science assignments for high school

30 Best Science Experiments & Projects for High School

Welcome to our round-up of top science fair projects and science experiments tailored specifically for curious high school students.

Science fair is not just about the glitz and glamour of a first-place trophy; it’s about the passion, the inquiry, and the insatiable curiosity that drive every scientist, young and old. Hopefully, our curated list of the best hands-on science fair projects for high school students will ignite that curiosity in you.

Each project on this list offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into scientific inquiry and present findings with both clarity and flair.

Let’s dive in and make learning an unforgettable adventure!

1. Burn Calories

Don’t miss this opportunity to unravel the mysteries of energy transformation and uncover the scientific secrets hidden in the simplest of substances!

Learn more: Science Buddies

2. Extracting DNA from Strawberry

By following a series of simple yet insightful steps, students will witness the magical moment of DNA extraction, fostering a deeper appreciation for the fundamental building blocks of life.

Learn more: Extracting DNA from Strawberry

3. Build a Simple DIY Newton’s Cradle

As students assemble the materials and witness the rhythmic dance of swinging spheres, they will witness the scientific principles they’ve learned in the classroom come to life before their eyes.

4. Make a Monster Dry Ice Bubbles

Unleash your inner mad scientist and learn how to make Monster Dry Ice Bubbles with this high school science experiment!

Get ready to be captivated as you create giant, spooky bubbles that dance and swirl with the mysterious power of dry ice.

Learn more: Wonder How To

5. Soil Erosion Experiment

As stewards of our environment, it’s crucial to comprehend the impact of natural processes like soil erosion.

Through this experiment, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the significance of soil conservation and sustainable land management practices.

Learn more: Life is a Garden

6. Candle Carousel

This experiment combines the wonders of physics with the art of crafting, making it an enriching experience that ignites curiosity and fosters a deeper appreciation for the elegant dance of energy in our world.

7. Find Out if Water Conducts Electricity

In this captivating activity, students will explore the conductive properties of water and unlock the secrets of how electrical currents flow through different substances.

Learn more: Rookie Parenting

8. Roller Coaster Stem Experiment

By experimenting with various designs and track configurations, students will refine their problem-solving skills and gain valuable insights into the practical applications of physics and engineering.

Learn more: STEM Project

9. Lemon Battery

Engaging in this experiment not only teaches the basics of electrical circuits but also sparks curiosity about the natural world and the science behind it.

Learn more: Coffee Cups and Crayons

10. Watering Plants Using Different Liquids

Discover the wonders of plant hydration with the intriguing high school science experiment – “Watering Plants Using Different Liquids.” In this captivating project, students explore how various liquids impact plant growth and health.

Learn more: Lemon Lime Adventures

11. Measure Electrolytes Found in Sports Drinks

By conducting a series of tests and analyses, students will quantify the electrolyte content present in various sports drinks.

12. Relight the Flame Without Directly Touching It

This captivating project challenges students to learn about the intriguing properties of heat transfer and combustion.

By exploring different methods to reignite a candle flame without physical contact, students will uncover the secrets of heat conduction, convection, and radiation.

Learn more: Stevespangler

13. Conduct Fingerprint Analysis

This captivating project immerses students in the intriguing world of crime scene investigations, where they will uncover the uniqueness of fingerprints and their role in forensic science.

14. Separate Water Into Hydrogen And Oxygen Using Electrolysis

This electrifying project allows students to explore electrolysis and the decomposition of water into its elemental components.

Learn more: Navigating by Joy

15. Simple Color Detection Circuit 

This experiment not only introduces fundamental concepts in electronics and circuitry but also opens up endless possibilities for real-life applications, from automated sorting systems to color-sensitive devices.

16. Carbon Sugar Snake

This enchanting project allows students to witness a dazzling display of science as they combine common household ingredients to create a dark, coiling “snake” made of carbon.

Learn more: Kiwi Co

17. Build a Hydraulic Elevator

This captivating project invites students to learn about engineering and fluid mechanics. By constructing a working model of a hydraulic elevator, students will explore the principles of Pascal’s law and the fascinating concept of fluid pressure.

Learn more: Teach Beside Me

18. Brew up Some Root Beer

This enticing project invites students to explore the fascinating world of chemistry and fermentation while creating their own delicious and bubbly concoction.

Learn more: Home School Creations

19. Extracting Bismuth From Pepto-Bismol Tablets

This hands-on experiment not only sheds light on the principles of chemistry and lab techniques but also highlights the real-world applications of bismuth in medicine and various industries.

