Introducing children to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at an early age is a fantastic way to prepare them for the future. In today’s fast-changing, tech-focused world, essential skills like creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking are key to success. Set your kids up for the future by sparking a love for STEM at home through fun, hands-on activities and experiments.
Why Does It Matter?
STEM education goes beyond the traditional classroom curriculum, offering a practical, hands-on approach to understanding how things work. Kids can grasp important concepts related to both nature and modern technology. Here are some cool experiments you can try together:
Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano
This classic experiment is a fun way to introduce kids to chemical reactions. All you need is baking soda, vinegar, food colouring (optional), and a mixing container. Let your child mix the baking soda and food colouring in the container, then add vinegar and watch the “volcano” erupt! You can even explain how acids (vinegar) react with bases (baking soda) to create the exciting eruption.
Floating Egg Experiment
Teach your kids about density with this simple experiment. Fill two glasses with water, but stir salt into one of them. Carefully place an egg in each glass. The egg in the salty water will float, while the one in regular water sinks. This demonstrates how increasing water’s density with salt helps objects float. You can even try floating other items from your pantry!
DIY Rainbow in a Jar
This experiment can get a little messy but is a lot of fun. Start with honey, followed by dish soap, coloured water, vegetable oil, and finally rubbing alcohol. If layered carefully, the liquids won’t mix, creating a colourful rainbow effect. Explain to your kids how different liquids have different densities and why they don’t mix.
These simple activities are a great starting point to instill a sense of wonder in your kids about the world around them, using everyday objects!
