Outdoor Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Experiments for the Yard, Garden, Playground, and Park

by Liz Lee Heinecke

Overview

Inspire a lifelong passion for science and nature with these outdoor physics, chemistry, and biology experiments for kids!

In Outdoor Science Lab for Kids, scientist and mom Liz Heinecke presents 52 family-friendly labs designed to get kids outside in every season. From playground physics to backyard bugs, this book makes it fun and easy to dig into the natural sciences and learn more about the world around you.

Following clear, photo-illustrated step-by-step instructions, have fun learning about:

• The laws of physics by constructing and using a marshmallow catapult.
• Centripetal forces by swinging a sock filled with gelatin snack and marbles.
• Earthworms by using ground mustard seed dissolved in water to make them wriggle to the surface.
• Germination by sprouting a sapling from a pine cone or tree seed.
• Surface tension and capillary action by growing baking soda stalagmites and stalactites.
• And so much more!

Along with the experiments, you’ll find:

• Tips for keeping a science journal.
• Suggestions for taking your experimentation to the next level with “Creative Enrichment.”
• Accessible explanations of “The Science Behind the Fun.”
• Safety tips and hints.

The experiments can be used as part of a homeschool curriculum, for family fun, at parties, or as educational activities for groups. Many of the simple and inexpensive experiments are safe enough for toddlers, yet exciting enough for older kids, so families can discover the joy of science and STEM education together.

*Outdoor Science Lab for Kids was a 2017 Finalist for the AAAS/Subaru Prize for excellence in science books.*

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781631591150
Publisher:	Quarry Books
Publication date:	06/01/2016
Series:	Lab for Kids Series , #6
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	224,049
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

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, Sheet Pan Science, and Little Learning Labs: Kitchen Science for Kids. Her namesake series, The Kitchen Pantry Scientist, pairs illustrated biographies with engaging hands-on activities inspired by their work. The books in that series include: Chemistry for Kids, Biology for Kids, Physics for Kids, Math for Kids, and Ecology for Kids.

Table of Contents

Introduction 08

Unit 01 Captivating Creatures 13

Lab 1 Macroinvertebrate Marvels 14

Lab 2 Water Bear Hunt 16

Lab 3 Tadpole Transformation 18

Lab 4 Butterfly Garden 20

Unit 02 Driveway Physics 23

Lab 5 Produce-Bag Parachutes 24

Lab 6 Crazy Catapult 26

Lab 7 Cardboard-Box Projector 28

Lab 8 Sock Centrifuge 30

Lab 9 The Bernoulli Effect 32

Unit 03 Invertebrate Inspection 35

Lab 10 Bug House 36

Lab 11 Sweep Net Arthropod Inspection 38

Lab 12 Fishing for Flatworms 40

Lab 13 Earthworm Eruption 42

Unit 04 Picnic Table Chemistry 45

Lab 14 Foaming Slime 46

Lab 15 Giant Bubbles 48

Lab 15 Driveway Frescos 50

Lab 17 Lemonade Stand Lip Balm 52

Lab 18 Super Spheres 54

Unit 05 Bountiful Botany 57

Lab 19 Flowerbox Phototropism Bomb 58

Lab 20 Marvelous Moss 60

Lab 21 Petal Bomb 62

Lab 22 Aquatic Oxygen 64

Lab 23 Tiny Trees 66

Unit 06 Atmospheric and Solar Science 69

Lab 24 Solar Heat Beam 70

Lab 25 Sun Prints 72

Lab 26 Bike-Pump Cloud 74

Lab 27 Flipped Water Glass 76

Lab 28 Ultraviolet Wave Detector 78

Unit 07 Garden Hose Science 81

Lab 29 Siphon Roller Coaster 82

Lab 30 Kiddie Pool Boats 84

Lab 31 Wavy Science 86

Lab 32 Water Elevator 88

Unit 08 Playground Physics 91

Lab 33 Ramp Races 92

Lab 34 Swing Pendulum 94

Lab 35 Picnic Blanket Relativity 96

Unit 09 Glorious Gardening 99

Lab 36 Allelopathy Experiment 100

Lab 37 Comprehending Compost 102

Lab 38 Plant Race 104

Lab 39 Garden Guest Book 106

Unit 10 Excellent Ecology 109

Lab 40 Protected Pitfall Traps 110

Lab 41 Algae Aquarium 112

Lab 42 Capture-Mark-Recapture 114

Lab 43 Moonlit Nature Walk 116

Lab 44 Quadrat Sampling 118

Unit 11 Earth Science 121

Lab 45 Supercool Experiment 122

Lab 46 Crystal Caves 124

Lab 47 Soil Filtration 126

Unit 12 Frozen Fun 129

Lab 48 Ice Cream Keep Away 130

Lab 49 Mouthwatering Maple Candy 132

Lab 50 Snow Melt Experiment 134

Lab 51 Frozen Volcanoes 136

Lab 52 Cole-Air Balloons 138

Resources 141

Acknowledgments 142

About the Author 143

About the Photographer 143

Also Available 144