Physical sciences include chemistry, physics, engineering, astronomy and geology. Studies of living organisms, such as biology or zoology, are not physical sciences. Simple activities create interest in scientific studies that may last a lifetime. Utilize existing interests to generate enthusiasm for activities.
Observing
Interact with objects in daily life and observe how they react to illustrate a variety of physical science laws. Demonstrate gravity by picking random objects and dropping them on the floor to see whether there is a difference in speed due to weight of the item. Include a helium-filled balloon if possible.
Discuss sound and how it is produced, then demonstrate on a variety of musical instruments. Choose different objects and put them in a tub of water to see whether they float to demonstrate buoyancy. Experiment with different substances to see which ones absorb solar energy and which ones reflect it. Discuss the uses in the real world of solar power.
Drop a maple seed to illustrate rotation and asymmetry. Observe the weather and research causes for current weather conditions. Play baseball or kickball to illustrate force and motion on a ball.
Experiments
Use a prism and sunlight to create a rainbow. Discuss the colors of different light waves and how that affects the color of the sky.
Melt an ice cube to illustrate the changing states of matter. Make bubbles to experiment with surface tension and cohesion. Rub two blankets together and pull them apart to illustrate static electricity.
Use magnets to determine what types of items are magnetic. Place iron fillings around the magnet to illustrate the magnetic field generated.
Building Models
Physical science experiments can involve building a variety of models and machines. Model airplanes illustrate aerodynamics. Change the design to determine what shape flies the highest or farthest.
Build a paper clip boat to illustrate surface tension on water. Create a water lens to study refraction and focus in light waves. Design and build a paper rocket to experiment with gliding, trajectory and gravity. Build a small water turbine to create energy from running water.
Build an electric circuit to learn about electricity. Discuss different energy sources and what they can be used for before building a machine that uses renewable energy sources. A balloon car or solar oven are examples of machines that use renewable energy.
Tips
Provide age-appropriate resources. Supervise any experiments that may require power tools or hot-glue guns. Encourage imagination when designing and building experiments. Encourage observation of the world and asking questions about what is happening.
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