewable energies.
The global energy crisis can be a historic turning point
Energy saving tips
1. Heating: turn it down
Lower your thermostat by just 1°C to save around 7% of your heating energy and cut an average bill by EUR 50-70 a year. Always set your thermostat as low as feels comfortable, and wear warm clothes indoors. Use a programmable thermostat to set the temperature to 15°C while you sleep and 10°C when the house is unoccupied. This cuts up to 10% a year off heating bills. Try to only heat the room youâre in or the rooms you use regularly.
The same idea applies in hot weather. Turn off air-conditioning when youâre out. Set the overall temperature 1 °C warmer to cut bills by up to 10%. And only cool the room youâre in.
2. Boiler: adjust the settings
Default boiler settings are often higher than you need. Lower the hot water temperature to save 8% of your heating energy and cut EUR 100 off an average bill. You may have to have the plumber come once if you have a complex modern combi boiler and canât figure out the manual. Make sure you follow local recommendations or consult your boiler manual. Swap a bath for a shower to spend less energy heating water. And if you already use a shower, take a shorter one. Hot water tanks and pipes should be insulated to stop heat escaping. Clean wood- and pellet-burning heaters regularly with a wire brush to keep them working efficiently.
3. Warm air: seal it in
Close windows and doors, insulate pipes and draught-proof around windows, chimneys and other gaps to keep the warm air inside. Unless your home is very new, you will lose heat through draughty doors and windows, gaps in the floor, or up the chimney. Draught-proof these gaps with sealant or weather stripping to save up to EUR 100 a year. Install tight-fitting curtains or shades on windows to retain even more heat. Close fireplace and chimney openings (unless a fire is burning) to stop warm air escaping straight up the chimney. And if you never use your fireplace, seal the chimney to stop heat escaping.
4. Lightbulbs: swap them out
Replace old lightbulbs with new LED ones, and only keep on the lights you need. LED bulbs are more efficient than incandescent and halogen lights, they burn out less frequently, and save around EUR 10 a year per bulb. Check the energy label when buying bulbs, and aim for A (the most efficient) rather than G (the least efficient). The simplest and easiest way to save energy is to turn lights off when you leave a room.
5. Grab a bike
Walking or cycling are great alternatives to driving for short journeys, and they help save money, cut emissions and reduce congestion. If you can, leave your car at home for shorter journeys; especially if itâs a larger car. Share your ride with neighbours, friends and colleagues to save energy and money. Youâll also see big savings and health benefits if you travel by bike. Many governments also offer incentives for electric bikes.
6. Use public transport
For longer distances where walking or cycling is impractical, public transport still reduces energy use, congestion and air pollution. If youâre going on a longer trip, consider leaving your car at home and taking the train. Buy a season ticket to save money over time. Your workplace or local government might also offer incentives for travel passes. Plan your trip in advance to save on tickets and find the best route.
7. Drive smarter
Optimise your driving style to reduce fuel consumption: drive smoothly and at lower speeds on motorways, close windows at high speeds and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Try to take routes that avoid heavy traffic and turn off the engine when youâre not moving. Drive 10 km/h slower on motorways to cut your fuel bill by around EUR 60 per year. Driving steadily between 50-90 km/h can also save fuel. When driving faster than 80 km/h, itâs more efficient to use A/C, rather than opening your windows. And service your engine regularly to maintain energy efficiency.
Analysis and forecast to 2026
Fuel report â December 2023
Europeâs energy crisis: Understanding the drivers of the fall in electricity demand
Commentary â 09 May 2023
Where things stand in the global energy crisis one year on
Commentary â 23 February 2023
The global energy crisis pushed fossil fuel consumption subsidies to an all-time high in 2022
Commentary â 16 February 2023
Fossil Fuels Consumption Subsidies 2022
Policy report â February 2023
Background note on the natural gas supply-demand balance of the European Union in 2023
Report â February 2023
Analysis and forecast to 2025
Fuel report â December 2022
How to Avoid Gas Shortages in the European Union in 2023
A practical set of actions to close a potential supply-demand gap
Flagship report â December 2022
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COMMENTS
A fun and easy science experiment for teaching students the difference between a solid, liquid, and gas! This engaging activity uses a plastic water bottle, water, a balloon, and Alka-Seltzer tablets to demonstrate the states of matter in an exciting way. Watch as the reaction inflates the balloon and download a free printable page to enhance the learning experience.
Get hands-on with gas as a state of matter in these ten fun science experiments for kids. You'll discover the awesome fizzy reactions and the incredible power gases like air have! Try these at home with the family and see for yourself. Side note: a joke or two will come with the territory of discussing this state of matter. Bath Bombs. (Ages ...
Chant: đ” "Gas, gas, it fills the air, Expanding around, here and there! Particles fast, moving with flair, Gas is the state that's everywhere!" đ”. Step 3: Reflection and Reinforcement. End the lesson with a discussion. Encourage students to talk about what they learned and ask questions. This reinforces the concepts and ensures ...
All Grades K-5 All Grades 6-12 PreK 6th Grade Kindergarten 7th Grade 1st Grade 8th Grade 2nd Grade 9th Grade 3rd Grade 10th Grade 4th Grade 11th ... of matter activities help them learn the physical changes that take place as matter converts from solid to liquid to gas. They'll enjoy the hands-on aspects as they get to see science in action ...
