OT 2nd Grade science project suggestions

[cancer_survivor_06]

Okay so this is the first time we are doing a science project and I have not much of a clue where to start. I do now where not to start b/c the letter sent home has noted in capital bold letters NO FOOD, LIQUIDS, PLANTS, SOIL, OR GLASS ARE ALLOWED. ALSO TABLES ARE NOT NEEDED NOR ALLOWED.

The project is due 1/26 so I don't have much time to do this and is not mandatory but dd would like to participate so we are going to give it a try. The categorys include physics, engineering, zoology, medicine, health, botany, microbiology, scientific collection, scientific models, behavioral and social sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, math, computers, and earth and space. I was considering doing a project w/ her about stem cell transplants b/c I do have a few articles about it as well as the fact that I had one myself but I am not sure this would be appropriate for an 8yr old and I haven't had a chance to talk to the teacher yet.

Any input and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[lntsmom]

They have some fairly straight-forward experiments that you could use. (Example: How does the surface on which a car goes affect how fast it goes?) Remember that you can always use photos or videos of your experiment if there are "banned" items that are a part of it.

Best of luck...my second grader wants to do the school science fair, too. The program kicks off next week and the actual fair is late in spring.

This will sound terrible, but after years of mandatory science fairs with my students, I really have no interst in doing one with my own kid! He's lucky he's cute, lol, what can I say?

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

the letter sent home has noted in capital bold letters NO FOOD, LIQUIDS, PLANTS, SOIL, OR GLASS ARE ALLOWED. ALSO TABLES ARE NOT NEEDED NOR ALLOWED.

Those are crazy directions. I mean, for pete's sake, what the heck is left??

I would do a full experiment at home. Photograph it, and make a big poster documenting all the stages of the experiment. Then she can just point and explain.

My daughter is in first grade and we did a simple experiment to explore the concept of 'density'.

Take an unopened can of diet coke/pepsi and an unopened can of regular coke/pepsi.

Put both cans in a fish tank or clear bucket (we used two clear pitchers of water with a can in each pitcher.)

Which can sinks? (The Coke will sink, the Diet Coke will float)
This is because the Coke has about 40 grams of sugar added to the can, which increases the density of the soda and makes the can of soda heavier. It sinks.

Put 40 grams of sugar in a baggie, seal it, and tape it to the poster to show how much sugar is in one can of Coke. Or photograph your daughter holding 40 grams of sugar, if no food is permitted at school.

The experiment demonstrates density of liquid and that dissolving sugar in a drink doesn't make the sugar disappear. It's still there and you can prove it by sinking a can of Coke.

here is a great description of the simple experiment: Click Here http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000051

 

[tchrrx]

Stupid question here, but how can botany be a category if you can't use plants or soil?

I like the PP's idea about just photographing everything. Are the rules stating that they can't bring those items to school or that they cannot be part of the experiment?

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I can bring photos of the process the only thing about that part is its due in two weeks and this is the only weekend we really have to devote all of our time to it due to extra cirricular activities. I will be sitting down w/ her in just a minute before bed and discussing what she would like to do and I am thinking it will be somehting space related. Thanks for the website I will check that out as well. My guess on the restrictions is b/c it is for grades k-5. I figure I might as well give it a shot now b/c I think next year it will be mandatory.