I am always excited about sharing my passion for science with young minds. Science is fascinating and offers endless possibilities for exploration and experimentation and it is important for teachers and similar professionals to hone in on these skills by getting students engaged with science. However, I appreciate it can be challenging to come up with science experiments that are both engaging and educational for high school kids. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of some of the best science experiments that are not only fun, but also educational. So, let’s get started!
1. Making a Volcano
Making a volcano is a classic science experiment that never gets old. It’s simple, yet entertaining, and it teaches students about chemical reactions. All you need is baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and a container. Mix the baking soda with the food coloring in the container, and then add vinegar. The mixture will fizz and bubble, creating a mini volcano!
2. DNA Extraction
DNA extraction is another excellent experiment for high school kids. This experiment is particularly engaging for students who are interested in biology and genetics. In this experiment, students will be using simple household items to extract DNA from fruits or vegetables. This experiment will help students to understand the structure and function of DNA and how it is used in genetic research.
3. Conducting an Egg Drop Experiment
An egg drop experiment is a fun and interactive way to teach students about the laws of physics. All you need is an egg, some materials to build a protective container (such as a paper towel roll, cotton balls, and duct tape), and a tall structure to drop the container from. The goal is to create a container that will protect the egg from cracking when dropped from a high height.
4. Making Oobleck
Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid that is both a solid and a liquid. It’s a fascinating substance that can teach students about the properties of matter. All you need is cornstarch, water, and food coloring. Mix the cornstarch and water together until you get a gooey substance. Add food coloring for extra fun! When you squeeze the oobleck, it becomes solid, and when you release it, it becomes liquid again.
5. Exploring Density with Layered Liquids
Layered liquids is a great experiment to teach students about density. All you need is different liquids with different densities (such as honey, corn syrup, water, and oil), and a container. Fill the container with each liquid, one at a time, and watch as they layer on top of each other. This experiment is not only educational, but it’s also visually stunning.
6. Electrolysis
Electrolysis is a fascinating experiment that helps students to understand the concept of electricity and chemical reactions. In this experiment, students will be using a battery and a few simple materials to split water into its constituent elements of hydrogen and oxygen. This experiment is a great way for students to understand the basics of chemistry and the role of electricity in chemical reactions.
7. Creating a Solar Oven
Creating a solar oven is a great way to teach students about renewable energy and the greenhouse effect. All you need is a cardboard box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and black construction paper. Line the inside of the box with aluminum foil, and then cover the opening with plastic wrap. Put black construction paper inside the box, and then place it in the sun. The black paper will absorb the heat, creating a mini oven that can cook food.
These science experiments are not only fun and engaging, but they also teach students about the principles of science in a hands-on way. And don’t be afraid to get creative and add your own twist to these experiments, too. That’s the brilliant thing about science; it’s so easy to slightly change the variables of an experiment to tailor it to your specific interests.
Getting students engaged in science is crucial because it can inspire them to pursue careers in STEM fields. According to a study by the National Science Foundation, 2.4 million jobs in STEM fields were unfilled in 2018 due to a lack of qualified candidates. That’s crazy, right? By getting more students interested in science at a young age, we can help fill this gap and support the growth of these industries. Plus, who knows? Maybe one of the students who falls in love with science in high school will go on to discover the cure for a disease or create the next groundbreaking technology. It’s important to remember that many people who work in science today first fell in love with the subject in school. So, let’s keep the flame of curiosity and excitement burning for the next generation of scientists!
