Less than $5 Basic Principles Laboratory

FOUR "mini" labs -or shortened activities- to reinforce or introduce concepts to students. I call these activities “mini labs” because they are simple activities that do not take the whole class period. They are also activities that are safe for use in the classroom and do not have to be done in a lab or with any specialty equipment or materials. I often use these demonstrations to lead into new content, that way as we cover material I can refer back to the things that my students have experienced first hand.

This particular lab focuses on introducing the following concepts:

Matter Takes Up Space

Two Substances Form a Mixture

Density and Volume

Change of State

(Indirectly the Properties of Matter)

Includes: teacher information, materials list, procedures, helpful tips for facilitating the activities and student handouts/lab sheets

Materials needed for these Mini Labs:

Balloons, Cups, Water, Sugar, Clay, Small Bowls, Paper Towels, Stopwatch, Chocolate Coated Candies

This scientific method can be used for any grade! It helps students work through a note taking process and practice putting the scientific method in order for the steps and through examples. Students can also create their own experiment to practice putting the steps in order!

This is great for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners! After this, students can create and practice these steps through an experiment!

What's included:

• Guided Notes
• Vocabulary Words with visuals, definitions, and vocabulary
• Scientific Method Practice
• Scientific Method Review
• Experiment Creator Steps
• Answer Key

Use this hands-on scientific method activity during a matter unit, or as a fun science center. Perfect for some fun after break!

You will need:

- a clear jar (such as a mason jar)

- 2 cups of water

- 2 tablespoons baking soda

- 6 tablespoons white vinegar

- food coloring (optional)

The question and procedure is filled in on the recording sheet. Students will need to formulate and record their hypothesis, materials, observations, and conclusion. There are guiding questions to help students think about what happened during the experiment.

The reaction created by the mixture of the baking soda and vinegar causes CO2 to form, creating gas bubbles that make the corn "hop" around.

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I welcome and appreciate your comments! :)

Students will use a chair, a board and car with interchangeable wheels (like a LEGO or K-Nex car) to examine the affects of the inclined plane. Students will run experiments, collect data, and do mathematical calculations including mechanical advantage to complete the activity.

The Packet includes:

Materials List

Procedures Instructions

Data Collection Table

Debrief Sheet