Essential Science Activities to Start the School Year
Updated: Aug 6
Starting the school year on the right foot is crucial for setting the tone in any science classroom. To ensure students are prepared for the challenges ahead, it's important to focus on key foundational topics that will support their understanding throughout the year.
In this blog post, we'll explore the most essential science topics to kickstart the school year: Lab Safety, Laboratory Equipment, Making Measurements, The Scientific Method, and Unit Conversions. These activities are appropriate for both middle school and high school students. Let's dive into why these topics should be prioritized and how they contribute to a successful science education.
List of Activities:
1. The Scientific Method: The Backbone of Scientific Inquiry
Why Understanding the Scientific Method is Essential
The scientific method is the process that underpins all scientific inquiry. Teaching students this method early in the year gives them a framework for thinking critically and solving problems systematically.
Even if the scientific method has been taught, the beginning of the school year is an excellent opportunity to review.
Activity 1 : Address Student Misconceptions Using Concept Cartoons
Students often develop misconceptions about science due to inaccurate information from the media, personal stereotypes, or the misuse of scientific vocabulary. These misconceptions can persist throughout their lives.
Concept cartoons are a useful tool for addressing this issue. These cartoon-style drawings present different perspectives on a specific scientific concept, including the scientifically accepted explanation. By doing so, they encourage student discussion and help reveal any misconceptions students may have.
Why Concept Cartoons Work
Research on concept cartoons highlights their effectiveness in science education for several reasons:
Accessible to All Students: Concept cartoons present problems in a format that is easily understood by students of all ages and levels of understanding, making them an excellent tool for addressing science misconceptions.
Revealing and Challenging Misconceptions: These cartoons are particularly effective at revealing students' ideas and challenging their misconceptions about science. This process allows students to contextualize their thoughts both in writing and verbally, leading to deeper understanding.
Encouraging Collaboration: Concept cartoons support student collaboration and the social construction of knowledge by encouraging students to consider each other's ideas and evaluate their own understanding of different scientific concepts.
How I Use Concept Cartoons In My Classroom
In my classroom, I use concept cartoons by having students work in groups. Each group selects a cartoon character from the STEAM KIDS series that they agree with, and then explains why they chose that perspective.
This activity not only fosters collaboration but also introduces metacognitive strategies into the lesson, helping students reflect on their thinking and reasoning processes.
By integrating concept cartoons into your science lessons, you can effectively address science misconceptions, promote student collaboration.
Get The Scientific Method Concept Cartoons HERE.
Activity 2: Science In Focus Newsletters - Assessing Scientific Breakthroughs to Enhance Students' Critical Thinking Skills
I’ve always believed that it’s more valuable for students to focus on developing scientific skills rather than strictly adhering to a rigid scientific method. I discuss this in detail in my post, "4 Mistakes We Make When Teaching the Scientific Method."
Evaluating Scientific Discoveries
One activity I’ve found particularly effective for introducing the skills scientists use—and for helping students better understand the scientific process—is having them evaluate the "scientific method" of other scientists.
Many of the most celebrated scientific discoveries were not the result of a step-by-step method but rather a highly iterative process that involved creativity, intuition, and sometimes, plain old luck.
Features of the Science In Focus Newsletters
The Science in Focus newsletters cover a range of scientists and a range of scientific discoveries. They also include a choice board of 6 critical analysis questions to get students thinking and talking about the scientific method ( the choice boards are editable so you can change question format and wording to suit your classroom needs) .
Students roll a die, select their question and discuss with their peers then write their ideas in their journal page. Students can be given a newsletter and discovery to evaluate at the end of every month.
Explore the Science In Focus Newsletters HERE
Try A free Sample HERE!
2. Lab Safety: The Foundation of Every Science Classroom
Why Lab Safety is the Top Priority
Lab safety is the cornerstone of any successful science program. Before students can explore exciting experiments and scientific concepts, they must understand the importance of maintaining a safe environment. Establishing good safety habits from the outset not only protects students but also fosters a culture of responsibility and respect for the lab environment.
Throughout the year, reinforcing lab safety principles through regular drills and reminders will help maintain a safe learning environment. Consider integrating safety contracts that students sign, committing to follow all safety protocols.
The Lab Safety Bundle
In my post 3 Non-Boring Activities for teaching lab safety (your students will love) I discuss three game-based activities you can easily implement in your classroom when introducing this topic.
These include:
Lab Safety Dominoes In this Domino style game students match lab hazard with the correct safety symbols.
