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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » The ABC of Science Experiments

    The ABC of Science Experiments

    January 8, 2013 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

    Welcome to the ABC of science experiments. Work your way through this fun filled A to Z list of science experiments and scientific terms.

    All the ideas are great for kids of all ages and perfect for home, science club or school.

    A is for Air Pressure

    Air pressure is the weight of the gases in the atmosphere pressing down on the Earth. It is highest close to the ground as there are more air molecules.

    Air pressure investigations

    Observe changes in air pressure with a homemade barometer.

    homemade barometer made with a glass jar, balloon, skewer and tape

    Use changing air pressure to force a boiled egg to drop into a jar.

    A is for Atom

    Everything is made of atoms. Atoms are VERY small and are made up of even smaller particles called electrons, protons and neutrons.

    Learn about atoms and molecules with these simple candy molecules or paper plate isotopes!

    Carbon Dioxide molecule model made with sweets and toothpicks

    B is for Bubbles

    Bubbles are brilliant for lots of different science experiments. Find out why bubbles pop, make a giant bubble or even a square bubble.

    Image of bubbled with a forest background

    B is for Balloon 

    Use a balloon to make a lung model, balloon powered car or hovercraft!

    supercharged balloon powered car, made with 3 balloons

    C is for Crater

    A crater is a bowl-shaped depression formed by the impact of a meteorite, volcanic activity, or an explosion.

    Learn all about craters using flour, cocoa powder and different size balls.

    Barringer Crater

    D is for Dissolve

    Try dissolving sugar in water to make a solution, or watch salt dissolve in water to make a salt volcano.

    test tubes filled with water, pepper, sugar and salt for a dissolving experiment

    D is for Dome

    Find out why domes such a strong shape by making an eggshell bridge. These are a bit tricky, but worth the effort.

    Bridge made from half eggshells for a science experiment

    E is for Electromagnetic Spectrum

    The electromagnetic spectrum is the name for all the different forms of light that are given off by objects in the Universe.

    diagram showing the electromagnetic spectrum, types of waves and uses of waves

    E is for EGGS

    Science Sparks has lots of fun eggy experiments for you to try. Remove the shell from an egg without touching it, bounce an egg without it breaking and lots more!

    egg with no shell. The shell has been removed by soaking in vinegar

    F is for Friction

    Friction is a force that tries to stop objects sliding past each other. Friction is helpful because it allows moving objects to start and stop, but also wastes energy as it slows things down.

    You can learn about friction by making a large friction ramp or a mini friction ramp in a tray.

    DIY friction ramp for a science investigation about forces

    G is for Gravity

    Gravity is the force that stops us floating away. Any object with mass has gravity. The more mass an object has the stronger its gravitational pull. It’s the Earth’s gravity that keeps us on the ground and causes things to fall to the ground.

    There are lots of great fun ways to learn about gravity. Rockets, slingshots, parachutes and marble runs all work fantastically well.

    Bottle Rocket from This IS Rocket Science

    H is for Hypothesis

    A hypothesis is a potential explanation for what a scientists observes in an experiment. Scientists make an observation, come up with a hypothesis and then test whether the hypothesis is correct or not.

    I is for Isotope

    Isotopes are different forms of the same element. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons. This means they have the same atomic number, but a different mass number.

    J is for Joint

    Joints are where the bones of the skeleton meet. Some joints are fixed but most are moveable.

    There are several different types of joint. The knee joint is a hinge joint which can only move in one plane. The most flexible joint is the ball and socket joint of which the shoulder is a good example!

    J is for Joule

    A Joule is a unit used to measure energy.

    K is for Kinetic Energy

    Moving objects store energy in their kinetic energy stores. Energy can be transferred between energy stores. A shoebox catapult is a great way to demonstrate potential energy changing to kinetic energy which is transferred to the ball allowing it to fly through the air.

    shoebox catapult for demonstrating energy transfers

    L is for Light

    Did you know light always travels in straight lines? One way to demonstrate this is to make a light maze!

    light maze with mirrors

    L is for Lung

    Lungs are a main part of the respiratory system where gas exchange takes place.

    This model of a lung demonstrates how the lung works with a clever balloon diaphragm.

    Girl holding a model of a lung made with a plastic bottle, balloon and straw

    M is for Magnetism

    Magnets have two poles called the north and south pole. They produce magnetic fields.

    A magnetic field is an area where other magnets or magnetic materials experience a force.

    a magnet with iron filings around it showing the magnet field

    One fun way to learn about magnets is to make a magnet maze.

    space themed magnet maze made with a paper plate and paperclip for a simple magnet science experiment for kids

    You can also make a compass with a magnet!

