Mold is a fungus that thrives in dark, humid places. You can display the growth of mold on a piece of bread. Rub dust on a piece of white bread. Mold or spores of mold can be found in several places such as the dust on the floor, in the air or on a dusty bookshelf. Mold feeds on grains, fruits, vegetables and even flesh. After you rub the bread onto the dust, add a spoonful of water to the area and place the slice into a plastic zipper bag. The water will allow the mold to grow faster. Place the plastic zipper bag into a brown paper bag and seal it so no light enters. Observe the slice each day to see the mold growth and document it. You can also add another piece of bread to the observation. Repeat the same process but leave the plastic zipper bag out of the brown bag. Take note of how the different conditions render different results.
This experiment allows the student to determine what types of items magnets attract. Gather items such as paper clips and different-shaped magnets. It is preferable to have plain magnets and not ones that are covered with plastic. Place the paper clips in a small pile and place a magnet on top in the center of the paper clip pile. Lift the magnet and move it away from the paper clips. Count how many clips stayed on the magnet. Repeat the experiment with a different magnet and the remainder of the paper clips. Draw a chart and document the results of each magnet.
This science project can help a student determine which types of food wrappers are the most effective for keeping food cold. Get together aluminum foil, plastic zipper bag, and plastic wrap. From the fridge, gather three water bottles that have been chilled for the same amount the time. Wrap each of the water bottles in a different food covering. Monitor the temperature of the water bottles in 20-minute intervals. Document the condensation and also the temperature of each bottle on a chart. After an hour has passed, determine which food wrapper kept the water chilled the best. Hypothesize why that particular food wrapper did so.
You can use two empty 2-liter soda bottles to demonstrate a tornado. Remove the labels from the bottle and both bottle caps. Place both bottle caps together with the flat sides touching. Have an adult drill a small hole through the middle of the caps. This hole is what will allow the water to funnel down the bottles. Take one of the soda bottles and fill it about three-quarters of the way with water. Add 2 tablespoons of glitter to the bottle and replace the cap. The glitter will make the whirling water more visible. This helps if you must demonstrate your project to a larger class. Now take the empty bottle and place the cap on. Line the flat side of the caps together again. The empty bottle should be upside down to avoid water spilling. Tape the caps in place with some duct tape. Flip the bottles so the bottle with the water is at the top and shake the bottles in a circular motion. Time the how long the water takes to drain in a funnel form and when it's not. Document your results. Even though the project uses water to demonstrate a tornado, ask yourself what cause the funnel to form.