Doing science projects during class is a great way to get your students interested in class. But how do you continue these projects outside of the classroom? Here is a list of the top 25 2nd grade science projects to keep your students learning, even when they’re not in class. And best of all, they’ll have fun!
1. The Amazing Growing Gummy Bear
This project focuses on the scientific method and requires little more than common household items, since this experiment is essentially a mixture of candy in liquid. However, we don’t recommend eating this, as it’s not an edible science experiment!
The Amazing Growing Gummy Bear
2. Make a Model Steam Engine
This is a fun project that I use to help my students understand temperature for earth science. It can also serve to teach the water cycle and requires only a few items, such as pipe cleaners and a plastic bottle.
3. Dig up bones!
Get your students out of the house with this classic experiment. Students will compare bones that they dig up and record differences in the bones found. You can also use this to teach about different rocks and rock layers.
4. Learn how leaves get water
This is a great example of experiments for kids to teach about plant adaptations and the cycle of plants. Choosing any outdoor plant with leaves and keep water level records in a science journal.
5. Jumping Goop
Use this experiment to teach second grade concepts, like friction and states of matter with just a few household items.
6. Kool-aid Rock Candy
No, not that kind of rock candy! This colorful experiment is also a great idea for a science fair project by making new candy through mixing colors and a variety of liquids.
7. Magnetic field sensory bottle
An experiment with magnets and ink is a excellent way to teach your students about magnet properties and magnet strength.
8. Learn how water moves through leaves
This simple project for kids helps kids to see a plant’s food process in action and learn about the parts of the plants. Don’t forget to tell students to record their observations in a science journal.
9. Make a water rocket
Take your students to the stars by teaching them about reactions and simple aerodynamics.
10. Rock Classification
In this project kids will learn about different kinds of rocks by identifying them based on geological classification categories.
11. Sprout House
Combine engineering with science by creating a miniature house from sponges and seed pods.
12. Build a Solar Oven
This is an innovative way of exploring the effects of temperature and temperature conditions by cooking food.
13. Egg-based Chalk
You’ll only need some common items for this activity. Try including some mixing of colors for a wider variety, or color charts to incorporate art.
14. Milk Plastic Polymers
Instead of milk & cookies, your students can learn about creating simple polymers with thus cool science experiment.
15. Hotdog Mummification
Definitely not an edible science experiment! This is great for some cross-curricular education by studying the process of ancient Egyptian mummification.
16. Weathering Rocks
Use some water to break down rocks as part of this ocean science activity to help your students learn about weathering rocks.
17. “Breathing” Leaves
By placing a leaf in water, you can teach your students about thus important plant cycle.
18. Create an Ecosystem
Depending on how long you let this experiment run for, you can use self-sustaining ecosystem plant seeds to teach about the plant life cycle, too.
19. Rainbow Jar
You’ll need some dish soap and a few other ingredients to make some amazing color-changing liquid for this experiment. It’ll help your students to learn about molecules and density.
20. Polar Bear Blubber
Teach your students how arctic animals stay warm in this cool experiment. Don’t forget to use gloves to prevent any mess.
21. Fireworks in a Jar
Another jar experiment, you can use this to explore ideas of density with different types of liquid.
22. Magnetic Slime
Who doesn’t love slime?! Your students will need a few more ingredients for this mix, but they’ll be sure to enjoy learning about magnet properties through magnet play.
23. Lemon Volcano
An alternate take on a traditional project, you can use this to explore reactions in water mixtures as part of the core science curriculum.
24. Gummy Bear Science
This is another gummy-based experience that involves putting gummies in water to learn about osmosis.
25. Homemade Playdough
Get creative with this homemade playdough, which you can use to educate your students about mixtures while having fun.
These projects are a surefire way to get kids thinking and learning about science while they enjoy themselves.
