Science Education

This list will give you details and experiments that you will be able to perform with different lab supply products that are needed for many elementary school level chemistry courses.

pH Papers

pH papers test the levels of concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.  The numbers are measured using a pH scale.  This scale is used to measure how basic (alkalinity) or acidic a solution is.

An easy experiment is to give students basic liquids and have them guess whether they think the liquids would be acidic or basic.  Then have the students test the items with the pH papers.  Examples of liquids would be coffee, lemon juice, milk and water.

Microscopes

A microscope is a great tool to have to be able to look closer at objects or to see how things work on a cellular level.

A good experiment for elementary school students to use microscopes is using various things around the room and looking at them up close.  Have the students describe the texture and what the items look like.  Try having them zoom in on money, hair, salt, sugar and clothes fibers.

Durable Glass Beakers

Beakers are important for an elementary school chemistry lab because you will need these to hold various liquids for experiments.  Students will need to learn how to properly hold beakers depending on what kind of liquid is inside of the beaker.

A popular experiment to use a beaker for is creating a volcano with the beaker.  Have the students pour in the items to the beaker and watch it bubble up and explode!

You can also use these items to create musical beakers.  By filling the beakers with different amounts of liquid (optional, add a little food coloring to make it fun) and have the students tap on them to create different sounds.

Graduated Cylinders for Measuring Liquids

Graduated cylinders are used for measuring volumes of various liquids.  It is important that students are able to know how to use these and measure volumes inside of it.

Students can use these in many experiments but will need to know how to read the meniscus that will form at the top. 

A Flask

A flask is a special kind of science container that has a wide bottom and a smaller opening up top.

A common, but interesting, experiment for elementary students is using a flask to create exploding elephant toothpaste.  This is an easy way to demonstrate chemical reactions.

Hot Plate Stirrer

This is a benchtop laboratory tool that is used to mix different types of liquids and heat them evenly.

You can teach students how evaporation affects heating and cooling with this product and other experiments.

Test Tubes & Test Tube Rack

Test tubes and the test tube rack are a common element of a science lab.  These are used for many different experiments and can teach students how to transport small amounts of liquid.

Thermometer

Thermometers are used to measure temperatures of areas and liquids in a lab.  These are common elements in a science lab.

They can be used in many different experiments.  This is a great way to teach students about the differences in temperature in many different items.  You can even have students create their own thermometer and test it against a real one.

Tubing Pinch Clamp

Tubing pinch clamps help to shut off and clamp different types of tubing.  These are commonly used in many experiments, such as the Charles’ Law experiment above.

Glass Tubes

These tubes are used for storing, heating, mixing and cooling chemicals. They are another common element of many different experiments including teaching students how acids affect the rate of corrosion.

Rubber Stoppers

Rubber stoppers are used on top of laboratory glassware to create a liquid-tight seal.  These can be used with test tubes, jugs, flasks and other laboratory equipment.

These items can be used in a variety of different experiments, including some of the ones talked about above.

Distance Learning Science Education for Elementary Grades

Covid 19 has forced science teachers to look at new and innovative ways to educate students while being on a Zoom calls. Science learning kits are one of the best available solutions. The Science kits are designed with student in mind and contain everything a student needs to participate in a successful classroom laboratory in the comfort of their home. Bench-tested and written by in-house educational experts and teachers, Distance Learning kits contain everything you need for successful classroom experiments and demonstrations from elementary school to the university level. The kits include:

• Chemicals
• Lab supplies
• Teacher’s Manual and Student Guide

Personal Protective Equipment

Some important protective equipment you will need for students includes:

• Goggles
• Nitrile Gloves
• Lab Aprons

Teaching students safety in a lab setting is the most important part before beginning any experiments.  A good teaching experience is to give them a lab quiz and to have them set up for an experiment by putting on goggles, gloves and lab aprons before going to the lab area.

In conclusion, all of these items are important to have for an elementary school chemistry course.  These items are the basis for many experiments that will help to give students a hands-on approach to what they are learning about in class.

Lab Pro offers a large variety of laboratory supplies for science classes. For over 40 years, Lab Pro Inc. has been committed to delivering the highest quality chemicals, lab equipment, distance learning kits, lab supplies, and cleanroom PPE apparel to medical device companies and laboratories worldwide. To learn more, visit the biggest Lab Supply showroom in California, or contact us online or at 888-452-2776.