Patricia Bentham, author, kindergarten-lessons.com
Science center materials and equipment
Finding equipment and materials
There are numerous everyday items as well as commercial science center materials and equipment that are available to teach children about science.
I found many items at second hand stores and garage sales. Educational learning materials are available for all areas of the science curriculum.
Suggestions for materials to purchase are listed in the three main science skill categories.
Earth science - investigating features of the Earth and its atmosphere
Geo magnets (plastic connectors and magnetic balls)- Felt covered cookie sheets so children can play quietly with magnets and other items
- magnetic wands, bar magnets, horseshoe magnets
- collection of items to try with magnets
- sorting board (magnet will pick up, magnet won't pick up)
- rock collections
- motorized solar system
Physical science - the study of non-living things
color paddles - Old glasses with a variety of lenses
- "Lite Brite®"
- Glow light twirlers
- Holographic gift bags (dollar store type)
- Black light
- flashlights
- concave plastic lens
- convex plastic lens
- goggles
- binoculars
- strips of colored transparent and opaque plastic
- balance scales and items to weigh
- incline plane, blocks with different surfaces glued to one side (sandpaper, hard plastic, balsa wood, felt)
Life sciences - characteristics of living things
- classifying cards
- life cycle puzzles or stamps
- small lidded plastic bottles for smelling (glue a bit of fabric to the bottom and add a drop of essential oil to each one
- tuning fork and rubber hammer
- a variety of objects to touch (silk, sandpaper, fake fur); 2 of each for matching with closed eyes
- stethoscope
Educational learning materials such as sand and water tables also offer many opportunities for children to experiment with science phenomena.
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