Give plenty of consideration to the placement of the science center within the preschool classroom. Ideally, the center should be near a window so children can observe the changes in weather, wildlife and outdoor plant life. When the science center is near a window, children can plant seeds in cups of dirt to set on the windowsill. Observe and make a chart, graphing the growth over a period of time. If the classroom has a door that opens to the outside, locate the science center close to it. Experiments can be set outdoors to introduce sun, rain and outside temperatures to the activities.
Place a table or two in your science center. Tables should be low enough that preschoolers can comfortably stand or sit to work. Place child-size chairs or benches at the tables. Beneath each table, slide baskets or boxes to serve as storage for equipment. Ideas for tabletop equipment are limited by classroom budgets and the rules of each school. Buy or ask for the donation of a microscope. Some schools do not allow animals or fish tanks in classrooms. If they are permissible, cages and tanks containing classroom animals such as gerbils, mice and fish should occupy a spot on the sturdiest table.
Finding supplies for stocking the center is as simple as scrounging in your backyard and as easy as ordering things from the pages of a teacher supply catalog. Place magnifying glasses and magnets in the center so preschoolers can use the tools to explore the environment. Stock baskets with assorted rocks and shells. Place picture books about nature near the baskets. Keep a pencil holder stocked with colored pencils and place paper near the pencils so children can record observations made in the science center.
Make a weather chart. Hang a poster-size sheet of card stock on a wall in the science center. Record the weather on the poster daily. Choose volunteers to draw a sun, cloud or snowflake each day so the class can track patterns in the weather.
Designate a class member each week to take responsibility to water plants or care for classroom animals or fish. Provide a checklist of tasks for the helper to complete each day.
Place ice in a lidded jar. Set it in the center. Let the children estimate how long the ice will take to melt. Record the estimates on a chart. When the ice has melted, compare the estimates to the actual melting time.