You can model a science-themed game after the popular TV game show "Jeopardy!" in which the players are presented with the answers and then respond with the correct questions. The format of the game is flexible enough that it allows the teacher some leeway in how she presents the game. You can present broad categories, such as "Astronomy," "Earth Science" and "Chemistry." However, if you are studying a particular discipline such as astronomy, you can gear the categories to the subject, such as "The Sun," "Mars" and "Black Holes." Instead of dollar amounts, use a point system. There are online resources to help you create a "Jeopardy!" game for the classroom. This game is best suited for students who are 8 and 9.
Use a form of bingo to review and prepare for upcoming science tests. Instead of numbers, use terms from the subject you are studying. Give the students the definition of the term. For example, you could ask, "What is a meat eater called?" and the students would have to locate "carnivore" on their cards. There are free online resources to help you create the cards. Just enter the 25 answers and the program will create the first card and then shuffle the answers for as many cards as you need. Students can use pennies or scraps of paper to mark their answers. This game is appropriate for any age group.
Bluff works well for science, as well as other subjects. Divide the class into two groups. Ask group A a question. All the students who believe they know the answer stand up. Students in group B then choose who they want to answer the question. If the question is answered correctly, group A receives as many points as the number of students who stood up; if not, then any student in group B can attempt an answer and get those points. For strategy, students can bluff the other team into thinking they know the answer by standing to increase the number of points at stake. Alternate between teams that get the first crack at the question. This game works well with younger children, as well as middle-school students.
In the game of Pictionary, players must guess a word or phrase based on drawings created by a teammate. You can alter the game to give it a science theme. Create cards with terms from the chapter or topic you're studying. Divide the class into any number of teams you wish. One player selects a card and then creates a drawing to depict the term, and her teammates shout out the answers until they get it correct or time runs out. For example, if the term is "DNA," she can draw an interlocking DNA strand. Use the blackboard or a large paper mounted on an easel so everyone can watch. The team will receive an allotted amount of time to guess the answer and receive a point if it does. The team with the highest number of points wins the game. This game works best for 8- and 9-year-olds.