The Age 8-10 - Semester 1 - Science Kit provides specialized materials for hands-on investigations in units Dirt and Plants, Ecosystems and Ecology, Magnetism and Electricity, and Forces of Nature. These activities help children test how plants grow in different soils, clean polluted water, build electrical circuits, and explore forces with a balloon rocket.

Engage Your Child with a Hands-on Science Curriculum

This kit includes over 80 materials used in experiments throughout the semester. Here are a few examples your child will complete.

• Discover How Soil Affects Plant Growth: Your child plants grass seed in different soil mixtures, predicts which will grow best, and measures growth over several weeks. Comparing the results shows how soil composition affects plant growth.
• Investigate How Pollution Changes an Ecosystem: Your child adds pollutants to clean water, then uses tools such as a sponge and strainer to remove them. Comparing the water before and after cleanup shows how pollution affects habitats and why contaminants can be difficult to remove.
• Explore How Electrical Pathways Affect a Circuit: Your child builds series and parallel circuits, then disconnects parts to compare what happens. This demonstrates how single and multiple electrical pathways affect current flow.
• Test Newton’s Third Law with a Balloon Rocket: Your child builds a balloon rocket and observes how escaping air propels it along a string. The result demonstrates Newton’s third law: air moves one way while the balloon moves in the opposite direction.

A Complete Hands-On Science Experience

Hands-on Science can require families to gather many different supplies. This kit provides specialized materials for the featured investigations, reducing preparation and helping parents spend more time guiding observations, questions, comparisons, and scientific conclusions. 

The following items are included in this kit. This list is subject to change.

• 6-inch square of thin cloth
• chalk powder
• clay soil
• construction paper
• gallon zip top bag
• grass seed
• gravel
• index cards
• large rubber band
• lima beans
• magnifying glass
• paintbrush
• pencil
• pipe cleaners
• plastic cups
• potting soil
• quart zip top bag
• ruler
• sand
• spray bottle with water
• Styrofoam cup
• tracing paper
• variety of seeds
• wiggly eyes
• yarn
• birdseed
• bucket
• Endangered game pages
• food coloring
• sponge
• 3 drinking straws
• 3-foot long wire
• AA batteries
• alligator clips
• aluminum shield
• aluminum washer
• balloon
• balloon or plastic comb
• battery holder
• block of wood
• brass fasteners
• buzzer
• clear plastic sheet
• copper shield
• crayon
• D cell battery
• foam
• foam ball
• foam shield
• iron filings
• item made of wood
• Ivory soap
• large nail (3")
• large paper clip
• LED bulb
• marble magnet
• metal paper clip
• motor
• neodymium bar magnet
• paint in different colors
• paper clips
• penny
• peppermint or wintergreen Life Saver
• plastic paper clip
• plastic shield
• red & blue bar magnets
• ring magnet
• safety goggles
• small compass
• small plastic toy
• spool of thread
• steel shield
• string
• switch card
• toothpick
• wood shield
• balloons of different shapes and sizes
• clothespin
• drinking straws
• feather
• film canister
• marbles
• note cards
• paper bowls
• protractor
• sandpaper
• small bucket
• toy cars
• wax paper
• wooden cylinder