If your child is a student in Primary 3, science is a new subject that they will be taking.
Science is an intriguing subject and an integral part of our daily life. Creating science experiments at home help to reinforce concepts learnt in school and is a fun way to bond with your child.
DIY primary 3 science experiments to do at home
1. A Cup of Rain
This simple experiment that complements the Primary 3 Science curriculum lets your child visualise the process of rainfall from the heavy clouds to learn about the water cycle and osmosis.
Materials:
- A large glass or transparent container
- Shaving foam
- Food colouring
- Coloured water
- Eyedropper
Steps:
1. Fill half the glass with water.
2. Spray some shaving cream on top of the water until the glass is ¾ full.
3. Mix half a cup of water with 10 drops of food colouring in a separate container.
4. Using the eye dropper, pick up some coloured water and add it to the top of the shaving cream. Observe how the coloured water drips through the clouds.
Related Science concepts
Weather:
Through this activity, your child will learn that rain clouds hold condensed water droplets that have evaporated from the Earth’s surface. When the water droplets become too large and heavy, rain falls onto the surface. The shaving foam acts as the clouds and the coloured water as rain.
Osmosis:
The coloured water diffuses into the clear water from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
2. Colour-changing Flowers
Primary 3 Science covers living things which include plants and animals. This experiment shows how plants get water from the roots to the petals and how white flowers can be dyed another colour.
Materials:
- 3 white carnations, or any white flower
- 3 food colours
- 3 test tubes or cups
- Water
- Scissors
Steps:
1. Fill each cup halfway with water.
2. Add about 3 drops of food colouring to one cup. Repeat with the other two colours.
3. Make a vertical slit along the stem of each flower.
4. Fully immerse each stem half into a different cup.
5. Wait and observe how the flowers change colours.
Related Science concept
Plant functions:
Water evaporates from the leaves, buds and petals. The petals pull water up the stem of the plant. Meanwhile, the capillary action of the coloured water from the stem to petals dyes it a different colour.
3. Magnet Attraction
This experiment is a simple introduction to magnets and shows the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials. Set-up is easy and involves the resources that you already have at home.
Materials:
- 1 Large container
- 2 Small containers labelled “Magnetic” and “Non-magnetic”
- A magnetic wand or bar magnet
- A variety of magnetic and non-magnetic items (Coin, screw, eraser, feather, plastic figurine)
Steps:
1. Place all the items into the large container.
2. Hover the magnetic wand or bar magnet over each item.
3. Place the items that are attracted to the magnet into the container labelled “Magnetic” and the other items into “Non-magnetic”.
Related Science concept
Classification of Magnetic and Non-magnetic materials:
Objects that are made from iron, nickel and cobalt are magnetic and will be attracted to magnets. Items without magnetic properties will not be attracted to magnets.
Make Science enjoyable with MindChamps Enrichment Academy
To give your child an all-rounded understanding of Science, consider MindChamps Science enrichment classes through MindChamps Enrichment Academy’s Primary Success Programme for students from primary 3 to primary 5. Topics are broken down into concepts by experienced trainers and the weekly fun activities enhance learning beyond the surface.
Learn more about our Primary Success Programme and enrol your child for the next term to enjoy exclusive registration offers!
Written by Jamie Koh