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I always enjoy doing this experiment with the children as it generates great excitement!
The film canister and Alka-Seltzer experiment is a perfect way to ignite a love for science in the primary classroom and I often do it in my own Science Club. It’s engaging, uses everyday materials, and demonstrates a fundamental chemical reaction – all with a satisfying “whoosh!” and a big “pop!”
Preparation:
Gather film canisters, Alka-Seltzer tablets, safety glasses (one per student), shallow trays (like cafeteria trays), and water.
Ensure a clear, safe launch area away from furniture and walls.
Launching the Fun:Safety First: Begin by emphasising the importance of safety glasses or completing the experiment outside.
Fill Up: Have students add a small amount of water (think a few tablespoons) to their film canisters.
Fizz, Boom, Blast Off!: Distribute Alka-Seltzer tablets (broken into halves or quarters). Instruct students to drop a piece into the water, quickly snap on the lid, and place the canister upside down in the tray.
The Grand Finale: Step back and observe! The Alka-Seltzer reacts with the water, releasing carbon dioxide gas. This builds pressure, launching the canister with a pop!
Prediction Time: Before launch, have students predict which canister will travel farthest (based on water amount, Alka-Seltzer size, etc.). This encourages critical thinking.
Variable Exploration: Repeat the experiment with different water amounts or Alka-Seltzer piece sizes. Students can record their observations and discuss how these variables affect the outcome.This experiment allows students to witness a chemical reaction firsthand. They’ll see how the Alka-Seltzer and water combine to create gas, understanding the concept of pressure building up and propelling the canister. It’s a fun and memorable introduction to scientific concepts!
This one is suitable for all age groups, requires little resources but there is great science learning potential behind it!
The ESA Kids website can be a fun and engaging resource to ignite your students’ curiosity about space in the classroom for multiple ages! Here’s how I might use some of the resources available effectively in my own classroom setting:
1. Capture their imagination: Take them on a virtual tour of space with ESA Kids’ and explore the planets, peek inside rockets, and witness the wonders of the universe together.
2. Spark learning: Browse the website’s space news section for age-appropriate articles. They can be a great springboard for discussions on astronomy, physics, and even history of space exploration.
3. Get hands-on: The website offers downloadable resources like various downloadable activities and worksheets. These can be used for individual or group projects, letting your students explore concepts like phases of the moon or building a model rocket.
4. Differentiate learning: The ESA Kids website is available in multiple languages. This allows students with different cultural backgrounds or language skills to participate and learn at their own pace.
5. Bridge to the curriculum: Many of the activities on ESA Kids can be linked to core science topics like gravity, our solar system, or the importance of the sun. This reinforces classroom learning and makes space exploration relevant to their studies.
By incorporating ESA Kids into your lessons, you can transform your classroom into a launching pad for a lifelong love of space exploration!
I am choosing Aliens!
Stimulus: Aliens love Underpants! A lovely story that is comical for children
I also would look at the Cantina scene from Star Wars which has an abundance of different alien species.
We would brainstorm what aliens might look like. Draw pictures or use playdough to create your own fantastical alien species! Next, we’ll travel to the library and explore books about space. Look for pictures of planets and imagine if any could support life. We can even write letters to friendly aliens, asking questions about their homes and families.
Scientists use powerful telescopes to search for planets outside our solar system. Maybe we can build our own “alien detectors” from cardboard boxes and flashlights! Remember, scientists haven’t found aliens yet, but they’re always looking! We can learn about the tools they use, like telescopes and rovers, and imagine what future discoveries might hold. By asking questions, exploring stories, and using our imaginations, we’ll be on our way to becoming experts on the search for life beyond Earth!
Children love Kahoot quizzes and they would definitely be a fan incorporating that element here also.
I am choosing the Planets activity set!
I love the idea of role-playing what conversation a penguin might have with a polar bear and the difference between where they live.
Show colourful pictures of the planets and discuss their vibrant colours and sizes.
Next, we will transform our classroom into a mini solar system. Using yarn or string to suspend balls or playdough planets from the ceiling, keeping them roughly spaced based on their distance from the sun (a big yellow beach ball!). Let the children decorate their planets with markers or glitter, personalizing their learning.
Create a fun song, chant, or mnemonic together to learn the order of the planets, starting closest to the sun: “Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, that’s how our solar system starts!”
Through stories and pictures, explore the unique features of each planet. Is one hot and fiery? Does another have giant rings? Encourage the children to draw pictures or write stories about their favourite planet.
By using hands-on activities, captivating visuals, and engaging songs, you’ll transform your classroom into a launching pad for a love of space exploration
I also really enjoyed this activity. It could be a great one to really illustrate the sun’s movement.
I love the idea of discussing where an alien might live based on their characteristics and features and experimenting with this – will be trying this in the next year
Hi, my name is Dean and I teach junior infants.
My favourite space fact is that you can fit a million earths inside the sun.
My inquiry based task is the absorption science experiment:
Spills Happen!
What you’ll need:
Shallow tray or baking sheet
Water
Dropper or spoon
Paper towels
Paper sheets
Sponges
Fabric scraps (like old towels or cloths)
Markers (optional)Plan: Talk about spills! Where do you see spills happen? (kitchen, bathroom) What kind of things can spill? (water, juice)
Predict: Ask the children, “What do you think would be the best material to soak up a spill?” Let them guess and explain their ideas.
Test: Pour a small amount of water onto the tray. Now, it’s time to put those predictions to the test! Touch each material (paper towel, sponge, etc.) to the water.
Observe: See which material absorbs the most water. Does the water spread or form a bead? You can use markers to color the water and see how it spreads in each material (optional).
Record: Help the children draw pictures or write down what they observed.
Discuss: After testing all the materials, talk about the results. Which material absorbed the most water? Why do some materials work better than others?
Let’s go further!
Try different types of paper towels or fabrics.
See if thickness affects how much water is absorbed by using multiple layers of the same material.
Time how long it takes for each material to absorb the water.