Learn more: Popscie

20. Solar-Powered Water Desalination

By designing and building a solar-powered water desalination system, students will learn how to harness the sun’s energy to purify saltwater and make it safe for consumption.

21. Applying Hooke’s Law: Make Your Own Spring Scale

By designing and constructing their very own spring scale, students will uncover the principles of Hooke’s Law and the relationship between force and displacement in a spring system.

22. Homemade Hand Warmer

By creating their own hand warmers using safe and easily accessible materials, students will witness the magic of heat generation through chemical processes.

Learn more: Steve Spangler

23. Explore the Concept of Symbiosis Involving Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria.

By investigating how certain plants form a mutually beneficial bond with these bacteria, students will gain insights into the essential role of nitrogen fixation in the ecosystem.

Learn more: Education.com

24. Center of Gravity Experiment

This fascinating project invites students to explore the concept of the center of gravity and its role in determining stability.

25. Power up Homemade Batteries

This captivating project invites students to learn about electrochemistry and energy generation.

Learn more: 123 Homeschool

26. Film Canister Explosions

Prepare for a blast of excitement and chemistry with the high school science experiment – “Film Canister Explosions!” This project teaches students about chemical reactions and pressure build-up.

27. Investigating Osmosis with Potato Slices

This hands-on experiment not only provides a practical understanding of osmosis but also highlights its relevance in everyday life, from understanding plant hydration to food preservation techniques.

28. Make Homemade Fly Trap

This captivating “Make Homemade Fly Trap!” project invites students to explore the principles of pest control and observe the behavior of flies.

29. Hydroponics: Gardening Without Soil

This exciting project invites students to explore innovative agricultural practices that harness water and nutrient solutions to grow plants.

By setting up their hydroponic system and nurturing plants through this method, students will witness the fascinating dynamics of root development and nutrient absorption.

30. Clothespin Airplane

As they test and modify their creations, students will learn about the principles of lift, thrust, and drag, gaining a deeper understanding of how these forces come together to keep airplanes soaring through the skies.

Learn more: Steamsational

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18 Must-Try Science Experiments for High School: From Basic Chemistry to Complex Reactions

Learners of all ages are enamored with scientific experiments:

P5 have been looking at changes of state in science, and today investigated the water cycle! We did an experiment with water & food colouring in a plastic bag to see if we could see any changes, and noticed signs of evaporation and condensation inside the bag @SLC_RAiSE #Science pic.twitter.com/cla3opitiT — Burgh Primary School (@BurghPrimary) October 25, 2023

This article will equip high school teachers with an arsenal of exciting science experiments that will keep their students engaged and learning. Offering projects across a variety of disciplines, from physics to biology, this carefully curated list will be suitable for learners at any level. By incorporating these experiments into their lesson plans, educators will be providing their students with valuable hands-on experience that complements their textbook knowledge. With easy-to-follow instructions and materials that are easily accessible, teaching science has never been more enjoyable!

Experiment 1: Investigating Osmosis with Potato Slices

This accompanying video offers a visual guide on how this osmosis project is conducted using potatoes. By the end, students will have a vivid understanding of osmotic movement and its effects.

Experiment 2: Making a Homemade Volcano

High school students have a wonderful opportunity to step into the shoes of a scientist with this exciting and educational experiment. They can construct their very own volcanic eruption, right from the safety of their classroom or home! By synergizing baking soda with vinegar, students will get a firsthand view of a thrilling chemical reaction that mimics the grandeur of a volcanic eruption. Beyond the sheer fun and spectacle, this experiment serves as an enlightening experience, imparting deeper insights into the complex world of chemical reactions.

Experiment 3: Exploring Density with Oil and Water

In this video, you will learn about the concept of density and how it affects the behavior of liquids. You will see how oil and water don’t mix and form layers, and learn about the science behind it.

Experiment 4: Building a Simple Electric Motor

High school students possess an innate curiosity, constantly seeking to understand the world around them. Dive deep into the captivating realm of electromagnetism with this enlightening project, revealing the intricate process that enables an electric motor to effortlessly transform electrical impulses into tangible mechanical movements. As students embark on this hands-on journey, they’ll gain an intimate appreciation for the underlying principles that power much of today’s technology.

Experience the mesmerizing magnificence of an electric motor as this video unravels the mystery behind its seamless conversion of electrical energy into mechanical power. Unlock the inner workings of this wonder machine in the science projects for high school.

