Create a diorama using a shoe box and other various craft materials. For example, the solar system can be created by covering the shoe box with black construction paper and a few polystyrene foam balls in varying sizes. After coloring the polystyrene balls in their corresponding planet colors, hang them from the top of the shoe box with clear fishing wire. This results in a small-scale solar system display.
A shoe box can be used to create a finger-puppet theater stage. Using felt and cloth, create finger puppets that depict a science story. Then, create a mock stage using construction paper and art supplies. After writing an appropriate script, use the characters and puppet theater to tell a story about science.
Use a shoe box filled with a variety of textured items to develop touch skills. For example, gather sandpaper, a sponge, a cotton ball, a small rubber ball and a stone. Place these items in the shoe box, along with other items of varied texture and shape. With the lid over the box, have a student go around the classroom and ask classmates to identify the objects in the shoe box without seeing the items. By using only their sense of touch, the students will strengthen their skills of identifying shapes and textures.
From science fairs to school projects, shoe boxes can be used in third-grade science curriculum. Students can get creative with different projects and use common items found at home or at a local craft store to tell a science story. Shoe box science projects are not only fun to create, but they are easy and educational as well.