The Foundation has supported science projects at all grade levels. We’ve sent kids outside to measure freshwater habitats and ocean salinity and inside to study the human body and raise their own zoo creatures. From live animals to equipment to technology – Foundation grants have brought science alive. We’ve provided below an index of some successful science grant ideas. Use them to develop your own grant application!
Ideas from Past Grants
A Zoo in School? In this grant, students in 6th and 7th grades adopted a ‘Little Zoo’ creature (Aquatic, Desert and Rainforest) – creatures that have adapted to different environments. Students care for the creatures but also study them to see how they have adapted to different environments and survived evolution’s changes.
Streams in the 2nd grade: Using a stream kit, students helped build a stream ecosystem/habitat and then journaled their observations, planned conservation activities and studied rivers and pollution. By building their own stream, students were able to get a firsthand look at habitats and the environment.
Sensing, Measuring and Graphing Data: Students in grades 1-5 use a rugged handheld tablet device (the NOVA 500EX) to connect temperature, wind speed, etc. Each grade uses the tool differently. For example, 1st graders use the tool to measure weather in Collins Cove. 2nd graders use it to explore water temperature.
Soda, Yogurt, Bread and Cheese? In this grant, biology students learned about cell functions, bacteria and fermentation, etc. but making their own version of these common foods. What a way to bring biology to life!
Greenhouses Gases: Want to teach students about the impact that schools can have on the environment? Why not use a “Carbon Calculator” to figure it out and then make a plan to reverse it? Students at one school measured the electrical and heating usage of their school then planted trees to try to reduce their net pollution.
To the Moon: Middle school students designed and constructed their own rockets to learn about the concepts of gravity, friction, drag and air resistance. Rockets were then launched and ascent and descent were timed and charted. Students also learned about the historical significance of rockets, ranging from the Chinese use of “black powder” to propel arrows to today’s space travel programs.
Critter Cams: To learn about technology and Massachusetts wildlife species, high school students used mapping software, a handheld GPS and local wildlife resources to position two infrared motion sensitive cameras in the Salem Woods. Digital pictures were then uploaded onto an online album, allowing students to chart the number of animals photographed in each location and to test seasonal movement predictions.
A (PVC) Pipe Dream: As part of a K-5 science curriculum, one teacher taught the concepts of design, flow and motion using ordinary PVC piping. Students worked in teams to design and build their own tracks and then, depending on their ages, used their tracks to test curriculum based concepts. Balls, water and sound were all sent through the pipes to test the effects that angles and shape have on speed and velocity.
Ideas from other Foundations
Techsploration
Tom Wahle, Techsplortion
Techsploration programs and workshops are designed to introduce students in New England to technology, science, and problem solving in a fun and exciting way. Tom Wahle uses a wide variety of methods – slides, huge props, juggling, blues harmonica, and even balloon tying – to teach technology and science concepts. In addition to being fun, the activities are highly educational. They reinforce the schools curriculum, illustrate how concepts are applied to real life situations, and incorporate state standards. Learn more at the Techsploration Website.
Resources
For more projects in this category, go to kidsinneed.net
For educational programs through the Museum of Science, go to their Classroom Resources.
