There are plenty of pumpkins available in the fall and they can be very useful in helping children learn science. Cut open a pumpkin and take out some of the seeds. Plant them in a cup of soil. Throughout the season, have the children water and take care of the plant. Explain to them how the water helps the plant grow and that each pumpkin starts from a seed. Cut the remaining pumpkin into three pieces and let one sit outside, one inside and another in the freezer. This teaches them about decay and temperature's effect on it.
Fall is a season of many drastic changes. Green leaves turn brown and red. The weather starts out pleasant but slowly dips colder and colder. This is an excellent opportunity to teach the children about the concept of change. Have the children write down the daily temperature, different colors of the leaves and even the type of coat or jacket they wore. This will give them a concrete example of change.
Corn is another popular food that is available during the fall, and it is present in many fall decorations. Experiment with growth by letting children see how corn grows in soil, similar to the pumpkin experiment. They can learn about texture by bringing in fresh corn from the stalk. Let them touch the rough and brittle stalk, the soft silk and the rough kernels.
Dead leaves are in no short supply during the fall, and they are excellent for teaching children about how plants work. Bring in several dead leaves along with wax paper. Create a piece of scientific art by having the children trace over a leaf using a pencil and wax paper. Tell them how the veins carry water and other nutrients throughout the leaf.