The Cool, Awesome, Simple Science Series – 62 Experiments in Color

Science Fair Ideas for Elementary Grades

  • Anatomy
  • Animal Science
  • Bacteriology
  • Chemical Change
  • Environmental Science
  • Heat Energy
  • Plant Science

WORKSHEET & Sample PDF Activity

Sample PDF Activity

Anatomy – Lung and Diaphragm

30 minutes

Get it Together

  • 16-ounce plastic soda bottle
  • 2-9″ balloons
  • Electrical tape
  • Straw
  • Canning lid (same diameter as the bottle)
  • Modeling clay
  • Scissors
Anatomy – Lung and Diaphragm Experiment

Procedure

  1. Cut the bottom portion off the bottle.
  2. Cut the straw to 5″.
  3. Tape one balloon to the end of the straw.
  4. Suspend the straw through the top bottle opening with clay. Make a tight seal.
  5. Cut the narrow end off the second balloon and stretch it over the canning lid.
  6. Insert the ring/balloon into the large open end of the soda bottle and seal it with tape.
  7. Push and pull on the stretched balloon.

Attention! Have an adult cut the bottom off the bottle.

A Closer Look

Your diaphragm is at the bottom of your chest. The stretched balloon represents the diaphragm. The diaphragm contracts and pulls down the bottom of your chest to help you inhale. When you pulled down on the stretched balloon, the inside balloon expanded, or inhaled, air. When you pushed up on the stretched balloon you saw the inside balloon collapse, or exhale.

Animal Science – Just Ducky

5 minutes

Get it Together

  • Vegetable shortening
  • Paper
  • Scissors
  • Water
  • Bowl
Animal Science – Just Ducky Experiment

Procedure

  1. Cut 2 leather shapes from the paper.
  2. Coat both sides of one feather with the shortening.
  3. Fill the bowl with water. 4. Place both feathers in the water.

A Closer Look

Water soaked into the uncoated feather, but beaded up on the coated feather. The shortening provided a waxy coating that protected the feather. Ducks waterproof their feathers with a waxy type of oil. This oil is produced in a gland at the base of the tail. The duck uses its bill to rub its feathers with oil.

About Carson Dellosa Education

Carson Dellosa Education was established in 1976 by Patti Carson, Janet Dellosa, and Steve Carson. Carson Dellosa Education provides excellent educational materials that "Educate, Motivate, and Decorate" in classrooms around the world. Carson-Dellosa’s complete line of classroom decorations, supplemental books, and other resources feature bright artwork and sound educational principles designed to aid teachers, parents, and students from preschool through the twelfth grade.
Carson Dellosa Education, takes pride in providing teachers, parents, and children around the world with the best possible educational materials.

Stay Connected

Coupons, sales and latest free apps

Our newsletter for teachers, educators & parents!  Subscribe to our weekly shameless plug! Sometimes coupons, other times sales, always fun! We will keep up on our always evolving teacher supplies catalog and all of our latest free educational apps!. Enter your e-mail and subscribe to our newsletter.