| There are a few things you need to think about when | | | | ruler will, without warning, drop the ruler so it will fall |
| choosing science experiments for your kids, such as if | | | | straight down between the partner's thumb and |
| it is age-appropriate, and does it fit their interests. | | | | fingers. The partner that is having their reaction time |
| Sometimes what you think would be just perfect does | | | | tested should try to grab the ruler as fast as they can |
| not interest your child, so don't get too invested in your | | | | after it is dropped. Record the centimeters under the |
| chosen science experiment. The only bribe you should | | | | fingers were the ruler is gripped, and record those |
| offer your child for completing the science experiment | | | | numbers on paper. Try this experiment a few more |
| is the fun of experiencing the end result. Especially | | | | times and record your results. Then let your partner try |
| when working with small children it is important to take | | | | to catch the ruler. It is fun to see if your reaction time |
| your time and be flexible. You might think you know | | | | gets better with practice or one of you has a faster |
| what the end result should be, but things can turn out | | | | reaction time than the other. |
| differently, so be willing to accept any results of the | | | | 3. Peripheral vision: |
| experiment as a fun lesson learned. | | | | For this experiment you will need three different |
| Here are four easy experiments to get you started. | | | | colored pieces of paper, three different colored |
| (You probably already have all that is necessary to do | | | | markers, and a big piece of butcher paper or |
| the experiments in your home.) | | | | newspaper, and a partner. The object of this |
| 1 Taste: | | | | experiment is to test your peripheral vision. Cut each |
| For this experiment you will need cotton swabs, water, | | | | colored paper into a different basic shape. Then use a |
| several cups, unsweetened baking cocoa, lemon juice, | | | | different colored marker on each shape to write a |
| salt, honey, and pens and paper, and a partner. One | | | | different letter. One partner will stand on the butcher |
| partner will be the one tasting and the other partner will | | | | paper and the other partner should draw a semi-circle |
| be the one testing, and then switching places later. | | | | in front at arms length. The partner standing on the |
| Different areas of your tongue have taste buds that | | | | paper should stay still with eyes looking straight ahead |
| taste sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. The point of this | | | | as the other partner holds up one of the pieces of |
| experiment is to find out firsthand what part of your | | | | paper and walks from one end of the semi-circle to |
| tongue tastes these different things. To start this | | | | the other. The partner on the paper should say when |
| experiment first make sure the different foods are all | | | | they first see the color of the paper, then the shape of |
| in liquid form. You can do that by mixing the powders | | | | the paper, and finally the letter written on the paper. |
| with water to make them liquid. First the tester should | | | | Note these findings. Now switch partners. Repeat as |
| dip the cotton swab into one of the liquids and brush it | | | | before. Compare the two charts to see the |
| on different areas of the taster's tongue. Repeat this | | | | differences between the two partners' peripheral |
| with each of the other liquids. The taster should | | | | vision. |
| frequently sip water to cleanse their palette. As each | | | | 4. Perception: |
| item is tasted, take your paper and pen and map out | | | | For this experiment you will need a clear cup, several |
| where the different foods taste the strongest on the | | | | pennies, pen and paper, table, and chairs, and a partner. |
| tongue. When both partners take turns being tasters | | | | The object of this experiment is to see if using two |
| then you can compare notes. Have fun finding out | | | | eyes is better than just using one. Have each partner |
| exactly where these areas are on your tongue. | | | | sit on a chair at the table with the cup between them. |
| 2. Reaction time: | | | | One partner will hold their hand over the cup with a |
| To do this experiment you will need a standard ruler, | | | | penny. The other partner will watch and tell the partner |
| table, and paper and pencil, and a partner. The object | | | | with the penny to move forward, back, left, or right. |
| of this science experiment is to find out how fast your | | | | When it looks like the penny is over the cup tell your |
| reaction time is. The reaction time is the time it takes | | | | partner to drop it. See if the penny goes into the cup. |
| for your eyes to see what is happening and your brain | | | | Then try the experiment again with one eye closed. |
| to register and tell your hand to grab the ruler. One | | | | Write down your results. Then trade jobs with your |
| partner will need to sit with their arm resting on a table | | | | partner. Compare your results to see if two eyes are |
| with the wrist hanging slightly off the edge with both | | | | better than one. |
| the thumb and index finger on top with the hand a little | | | | The most important thing to keep in mind while deciding |
| bit open, like holding a mug handle. The other partner | | | | on what science experiments for kids to do is to pick |
| will stand nearby with the ruler hanging over the | | | | experiments you and your kids can have a good time |
| seated partner's hand slightly. The partner holding the | | | | doing together. |