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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Capillary Action in Plants - Science Experiment Booklet
Observe and record learning about the Capillary Action of Plants with a printable science experiment guidebook.
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Creating Oxygen - Experiment
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on plant experiment.
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Making a Mini Water Cycle - Experiment
A hands-on experiment to use when investigating the water cycle.
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Forms of Energy – Year 4 Science Experiments for Kids
Investigate mechanical, electrical, light, thermal and sound energy with this set of science activities for kids.
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Oil Spill Science Experiment
Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on science lab!
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Conversation Heart Lollies Science Experiment Workbook
Investigate chemical reactions with this hands-on Valentine’s Day experiment booklet.
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States of Matter Experiment Worksheet
An experiment mixing a solid with a liquid to create a gas.
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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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Predict and Prove – Template
A template to help introduce making a hypothesis before starting an investigation.
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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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Experiment Vocabulary Match-Up Activity
A set of 9 experiment terminology cards for students to match to their definition.
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Experiment Design Sequencing Activity
A worksheet to develop students’ understanding of experiment design.
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Experiment Design Sequencing Activity – Basic
A worksheet to develop younger students’ understanding of experiment design.
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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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Science Experiment - Cover to Conserve
A science experiment that investigates if evaporation can be reduced by covering a body of water.
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Science Experiment - Solid Wood vs Laminate
A science experiment which investigates the strengths of solid wood and laminate.
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Adjectives All Around - Outdoor Observation Activity
Engaging activities where students observe and describe their outdoors environment.
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Science Experiment - Suck It Up!
A science experiment which investigates the absorptive properties of various materials.
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Light and Shadow - Design an Experiment Worksheet
A worksheet that explores light and shadow and the principles of a fair test.
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Make an Eggshell Disappear - Science Experiment Booklet
A fun science experiment involving chemistry.
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Science Experiment - Shine Bright, Electric Light!
A science experiment that investigates how changes to electrical circuits affects their components.
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Rainbow Water Density Tower - Science Experiment Booklet
A fun science experiment about density and physics.
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Now I Understand PowerPoint - Building a Solid Conclusion for an Experiment
An educational teaching presentation introducing the students to the R.E.R.U.N. method for writing a scientific conclusion.
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R.E.R.U.N. - Writing a Scientific Conclusion Fact Sheet
An educational fact sheet introducing the students to the R.E.R.U.N. method for writing a scientific conclusion.
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Science Experiment - Angles of Reflection
A science experiment that explores reflected light.
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Scientific Method Word Wall Vocabulary
Thirty-nine scientific method vocabulary cards for a word wall.
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Science Experiment - True Colours
A science experiment that explores the perception of colour.
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Salt Water Density Experiment
A hands-on science experiment about salt water density.
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Initiating a Scientific Investigation Worksheet
A worksheet to help the students begin the process of a scientific investigation.
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Design a Fair Test Worksheet - Upper Years
A worksheet to use when developing the concept of a fair test.
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Design a Fair Test Worksheet - Middle Years
A worksheet to use when developing the concept of a fair test.
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Comprehension - Science Experiment
A fun script and set of questions to help students develop reading and comprehension strategies.