Science in a Bag - Any ideas?

[kk8273]

My son is in 5th grade has this for homework:

Your assignment is to find an item that represents Science and put it in a small plastic baggie.
Then he needs to describe the time on an index card.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[kevschickee]

You could get a shell from the beach if you are near one, you could go on a nature hike and find some kind of rock or even a snake skin, you could get a sponge wet it and put grass seeds on it then put it in a ziplock bag and let it stand in the sun for a week then grass will grow. Wow that is the longest run on sentence ever lol

 

[wishtdream]

When I was in school many years ago I spread jelly on 1/2 of a slice of white bread and left the other side plain and put it in a baggie under my bed for a week. It was supposed to represent pennicyllin. I got an A.

 

[dizneechic]

You could put some baking soda in a bag and list out some of the uses for it.

My ds did a 5 week camp in which one of his courses was mad science. They did a different experiment every day and about 75% of them involved either baking soda or vinegar. If you do a google search you'll find many lists detailing it's usefulness.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My 4th grader would likely put in some part of her nature collection (pile of sticks and rocks on the side of our house) or the deceased butterfly we have or the snake skin sitting on our pool deck that the little snake we found yesterday left behind. She is very sciency.

Another idea is to have your son go through his science textbook for inspiration and see what he can come up with on his own.

Science can even be a cupcake if he understands how that cupcake went from liquid batter to scrumptious solid yumminess.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

How about a battery or a light bulb?

 

[kk8273]

These are all wonderul ideas!! Thank you so much! I know I could count on the DIS for help.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I think just about anything would work as long as he could explain it.

Something "natural"- how it grew, was formed, etc. (sort of where would you find it in a science book and why)
Something manmade- either how science was used in its manufacture (such as plastics or artificial diamonds), the scientific principle behind it (magnets, for example) or how we use it to measure science (a thermometer, etc)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Also, if you have science channel or Discovery....

Shows like Mythbusters, How It's Made, Time Warp and the like--might be useful for him this weekend for other ideas.

My kids love these shows.

 

[Aliceacc]

Don't help him!!

Just about ANYTHING could represent science. This isn't a math problem that he can't figure out, it's asking him to use his imagination and apply science to real life.

So let him present his view. He's 11 years old, he knows what science is. Tell him you're not in 5th grade, he is. Give him a baggie and a hug, and tell him to go do his homework.

 

[Octoberbabiesrus]

I remember doing that. It was awesome.

 

[vettechick99]

Don't help him!!

Just about ANYTHING could represent science. This isn't a math problem that he can't figure out, it's asking him to use his imagination and apply science to real life.

So let him present his view. He's 11 years old, he knows what science is. Tell him you're not in 5th grade, he is. Give him a baggie and a hug, and tell him to go do his homework.

I was going to post this. I'm a teacher and it drives me crazy when my students come in with perfect homework. I can't assess how they are doing, or figure out what they need help on when mom is helping.

No offense intended, but let him have a fun time figuring it out.

 

[kk8273]

He is finished. He looked in his science book and did it himself. I don't do his homework for him, he was just looking for some suggestions. Thanks everyone for all of your help!