Ahead of the grade- and curriculum specific lessons coming up in August, let me introduce you here to four outdoor science lessons that suit mid- to upper elementary age levels and school grounds that do not (yet) have a naturalized area to explore.
These resource was created by a fellow at the University of Iowa named Emily Ruba. Her aim is to introduce children to the scientific method. She created, trialed and provided STEM activities for parents to do with their children at home, but they are certainly suited for children at school as well.
"These activities encourage your child to use experimentation in order to make scientific discoveries. By conducting experiments, your child will be able to explore the scientific method used in making a hypothesis, setting up a fair experiment, collecting data, and making conclusions about the observed results.
The goal of this booklet is to increase exposure of your child to STEM fields. Students learn better when engaged in hands-on problem-solving activities, like experimentation. By introducing kids to science earlier, they are better prepared to tackle science courses at the middle school, high school, or college level. Even in those who do not go on to a career in STEM, exposure at an early age can promote a life-long enthusiasm for the sciences."
In the activity Lemonade Stand, students practice making weaker and stronger solutions and collecting data to compare samples, both biology and chemistry skills. It can be done indoors, but if it's done outdoors, there's less mess!
Ink Pen Chromatography is a forensic science activity. In it, students use fair methods to test and compare samples. They demonstrate that different types of ink can be separated in characteristic ways. And they come to understand that ink is made up of molecules which can be pulled along as water moves through paper.
Balloon Lung Capacity is an exercise science activity, and Properties of Acids and Bases is another chemistry activity. Each of these not only can be done outside; they are better suited for the outdoors.
All the resources for these activities can be found here.
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