The ramp experiment is an easy activity than can introduce students to the basics of physics and geometry. Begin by leaning a plywood board against a large block and having students roll a number of balls of different sizes and weights down the ramp. Suggest experimentation by asking your students questions about different scientific factors. For example, ask them what would happen if the height of the ramp changed, if larger balls go faster than smaller balls, or what would happen if two balls began rolling from the top of the ramp at the same time. Have your students collect data on the distance traveled by different balls using different ramp elevations and angles.
The Houghton Mifflin website recommends this classic activity for introducing students to basic addition and subtraction equations. The egg-drop experiment asks your students to devise a container that keeps the egg from being broken when dropped from heights of 10 to 30 feet. Suggest materials such as foam, cardboard, aluminum cans, tape, bubble-wrap and other containers, and have your students break into groups to construct different egg capsules. Label each capsule to its appropriate group and drop each egg from the roof of a one- to three-story building. Have your students compare the data, depending on the thickness of each capsule versus the dropping height. Data from this experiment can introduce a number of math concepts, for instance, if a 1-inch-thick foam capsule protects the egg at 10 feet but not at 20 feet. Have your students compare data to determine which material provides the most protection to the egg.
This science activity offers a hands-on approach to understanding the volumes of different shapes. Begin your class by going over the formula for determining the volume of a rectangular prism: base or length multiplied by width or height. Select different rectangular prism containers such as tins, Tupperware containers and other water-resistant packages and fill each one with water. Have your students measure the width and height of each container and multiply them together to determine the cubic centimeters of the container. Next, carefully pour out the water from each container into a labeled measuring cup to illustrate that cubic centimeters are equal in size to milliliter since both measurements are a thousandth of a meter.
Always have your kids wear goggles and gloves when working with wood, liquids or sharp metals. When performing the egg-drop experiment, do not allow children on the roof or elevated platform to prevent injury.