Science Experiments Teaching Resources
Unlock science experiments for kids and a love of experimentation in your classroom with ready-made experiments created for your primary students by science teachers just like you!
This extensive collection of Australian science curriculum-aligned experiments was created to save you time on your lesson plans and help you help your students learn to discover brand-new knowledge about the workings of the world around us!
New to teaching students to conduct experiments or just looking for some handy tips? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a way to explain what an experiment is, plus some handy terminology!
What Is a Science Experiment? A Kid-Friendly Definition
If it's your first time introducing experiments, a definition may come in handy. Here's how we explain the meaning of this concept to students:
A science experiment is a way to test a hypothesis or investigate a question in a systematic and controlled manner. Experiments allow us to ask questions, form hypotheses and discover new information.
What Is a Fair Test?
In order to set the stage for successful experimentation, students need to understand how to set up fair tests — also known as controlled experiments.
A fair test is an experiment in which all variables — except for the independent variable — are kept constant and controlled. The goal of conducting a fair test is to ensure that any observed changes or outcomes can be confidently attributed to the independent variable being tested.
Here's what students should know about fair tests:
- Controlling variables means keeping them the same or at the same level across all groups or conditions in the experiment.
- Without controlling variables in a fair test, it becomes difficult to determine the true cause-and-effect relationship between the independent variable and the observed changes.
- A fair test should be an experiment that can be replicated. That means that other scientists should be able to repeat the experiment and achieve similar results by following the same procedures and controlling the same variables.
Creating a rain cloud in a jar is a fun science experiment for kids that allows students to see the actions of water vapour and condensation in action in the classroom.
What Is an Independent Variable in a Science Experiment?
You know that your students will need an independent variable to ensure the success of their science experiments, but do you need a handy definition to explain what these are? We've got you covered!
Here's how to explain these core components of any good experiment to your young scientists:
An independent variable is a factor in an experiment that a scientist deliberately changes or manipulates to test their hypothesis. Changing the independent variable can help you determine if it has an impact on the outcome or on the dependent variable — which should not be changed or manipulated.
As noted earlier, in order to have a true fair test, students need to control or keep constant all other variables except for the independent variable.
Independent Variable Example
For example, let's say a student wanted to run an experiment to determine if plants grow better in conditions where classical music is played than in conditions where there's no sound or rock music is played.
In this type of experiment, the sound introduced to the plant would be the independent variable. It would change, while other variables — such as the amount of sunlight and water the plant received — must remain the same.
What Is a Control in an Experiment?
The independent variable will change in a student's experiment, but the control will do the exact opposite!
The control in a science experiment refers to any variables or conditions kept constant or unchanged throughout the experiment. It's just as important to the fair test that these stay constant as it is that the independent variable is changed.
Control Example
For example, in the plant and sound experiment described above, the amount of water and sunlight would be controls as neither would change.
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Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable
Make outdoor play a learning opportunity with exciting nature treasure hunts..
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Growing Bean Plant Seeds — Greenhouse Template
Start growing bean plant seeds to observe plant life cycles with a printable greenhouse template and observation journal.
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Changing Matter Experiment – How Long Will It Take to Melt?
Explore how solids change into liquids with an exciting hands-on Matter science experiment.
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Friction Experiment – Sticky Friction
Use this engaging friction experiment when teaching your students about sliding friction and the effect it has on the movement of objects.
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Energy Experiments for Kids
Investigate mechanical, electrical, light, thermal and sound energy with this set of energy experiments for kids.
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Making an Ice Cream Spider – Matter Experiment
Have fun making ice cream spiders in this exciting Changing States of Matter Science Experiment for Kids.
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Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment
Use this science experiment when learning about the different types and features of clouds and how they contribute to the water cycle.
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Matter Experiment – Will All Liquids Freeze?
Investigates whether all liquids will change states when heat is removed with an engaging Matter Experiment.
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Buoyancy Experiment – Sink or Swim
Use this practical float or sink science experiment when teaching your students about why some objects float in water while others sink.
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Force and Motion Experiment – Throwing, Dropping, Bouncing, Rolling
Use this hands-on force and motion experiment when teaching your students about how forces influence the movement of objects.
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Science Experiment - Lights Line Up!
A science experiment which explores light.
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Science Experiment Recording Sheet
A recording sheet to use when completing a Science experiment.
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Making Butter in a Jar – States of Matter Lab Activity
Have fun making butter in a jar in this exciting Changing States of Matter Lab Activity.
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Heat Insulators Experiment (Keeping Out the Heat)
Investigate heat insulators with your students using this engaging Heat Insulator experiment.
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Scientific Prediction & Observation Templates
Introduce your early learners to scientific inquiry skills with a set of printable Scientific Observation templates.
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Fair Testing in Science - Differentiated Experimental Design Worksheets
Use a differentiated experimental design worksheet to introduce your students to the concept of fair testing in science.
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Matter States and Changes Science Lab Activity Pack
Discover the states and changes of matter with a printable pack of Science Lab Activities for Kids!
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Environmental Impact Science Experiments
Use these simple science experiments to teach your students about environmental issues such as oil and water pollution, soil quality and climate change.
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Cup and String Phone - Science Sound Investigation
Build and test a cup and string phone to investigate the transmission of sound waves through different media.
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Seeking Sound Waves Experiment
Immerse your students in the study of sound and how it travels with our Seeking Sound Waves Experiment.
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Science Investigation Worksheets - Experiment Data Collection Templates
Record scientific observations and results with a variety of ready-made science investigation worksheets.
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Mixtures and Solutions Investigation Station Cards
Determine if a combination of ingredients makes a mixture or solution during your science centers with this set of station cards.
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Water Retention in Soil Experiment
Explore the water retention capabilities of sand, silt, loam and clay with this soil experiment for kids.
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Plant Growth Chart Worksheet
Record the growth and changes in a plant over time with one of our differentiated plant growth charts.
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Balloon Car Experiment – Speed Racer
Use this hands-on balloon car experiment when teaching your Year 4 students about thrust force and its effect on the speed of objects.
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Air Resistance Force Experiment (Parachutes)
Use this engaging air resistance force experiment when teaching your students about air friction and the effect it has on the effectiveness of a parachute.
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Five Senses Science Stations
Show your students the power of their five senses with a pack of printable 5 Senses Science Stations!
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Science Experiment - Will It Change?
A science investigation in which the students observe changes that occur to various objects over time.
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Observing Photosynthesis Experiment (F-2)
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on photosynthesis experiment.
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Scientific Investigation Process – Posters
Remind your students of the steps to the scientific investigation process with this set of 7 scientific method posters.
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Science Experiment - How Does Soil Affect Seed Growth?
Explore the effect of soil type on growth and change of a seedling with a hands-on science experiment.
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Heat Conductors Science Experiment (Feel the Heat)
Investigate heat conductors with your students using this engaging Conducting Heat experiment.