Make it rain inside with a simple and inexpensive science experiment. Place a large serving spoon in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Next, heat water in a tea kettle. Place a clear plastic cup or measuring cup near the kettle. When the water begins to boil and steam issues from the spout of the kettle, hold the spoon near the kettle and above the cup so that the steam hits the spoon. Show students how the steam creates water droplets on the cold spoon through condensation. Explain that condensation also forms rain. Ask students to predict how much "rain" will end up in the cup. After the activity, measure the water in the cup.
Set up a wildlife feeding station for animals outside your classroom. Bring different kinds of bird food to class, such as different types of seeds, nuts and corn. In addition, ask students to make bird treats by covering a pine cone in peanut butter and seeds. Make a list of the different types of foods you will be placing outside. Ask students to predict which type of food the birds will enjoy the most, and which food they will enjoy the least. In addition, ask students to make predictions about other animals, such as squirrels, which might eat the food. Place each type of bird food in a separate container; let students help you measure out the food to ensure that you are distributing the same amount of each type of food. Ask students to observe birds eating the food. At the end of the week, determine which food was most effective.
Use candy to teach students science skills of observation and measurement. Purchase several different varieties of small candies, or pull out last Halloween's candy from the storage closet. Include candies of different shapes and sizes, and set them all out on a table. Ask students to predict which candy is the largest, the smallest, the heaviest, the lightest and so on. After students have made their predictions, provide rulers and scales for students to measure and weigh the candy to determine if their predictions were correct. Ask students to sort the candies by size, weight or other attributes.
Show students how to make a gas using common kitchen ingredients. Fill an empty bottle one-third of the way full with white vinegar. Next, pour baking soda into the bottle using a funnel. Quickly close the bottle with a balloon in place of the cap, and encourage students to watch as the balloon inflates. Repeat the experiment in a clear glass bowl without the balloon, so that students can watch the chemical reaction occur. Give students their own bottles, balloons, vinegar and baking soda so that they can repeat the experiment. Ask students to consider why the chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar inflates the balloon.