Lab Safety BINGO! Students learn and revise the different lab safety symbols and safety equipment with a fun bingo game. Call cards are editable so clues can be edited based on your grade level.
Lab Safety Scavenger Hunt In this activity students hunt for lab safety equipment in order to decipher a cryptogram. This is a fun way to familiarize students with the location and uses of various safety equipment.
Each of these activities is geared towards getting students acquainted with the lab safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, eye wash stations, as well as the lab safety symbols they will encounter, especially if you plan on doing any experiments this school year.
You can also assign your students these STOP! Safety First task cards to review lab safety rules and procedures.
Do you want ALL of these resources for Back -To-School season? Check Out the Lab Safety Starter Pack HERE
3. Laboratory Equipment: Tools of the Trade
Familiarity with Lab Equipment is Crucial
Once lab safety is established, students need to become familiar with the laboratory equipment they'll be using throughout the year. Understanding the proper use and care of these science lab tools is essential for conducting experiments effectively and accurately and safely.
Provide students with opportunities to handle and use the equipment in non-experimental settings to build confidence. Consider setting up stations where students can rotate through different tools and practice using them correctly.
Activity 1: Lab Equipment Scavenger hunt
The Lab Equipment Scavenger Hunt, similar to the Lab Safety Scavenger Hunt, is a fun activity that encourages students to move around the classroom. In this activity, students work in teams to decipher a cryptogram containing a science message.
To obtain the cipher needed to solve the cryptogram, students must solve clues related to different lab equipment and locate the equipment around the room. At each location, they will find a code that brings them one step closer to deciphering the cryptogram.
Activity 2: Lab Apparatus Bingo
The lab apparatus Bingo is a great no prep activity to help students review the names and functions of the different science lab equipment.
If you are looking for a fun activity to review the laboratory apparatus in your classroom try out the Lab Apparatus BINGO!
4. Making Measurements: Precision Matters
The Importance of Accurate Measurements
Making accurate measurements is a fundamental skill in science that students will use in every experiment. Whether it's measuring the volume of a liquid or determining the mass of a solid, precision is key to obtaining reliable results.
Core Measurement Techniques
Using Balances: Understanding how to zero a balance and measure mass accurately.
Measuring Volume: Demonstrating the correct way to read the meniscus when measuring liquids in graduated cylinders.
Temperature Measurements: Teaching students how to use thermometers correctly, including the importance of waiting for equilibrium.
Integrating Measurement Practice
Incorporate measurement activities into daily lessons, allowing students to practice and refine their skills. Encourage students to record their measurements in lab notebooks, emphasizing the importance of accurate data collection.
ACTIVITY 1: Reading Scales on Various Measuring Instruments
In addition to being able to use the different measuring instruments competently, students need to be able to read the scales accurately. These worksheets are perfect for giving students the necessary practice in reading common measuring instruments. These include reading the thermometer, the burette, and the measuring cylinder
5. Unit Conversions: The Language of Science
Understanding Unit Conversions is Key to Scientific Literacy
Unit conversions are essential for interpreting and comparing scientific data. Whether students are converting between metric units or translating measurements into standard units, this skill is necessary for clear communication and accurate calculations in science.
Fundamental Unit Conversion Skills
Metric System: Teaching students the basics of the metric system, including prefixes like kilo-, centi-, and milli-.
Dimensional Analysis: Introducing students to the process of using conversion factors to switch between units.
Common Conversions: Ensuring students can confidently convert between units of length, mass, volume, and temperature.
Practice and Application
Incorporate unit conversions into everyday lessons, providing students with frequent opportunities to practice. Consider using real-world examples, such as converting recipe measurements or calculating distances, to make the concept more relatable.
Activity 1: Unit Conversion Worksheet Bundle (Scaffolded Worksheets)
This resource contains scaffolded worksheets which guides students through dimensional analysis calculations step by step.
Ths resource is part of a bundle Fundamental Mathematics for Science Students. Check it out here.
Starting the school year by focusing on these essential science topics will set students up for success. By prioritizing lab safety, ensuring familiarity with laboratory equipment, emphasizing the importance of accurate measurements, reinforcing the scientific method, and mastering unit conversions, you are equipping your students with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in science.
These foundational topics not only prepare students for the specific content they'll encounter throughout the year but also instill critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are essential for their future studies and careers in science.
Are there any other concepts that I missed? Do you agree or disagree with my top four? Let me know in the comments.
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