I know your class will enjoy this Pop Rocks science experiment as a fun way to explore combining a solid and liquid to form a gas. For more science experiments and properties of matter activities visit these posts: Exploring Solids, Their Properties & Flexibility. Marvelous Matter Activities for 2nd Grade Scientists. Properties of Matter ...
This states of matter for kids project allows you to EASILY introduce the 3 states of matter for kids using balloons! This solid liquid gas kindergarten, pre-k, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and up is perfect for summer learning, science lesson, and more. WE've also included a wy to turn this into a density experiment for kids ...
Challenge your students to design and build a toy using all three states of matter. Source: Properties of Matter 2nd Grade Science. Provide these materials or anything else you can think of for students to use. Solids: cardboard, card stock or construction paper. yarn, string, pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes.
EXPERIMENT SET UP. Step 1: Fill a bowl full of ice! Here's the solid-frozen water. Bowl of Ice. Step 2: Let the ice melt! Here's the liquid - water. Melting Ice. Ok, so this could be the long part of the water science experiment unless you A) add warm water to the bowl or B) bring out a bowl of water to use and pretend you let the ice melt.
The following gas science experiment tells you how you can create bubbles of gas in a liquid all by yourself. Things you will need: A teaspoon. Some baking powder. A glass. Water. Directions: Take half a teaspoon of baking powder. Put the baking powder into a glass of water.
Categories: Teaching Science Units. Thematic Collections. Teacher Resources. Activities. Nine free, hands-on STEM activities to learn about states of matter, including homemade thermometer and barometer, melting ice caps experiment, fog catcher, Oobleck, and more.
1. Mix the half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla extract together in a pitcher. 2. Pour about a cup of the mixture in each student's sandwich bag. 3. Fill a gallon size Ziploc bag about half full of ice. Add 1/3 cup of salt. 4. Place 2 sealed, sandwich bags with the mixture in each large bag.
Solids, liquids and gas, often called states of matter, appear in most second grade science curricula. Go beyond showing your students pictures of these states of matter and lecturing them about the differences, and incorporate a variety of entertaining and participatory activities into your science class.
Gas: The ice cream and root beer mix and create bubbles. Those bubbles are trapped gas. Matter changes states; a liquid can become solid when it freezes, a solid becomes liquid when it melts, etc. and all these changes can happen in a root beer float. This is what makes the root beer floats science experiment the perfect one for teaching matter.
Drop a Mento in soda and watch it erupt. Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium. Here is another 2nd grade science experiment that will make your students explode with excitement. Drop a Mento candy in different types of soda, and see which one causes the tallest geyser.
Disappearing Egg Activity. Ice Melting Science. Dry Ice Experiment. Orange Soda Science Experiment. Lava Lamp Science. Salt and Ice Activity. Homemade Water Fountain. Dancing Raisins. Oil and Water Science Experiment.
Kids will love learning about the different states of matter with these free printable States of Matter Worksheets.. Their are pages for students to learn about solids, liquids, and gases while filling out these no-prep states of matter printables.These solid liquid gas worksheet pages are handy for kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th graders too.
In second grade, students learn that matter has observable, physical properties. This 2 nd grade science experiment reinforces this concept by allowing students use their senses to observe, describe, and taste properties of matter. Students look at, feel, and taste different types of crackers in order to describe their properties.
There are 6 vocabulary words that I like to discuss with my class. They are; matter, classify, describe, solid, liquid, and gas. I love showing my students real-life pictures to help them conceptualize the definition. Showing real-life photos is also a great way for your ELL to understand any new vocabulary words.
This is a Science unit I created using the 2nd Grade Next Generation Science Standards for the proprties of matter. Included are several activities and experiments to cover all 4 PSI standards. 2-PSI-1: The students will sort pictures of matter into categories, discuss solids, liquids and gases and come up with their own examples of each.
Why Makes The Three States Of Matter Different? The way their particles or molecules are placed. The molcules of solids are placed very close together and cannot move. The molecules of liquid are more free and move around. The molecules of gas are completly free and move around very fast away from other molecules.
Make learning about states of matter fun and interactive with these engaging activities for 2nd grade students. Explore hands-on experiments and games to help students understand the concepts of solids, liquids, and gases.
These properties of matter science experiments are hands-on, fun and easy to do in the classroom. For more second grade science activities visit these posts: Properties of Matter Activities for Second Grade . 18 Awesome States of Matter Books for Kids. Landforms & Earth Changes Activities. Activities to Teach the Engineering Design Process ...
written by 19 December 2023. Kids love science, especially when it involves hands-on experiments. These 2nd grade science projects, experiments, and activities are guaranteed to bring excitement and enthusiastic vibes into your classroom. Your students will learn basic concepts about physics, chemistry, biology, and more while having a blast!
The price of natural gas reached record highs, and as a result so did electricity in some markets. Oil prices hit their highest level since 2008. Higher energy prices have contributed to painfully high inflation, pushed families into poverty, forced some factories to curtail output or even shut down, and slowed economic growth to the point that ...