There are many STEM projects that anyone can do but some can cost more than what is deemed affordable. NSTEM has found eight fun & inexpensive projects that elementary school students can do at home. Below we have listed easy STEM projects students can do at home with a parent.
1. Chemistry and Comics
Have you ever wondered about the types of ink used to make copies? This experiment has students testing out which liquid creates the best copy of certain objects similar to a copier!
This experiment only needs a few household items like:
- a newspaper
- paper cups
- liquid detergent.
2. Chromatography
Have you ever wondered what was in juice? Scientists use a process called chromatography, which allows them to see the different things that make up substances like juice. There are many different types of chromatography and all of them involve some kind of filter. This is a liquid chromatography experiment uses a filter to separate the items that makes up the liquid. Students will love this engaging experiment!
3. Condensation Station
Do your students wonder why their cup becomes wet after they took it out of the refrigerator only a few minutes ago? Why does their popsicle have water drops roll down its side? The answer? Condensation!
Condensation happens when water molecules in the air, moving around fast and in all directions, start to slow down. Then, the molecules form liquid water on the side of a cool surface like the cup or popsicle. The experiment has students captivated and wanting to determine the cause of condensation.
4. Evaporation Station
Before condensation, evaporation takes place in the water cycle. Which puddle would evaporate faster, one on a hot day or on a cold day? This experiment shows your students the answer and explains why this happens. Be sure to do this experiment with a parent or guardian!
5. Fate of Calcium Carbonate
Calcium is probably the most well-known vitamin that your students have heard of because it comes from milk. However, carbonate is something that they may have never heard about. Carbonate can be found in sodas! It’s what gives sodas that fizz and carbonation. These chemicals are the most common pairs that students will find as together they make Calcium Carbonate.
- Fun Fact: The chemical symbol for calcium is Ca, and the chemical symbol for carbonate is CO3. The chemical symbol for calcium carbonate is CACO3. Check out this experiment to see the different ways that calcium carbonate reacts to other chemicals!
Filiz Mehmed
6. A Close Look at Crystals
Everything is made up of molecules and atoms. There are some things that are similar, but different in their molecules and atoms, like crystals. There are different types of crystals, but they all are different due to their atoms and molecules. A perfect example of this is a diamond. The atoms and molecules in a crystal are repeated in a pattern, which gives them their shape. Learn about the difference between the crystals in this experiment.
7. Aware of the Air
There are three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. The difference between these states of matter is their atoms and molecules.
- The molecules in solids are packed together and not moving.
- The molecules in a liquid are a little more free, but they are still limited in their movement.
It’s hard to believe that gases have atoms and molecules, but it’s true! The atoms and molecules in gases are just moving so fast that it looks like it is nothing in air. Take a look at this experiment and see the molecules in the air!
8. Colors on the Move
Do you remember mixing different colors to see what would happen? This experiment is similar to that. In this experiment, you see what would happen when you mix food coloring with milk and soap. Check out this experiment to see how colors move and the way they interact with the different things that you mix.
Written by Lee Metoyer
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