Conduct physics, chemistry, and biology experiments with tools and ingredients found in any kitchen! These 52 labs created by mom and scientist Liz Lee Heinecke introduce fundamental scientific principles in a fun and accessible format.
Have fun:
- exploring physics: marshmallow slingshots serve as a lesson on the transformation of energy and an egg-throwing experiment demonstrates the law of motion.
- learning about microbiology by growing your own microbe zoo on a homemade petri plate.
- learning about rocket science by making and launching bottle rockets, using water and a bike pump.
Other great projects explore the exciting science of
crystals,
static electricity,
acidification, and
solar energy. The experiments can be used as individual projects, for parties, or as educational
activities for groups. It's the
perfect resource for Girl Scout Brownies looking to earn their Home Scientist badges! Many of the experiments are
safe enough for children as young as toddlers and
exciting enough for older kids, so families can discover the joy of science together.
The popular
Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that
share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a
complete materials list, clear
step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as
finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
Liz Lee Heinecke has loved science since she was old enough to inspect her first butterfly. After working in molecular biology research for 10 years and earning her master’s degree, she left the lab to kick off a new chapter in her life as a stay-at-home mom. Soon, she found herself sharing her love of science with her three kids as they grew, chronicling their science adventures on her KitchenPantryScientist website. Her desire to share her enthusiasm for science led to regular television appearances, an opportunity to serve as an Earth Ambassador for NASA, and the creation of an iPhone app. Her goal is to make it simple for parents to do science with kids of all ages, and for kids to experiment safely on their own. Liz graduated from Luther College and received her master’s degree in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is the author of Kitchen Science Lab for Kids, Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: Edible Edition, Outdoor Science Lab for Kids, STEAM Lab for Kids, Little Learning Labs: Kitchen Science for Kids, and The Kitchen Pantry Scientist: Chemistry for Kids.
Introduction
Unit 1 Carbonated Chemical Reactions
Lab 1: Color-Changing Magic Potion
Lab 2: Paper Bag Volcano
Lab 3: Fizzy Balloons
Lab 4: Frankenworms
Lab 5: Soda Geyser
Unit 2 Crystal Creations
Lab 6: Alum Crystal Geodes
Lab 7: Rock Candy
Lab 8: Climbing Salt Crystals
Unit 3 Physics in Motion
Lab 9: Marshmallow Slingshots
Lab 10: Tablecloth Trick
Lab 11: Egg-Throwing Experiment
Lab 12: Egg in a Bottle
Unit 4 Life Science
Lab 13: Alien Monster Eggs
Lab 14: Standing on Eggs
Lab 15: DNA Extraction
Lab 16: Forensic Fingerprints
Unit 5 Astonishing Liquids
Lab 17: Tie-Dye Milk
Lab18: Zooming Fish
Lab 19: Marker Chromatography
Lab 20: Rainbow in a Cup
Lab 21: Fireproof Balloon
Lab 22: Ice Cube on a String
Unit 6 Polymers, Colloids, and Misbehaving Materials
Lab 23: Magic Bag
Lab 24: Mad Scientist’s Green Slime
Lab 25: Milk Plastic and Milk Glue
Lab 26: Gelatinous Diffusion
Lab 27: Cornstarch Goo
Lab 28: The Kaye Effect
Unit 7 Acids, Bases, and Pigments
Lab 29: Red Cabbage Litmus Paper
Lab 30: Ocean Acidification Experiment
Lab 31: Spy Juice
Unit 8 Marvelous Microbiology
Lab 32: Homemade Petri Plates and Microbe Zoo
Lab 33: Yeast Garden
Lab 34: Hand-Washing Experiment
Unit 9 Shocking Science
Lab 35: Dancing Foil Electroscope
Lab 36: Build an Electrophorus and Leyden Jar
Lab 37: Water Bender
Unit 10 Bodacious Botany
Lab 38: Window Sprouts
Lab 39: Collecting Water from Trees
Lab 40: Leaf and Veggie Chromatography
Lab 41: Nature Walk Bracelets
Lab 42: Vegetable Vampires
Unit 11 Sunny Science
Lab 43: Sunset Experiment
Lab 44: Solar Still Survival Science
Lab 45: Pizza Box Solar Oven
Lab 46: Greenhouse Effect Lab
Lab 47: Dew Point Experiment
Lab 48: Shoebox Solar Viewer
Unit 12 Rocket Science
Lab 49: Film Canister Rockets
Lab 50: Easy Straw Rockets
Lab 51: Sky-High Bottle Rockets
Lab 52: Edible Electromagnetic Wave Experiment
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