Science is all around you.
Making observations and learning about the world around you is a fun way to enhance science learning in the summer. The following activities range in difficulty and many are open-ended so they can be made easier or more difficult to suit a variety of levels and ages. The goal is for students to have fun while discovering and making sense of their world.
Earth/Space Science
What time does the sun rise and set each week during the summer? What patterns do you notice?
How does the moon seem to change during a month? What patterns do you notice?
Observe the night sky. To find out more about the night sky, click here.
Be a weather watcher! Observe the weather each day. Watch local weather forecasts or The Weather Channel. Make a chart of high/low temperatures, types of clouds, and weather conditions. Click here for student-friendly information on weather.
Go on a walk with an adult in Canton or if you are away on vacation. What types of landforms do you see? (hills? ponds? mountains? rivers? streams?) What do you notice about the rocks or water sources you see? Look for areas of erosion due to water run-off or wind. (near a gutter spout, sidewalk/driveway, stream, construction, sand dunes, beach, mountain, etc.)
Physical Science
Observe ice cubes on a hot day. Make observations of ice cubes melting in the sun vs. shade, on metal vs on plastic, on the driveway vs on grass, etc.
Predict how long it will take for a small cup of water to freeze in the freezer. Predict how long it will take a small cup of water to evaporate outside. Observe!
Test different materials for their observable properties. Which ones sink/float? rough/smooth? hard/soft? absorbency? Be creative (and careful!) with your materials! (examples: rocks, marshmallows, sand paper, tissues, Legos, paper or plastic baggies)
Help your family make dinner. Which items did you cut? mix together? heat up? cool down? Which items changed completely (non-reversible) vs which changes could be reversed?
Play with sound and light. (flashlight tag, shadows, instruments, Morse code)
Go to a playground. Observe how each piece of equipment works. (pushes? pulls? gravity?)
Life Science
What types of animals do you see in your yard/neighborhood? Keep track on a list or tally chart.
Look for changes in flowers and plants in your yard/neighborhood. How do they change throughout the summer? (size? shape? flowers? color?)
Plant a seed and/or take care of a plant during the summer. What does it need? Keep a plant journal.
Observe animals in your yard/neighborhood. Draw and label the structures and behaviors that help them survive in their environment.
Read about some of your favorite animals from other habitats. Draw and label the structures and behaviors that help them survive in their environment.
Technology/Engineering
Design and build a simple bird feeder using household supplies. What type of redesign would make it better? (What types of animals visit each day? Connection to life science!)
Fix a toy that is broken.
Plan a new design for a piece playground equipment. (ie: a new type of swing or slide) Think about the following: safety, accessibility for all ages and abilities, size, materials, etc. Make a design and a small prototype using household materials. As someone for feedback and use their feedback in your redesign.
Plan and create a new tool that will help you with a summer chore or activity. (ie: watering the grass, picking up toys in the yard, keeping your hands clean while eating a melting ice cream cone, picking out watermelon seeds, staying cool in the heat, keeping your lemonade cool)