Experiment 5: Testing Acids and Bases with Red Cabbage

Experiment 6: observing microorganisms with a microscope.

For high school students eager to uncover the hidden mysteries of our universe, the microscopic world offers endless wonder. This microbiology project opens the door to an otherwise invisible realm teeming with life, from intricate bacteria structures to mesmerizing protozoa and vibrant algae. Not only will you be observing these microorganisms, but you’ll also gain invaluable hands-on experience, mastering the art of slide preparation, microscope focusing, and the discernment of various microorganisms.

Experiment 7: Studying Chemical Reactions with Alka-Seltzer Experiment

Experiment 8: measuring the speed of light with a microwave oven, experiment 9: demonstrating newton’s third law of motion with balloons, experiment 10: observing the greenhouse effect with sunlight and jars, experiment 11: investigating chromatography with markers, experiment 12: creating a simple electromagnet, experiment 13: examining photosynthesis with leaf disks, experiment 14: extracting dna from strawberries.

Explore genetics through a DNA extraction experiment using strawberries. High school students will observe and extract DNA using household materials. By following steps, they’ll witness the tangible genetic code in cells. This experiment offers insights into DNA, genetics, and cellular biology fundamentals.

Experiment 15: Building a Mini Tesla Coil

Additional 3 fun science experiments for high school, experiment 16: making invisible ink with lemon juice, experiment 17: creating rainbow fire with salt, experiment 18: exploring bioluminescence with glowing bacteria, useful science experiments resources, leave a comment cancel reply.

Science for Everyone

Science education, teaching resources, scientific literacy, and more!

• Feb 27, 2023
• 37 min read

100+ labs, activities, and science experiments for middle and high school students

Updated: Sep 12, 2023

Looking for fun and engaging lab ideas for use in your science class? You've come to the right place. Here's my list of practical activities and experiments you can try with your students, all in one place.

Introduction

I've been teaching MYP science (grades 6-10) internationally for over a decade. I try to devote about a third of my class time to experimental activities, which means we do a lot of labs. I'm also the only lab technician at my current school, so I'm responsible for set-up and cleanup as well. Needless to say, I've accumulated quite a bit of experience in the lab and can confidently recommend all of the following experiments. I have personally tried all of them with my students and in most cases have been conducting them for years.

Where can I get these labs?

Although I have provided links to just about every activity on my list, some are much better than others. You will often need to adjust them significantly for your classroom depending on the classes and number of students you teach, as well as the materials you have access to. Additionally, free lab guides usually do not include much in the way of background info, student questions or handouts, and teacher prep notes. For these reasons, I've created my own resources for most of the labs I do, which I'm currently in the process of uploading to my TPT store . You can access my complete experimental resource collection here . I'm adding new experiments regularly, but early purchasers will have access to all future activities at no additional cost! As you can see from the list below, I have quite a few more to add! Links to my individual lab activities have also been provided in the relevant sections.

The following list of experiments is organized by grade and unit. Click on the links below to jump to the section you need.

Scientific Method

Chemical and physical changes, characteristics of living things, earth and space science, objects in motion, atoms and elements, inheritance, earth systems and cycles, energy, work, and power, human impacts on the environment, electromagnetism, communication, body systems, organization of life, chemical reactions and bonding, forces and structures, pure substances and mixtures, health and disease, electricity, environmental chemistry, space exploration, organic chemistry, genetics and reproduction, radiation and radioactivity.

You can also access unit plan outlines for each of the above units in my store .

List of Experiments

1. Memory experiments - How many random words or objects can students memorize? Will students be able to identify a missing object (or classmate)? How reliable is eyewitness testimony? These are excellent activities for getting students to practice basic experimental design, as well as practical skills like collecting and analyzing data. As a bonus, many of these experiments require virtually no prep for you!

2. Accuracy and precision experiment - For this activity, all you need is a target and something that will stick to it. I've used a dart board, NERF guns with suction cup darts, or just a target drawn on the whiteboard with magnetic disks to throw at it. You could even make a target on the ground outside and have your students toss beanbags at it. Anything will do! Students take turns hurling things at the targets and recording the distance to the middle. Then they analyze the results in terms of accuracy (average distance to the center) and precision (range, standard deviation, and the number of decimal places).

