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Bikini Bottom Experiments I really enjoyed reading these questions, and the activity ideas quickly came to me!   We could discuss how to design effective experiments, conduct experiments similar to the "Flower Power" experiment.  Have students compare the two experiments by determining the results, and keeping logs of the two.  (one experiment done correctly, and one done with the design flaw of SpongeBob's experiment.)   Kids will LOVE this!

The Lincoln High Dive: 5th Grade Science Experiment Newton's first law states that an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an outside force.  This experiment also illustrates gravity. Supplies: A Lincoln penny (or other small coin), a piece of card stoic or stiff paper, a film canister, baby food jar, or other similar size container with a mouth slightly larger than a penny, a pencil or pen, and scissors.

Using a chocolate bar or chocolate chips students will experiment with melting the chocolate in a microwave or over a stove.  Students will make predictions and will make observations about the solid turning into a liquid.  After they have made these observations they will put the chocolate back into the freezer and make predictions and observations about what happens next.

Indoor Gardening with Kitchen Waste Introduce experiment by talking about the six basic parts of plants: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruit, and seeds.  Grow a garden by using plant scraps that usually get thrown away. Supplies: 2-3 carrot tops, cut about 1 inch from the top, shallow bowl, pebbles (optional), sand, water, 1 fresh pineapple, pot of damp soil.

Multi-grade project that can you can differentiate according to skill and prior knowledge (experience). Older grade levels can research other possible materials to recycle from the kitchen in other ways.

Sprouting Seeds experiment (K-3) How much sun does a seed need to sprout? (double click PDF file to open)

Prior to this experiment students need to learn about erosion and weathering. It would be a good idea for the students to work in pairs for the research. Then during the experiment have them draw a picture to represent what happens, if able also write their observations in complete sentences

Really neat experiment for the kids to see and learn about the molecules being more spread out and moving more quickly and violently. This movement of molecules causes the balloon to expand.

Great little site that contains 3 different rock experiments that are easy to conduct and can provide great conversations among the class

In this activity students compare the mass and volume of different liguids by pouring the liquids into the same container and seeing which ones are "heavier" and "lighter."

Density - or mass per volume - of a liquid is an important scientific concept that can be viewed with the naked eye. We see it all the time with oil and water. Oil has a different density than water so the two liquids do not mix. In this experiment your child will look at a number of liquids with different densities and compare them all to water. She'll build her science skills and learn one of the most fundamental scientific concepts she'll use for years to come.

This activity deals with pressure and condensation by crushing a soda can with only air and water. Students can experiment with different variables like temperature of water or type of can.

An introductory experiment to gravity and centrifugal force.

Students can watch and observe the growth of crystals in this experiment. This investigation can be done as whole class or in groups.

Really simple activity that is easy to do and great practice in counting and measuring as well as science. Can be a lot of great discussion about what the balloons will do. 

At a young age, something that they can visibly see will catch their eye. It is a simple activity that has a real world application. I would use this less as a standard teaching opportunity and more for teaching the scientific process because of the simplicity of the experiment.

This is an excellent lesson that can be modified a number of ways.  I find that it fits well with Science and Technology Standards 2.4.1 and 2.4.2.   2.4.1:  Identify parts of the human body that can be used as tools. 2.4.2:  Identify technologies developed by humans to meet human needs.  Investigate the limitations of technologies and how they have improved quality of life. Students could identify how teeth can be considered a tool.  They could discuss the toothbrush (and its evolution to items like Sonicare.)  The experiments will help them understand the limitations of the toothbrush, and how their choices affect their teeth.

Have a lot of loose buttons lying around the house? Put them to use! Leftover buttons make for great tactile math games and art projects to do with your kindergartner. Children are attracted to the bright colors and shapes of buttons, so they're perfect for teaching your child important concepts like sorting, counting, and patterning. Here are four ways to turn those loose buttons into an easy and positive learning experience. 

In this activity students must use their senses to decide what they are tasting.  They must plug their nose and see how their senses are connected.

This is a classic, although I have also seen an onion used where you hold a piece of onion under a blindfolded person's nose and have him/her eat a potato or an apple, and the person thinks he/she is actually eating an onion.

Core Standard: Provide evidence that heat and electricity are forms of energy. (4.1.1, 4.1.2) Core Standard: Design and assemble electric circuits that provide a means of transferring energy from one form or place to another. (4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5)

Students can build a water wheel and see the force of water in motion. They can also experiment with different forces and see how they affect the water wheel.