    N is for Nitrogen Cycle

    Nitrogen moves through the air, soil and living organisms in a process called the Nitrogen Cycle.

    N is for Nucleus

    The nucleus is the part of a plant or animal cell that contains the genetic material. This plant cell model is a great way to learn about the nucleus and other sub cellular structures.

    plant cell model made from modroc

    N is for Natural Selection

    Natural Selection means Survival of the Fittest and is Charles Darwins theory of how evolution occurs.

    The theory is that organisms with characteristics best adapted to their environment survive better and are more likely to produce offspring than those less well adapted to their environment.

    My bird and beak activity is a great way to demonstrate natural selection.

    a small bowl of pasta shapes, plastic fish and tweezers for a natural selection activity

    O is for Osmosis

    Osmosis is the net movement of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration.

    One easy way to demonstrate osmosis is to use an egg. If you remove the shell by soaking in vinegar you can use the semi permeable membrane of the egg to show how water moves into the egg if it is placed in a cup of water and out of the egg if it is placed in a concentrated sugar solution.

    Using eggs to explain osmosis. One egg with no shell has been placed in water and has expanded. A second egg has been placed in a sugar solution and has shrunk as water has moved out of the egg

    P is for Photosynthesis

    Plants make their own food in a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis uses energy from the sun to make glucose.

    The rate of photosynthesis is affected by light intensity, the concentration of carbon dioxide and temperature.

    Photosynthesis Diagram

    Q is Qualitative and Quantitative Data

    Quantitative data is that can be measured or counted. This kind of data is recorded in number form. For example: speed, weight, temperature, percentage.

    Qualitative data is data that cannot be expressed numerically, such as descriptive information.

    R is for Respiration

    Respiration is the process by which energy is released from food. It happens in every cell of all living organisms.

    Respiration uses glucose (from food) and oxygen in the air you breathe to produce carbon dioxide and water (waste products) and energy.

    The energy from respiration is used for growth, repair of cells, metabolic processes and lots more.

    One easy way to learn about respiration and see it in action is making pizza or bread dough.

    Pizza dough being kneaded by a child's hands

    R is also for Radioactive

    Most atoms are stable, but radioactive atoms are unstable. They give off tiny particles and energy until they are stable. This is called radioactive decay.

    Marie Curie was a scientist who discovered two new radioactive elements.

    S is for Skeleton

    Skeletons provide support for the rest of the body and protect delicate organs.

    One fun way to learn about bones is to make a bendy bone by soaking a chicken bone in vinegar! You can find this activity in Gross Science.

    T is for Transpiration

    Transpiration is the loss of water from a plant, mostly through the leaves. The loss of water from the leaves draws water up through the plant from the roots. This is called the transpiration stream.

    You can demonstrate transpiration by placing a white flower in water and food colouring. The coloured water is drawn up the stem into the leaves which change colour.

    white carnation flower with blue tips in the petals from blue water being drawn up the stem to the petals by transpiration

    U is for Universe

    The universe is everything that exists, stars, galaxies, planets and it’s always expanding!

    You can use a balloon to demonstrate the expanding universe.

    a yellow balloon with black dots to demonstrate stars and planets. Blow the balloon up to show how the universe is expanding

    V is for Viscosity

    Viscosity describes the motion of a liquid, how easily it flows. Racing different liquids is a great fun way to learn about viscosity!

    children pouring liquids down a ramp to learn about viscosity

    W is for Wavelength

    Wavelength is the distance between the peak of one wave and the peak of the next one.

    Learn all about wavelength with a simple wave model!

    toothpick and gummy sweet wave model

    W is for Water Cycle

    Find out about the water cycle with an easy water cycle in a bag activity.

    water cycle in a bag

    X is for X -rays

    X-rays are used to view inside objects and materials. X-rays have lots of uses from seeing inside the body to inspecting fossils.

    Y is for Yield

    Yield is the amount of product you get from a reaction.

    Z is for Zygote

    A zygote forms when a female and male gamete fuse to produce a fertilised egg.

    What a lot of science! Let me know how far you get through my A-Z list of science experiments!

    egg with no shell, modroc plant cell model, density demonstration and more science experiments for an A-Z of science experiments

    Last Updated on January 10, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

    « Science Sparks – 2012
    Mint Chocolate Leaves – Changes of State »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories

      January 10, 2013 at 7:48 pm

      All super great ideas!

      Reply
    2. JDaniel4's Mom

      January 11, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      JDaniel would love exploring each of these.

      Reply
    3. The fairy and the frog

      January 24, 2013 at 8:36 pm

      So many great experiments- thanks for the round up

      Reply

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