Primary School Science Club

[yoyo]

I would be interested in starting one of these at DDs' school. I was thinking of something along the lines of easy experiments with "themes", eg acids and alkalis (pH values, indicators), chromatography, crystals, rusting, etc.
Has anyone done something similar or can someone suggest simple experiments that require basic equipment that would interest primary school children?
It doesn't have to link with the curriculum but needs to be fun!

[roisin]

Sounds great. What age children?

[swedishmum]

scienceathome.cienciaviva.pt/index.html has some fun stuff my children enjoy.
Sorry, never tried to do a link. Will go and look up how to do it as I have a couple more websites written down somewhere.

[swedishmum]

You could also have a look at this

[swedishmum]

Also a few fun experiments on this

[yoyo]

Having awful day so will check out links later - thanks for putting them on swedishmum.

Roisin - not sure whether to target a year group or to rotate it so that say Yr6 do one week, then Yr5, then Yr4. Also don't know what the interest will be in such a club.

Lots of tears from a very tired DS so will try and post later. Thanks.

[roisin]

Sorry you're having an awful day.

How long will you have them for?

I think I would be tempted to do half a term for yr 6, then half a term for yr5, etc. Lots of experiments need a week or so to 'work' (crystal growing, various freezing stuff, dyeing plants, etc.) ... but if the gap were 2 or 3 weeks the children might have forgotten all about it; or the flowers have died or whatever?!

DS1's teacher does a science club for top juniors, but I've no idea what they do!

[tamum]

Some of my colleagues run a session at the science festival every year for over-8s making DNA, I think from peas. It takes about an hour, if that. I could ask them for the protocols if you like? Hope your day improves.

[happymerryberries]

have a great method that uses wheat germ that extracts masses of the stuff. Just uses was water and alcohol with some washing up liquid! I tried it out at home first

go to

gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/activities/wheatgerm/

[swedishmum]

Wd agree with Roisin about half term rotations. Much more likely to keep momentum and interest going. Particularly if after school makes pick ups for parents easier too, as well as remembering to send in anything

[binkie]

Fantastic idea. Now, this mayn't be quite where you're at, but the "Mad Scientist" outfit (I know it's a stupid & stereotyping name, but there you go) started up a club at ds & dd's school & has been swamped - they had to set up further sessions within a week, the demand was such. They've got the themes, the experiments, the bits-to-take-home all down to a tee. It is the cleverest franchise I've seen in years, & I think if I were you & thinking about science clubs generally I'd have a look at whether I wanted to go that way - sort of business opportunity too.

Ds adores it, by the way - this is a genuine endorsement!

[yoyo]

Thanks for all this. Had a very quick look at the links and they do look very interesting (children in bed at last but my brain is too frazzled for much and I've got some proofing to do yet).
I'm still at the very early stage of planning but know that I want to use my chemistry in some way and involve the school children. I don't think science is well-catered for in our school. I need to come up with solid ideas in a proposal to the Head which means thinking about the materials and time involved. Also need to figure out the best room too. So many things to think about.. What ratio of adults to children would I need?

I think the term for each Yr group is a great idea by the way.