Bugs can be creepy, crawly, slimy or even sticky. Since children often approach insects with fascination and fear, using bugs for a biology experiment hold their interest. One experiment, to illustrate the life cycle of insects, is to hatch baby bugs. Insect larvae are readily available through science supply stores and gardening centers. Using a clear glass or lidded mesh container, complete with air holes, place the larvae inside. The kids watch as the larvae transform over time until they grow and reveal a mature bug. Ideas for this experiment include placing "unknown" larvae in the container to see if kids can guess what will result, using magnifying glasses daily and writing in journals about changes to the insect.
Plants are a good basis for an assortment of experiments in biology. One experiment involves having kids wrap seeds in wet paper towels. After placing the wrapped seeds in plastic bags, the kids can watch over days and weeks how the seeds begin to sprout. This experiment can be extended by having kids plant the sprouted seeds in small containers and watch the plants grow and change. Journaling, drawing pictures related to observations and nature walks to discuss findings are all extra activities associated with this type of experiment.
Learning about mold is one way to teach the biology associated with fungus. An experiment involving the mold life cycle involves taking a slice of bread and a piece of fresh fruit. Place both items in separate containers, either covered or not, and allow the students to observe how the items change over time. Have the students note which item develops mold faster. You can even scrape a piece of mold off each item for observation under a microscope to help illustrate what the mold looks like under magnification.
Animals fascinate children, from cats and dogs to goldfish and rabbits. You can use animals as the basis for biology experiments both inside and out of the classroom. Keeping classroom pets helps children watch and observe how animals live and function. Good choices for classroom animals include hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, goldfish and frogs. In fact, you can use tadpoles to allow kids to watch as tiny tadpoles transform into frogs. A supplemental activity is to observe and discuss the actions observed by their own pets at home or take a field trip to a zoo or aquarium to watch other species in action.