3. Baking science experiment - I've long been a fan of incorporating food science into science class. What better way to get kids excited about chemistry while also learning a useful life skill? I've done many versions of this activity, but it always involves baking something, like cookies or cakes, by modifying a recipe to learn about variables. There are also many opportunities here for unit conversion practice.

4. Fire triangle oxygen experiment - For younger students who may not have had access to open flames before, this is a good place to start for developing safe handling practices. Students use candles and various glass containers to measure how long a flame will burn in a limited oxygen environment. You might as well demonstrate the rising water trick too since you're using all the same materials.

5. Bunsen burner temperature experiment - Students learn how the Bunsen burner works and attempt to find out what part of the flame is hottest. You'll need a temperature probe rated for high temperatures in order to get accurate data for this lab. Alternatively, you can just use a thin steel rod or a nail by holding it in different parts of the flame and recording any colour changes. Try comparing the orange and blue flames, as well as the top, bottom, middle, and sides of the flame. Almost all students fail to predict where the hottest region will be!

6. Fire extinguisher safety activity - You'll need to get some safety approvals for this one, but I think it's worth it. Who knows when you might have a real emergency to deal with? Go outside and start a simple fire in a safe place like a metal tray. Then use one of the school fire extinguishers to put it out. Have a few students try it, too. Discuss the locations of fire extinguishers, different types of fires, exit strategies, and so on. You may even want to coordinate with the local fire department and see if they can send someone to talk to the students about fire safety.

7. Lab equipment identification quiz - Another one for younger students who are just beginning to do lab work. Collect one piece of glassware or lab equipment for each student in your class (with a few extra, just in case). Put one on each desk before your students arrive. As students come in, give them a blank piece of paper and have them write down the name of the equipment in front of them. Then rotate to the next seat and repeat. Set a timer for ~30 seconds to keep things moving. You may also want to get students to draw the equipment as well, in which case they would need a bit of extra time. This works best as a review activity, but it can also be used as a chance to see what students already know.

8. Oobleck states of matter activity - After students have learned about solids, liquids, and gases, whip up a batch of oobleck (cornstarch + water) and have them explore its properties. Is it a solid, a liquid, or a bit of both? Have your students consider the particle interactions going on in this unusual fluid. A bit of research may be required on their part.

9. Salt or sugar crystal lab - Students dissolve and then evaporate a very small volume of concentrated salt or sugar solution to produce crystals. I prefer salt since it is less of a sticky mess, but you can do one or both. Check out the crystals under the microscope and compare them to mineral crystals if you have some to observe. You can also use this lab as a chance to explore saturation and give a really cool supersaturation demo using sodium acetate. Just Google 'hot ice'!

10. Separating salt and sand mixtures experiment - Give students a sample containing salt, sand, and (optionally) iron filings. Then tell them to figure out how to separate each substance. This will involve a combination of magnetism, dissolving, filtration, evaporation, and so on. There is more than one way to accomplish this task, which is what makes it interesting. Add to the challenge by having students compare the mass of their sample to the total mass of each separated substance (you'll need to allow time for proper drying) to see who managed to preserve the most material. Discuss industrial and everyday applications of these separation techniques.

11. Diffusion of potassium permanganate - Another classic chemistry experiment that involves the movement of purple crystals as they dissolve in water. You can have students record the time it takes to produce a uniform solution and then compare this at different water temperatures or volumes. It's also useful to get your students to take photos, or better yet, videos of the process to compare.

12. Dissolving cocoa experiment - Students try to find the best way to dissolve a specific quantity of cocoa in order to make hot chocolate effectively. This is great for winter or during the holiday season, but as far as I'm concerned there's never a bad time for hot chocolate. Make this as open-ended as you can, but have students write down their reasoning and the method used. Is it better to use milk or water? Should you add the liquid first or the powder first? How does the temperature affect how easily the cocoa dissolves? Obviously, you wouldn't want to use typical chemistry glassware for this one, so plan ahead if you want to allow your students to drink their creations.

13. Pond organisms microscope lab - Visit a local ecosystem and collect some water. It's better to get the 'chunky stuff' including mud, water plants, pond scum, and other organic material. Bring it back to the lab and have your students look for microorganisms under the microscope. With luck, you will be able to identify water fleas, vorticella, euglena, and other organisms in your samples. If you do this in the spring or summer, various insect larvae will likely be present as well.

14. Specialized cells microscope lab - Sure, you can easily find prepared slides of specialized cells, but it's much more interesting for your students if they create their own. Collecting cheek cells is simple, and I think students get a kick out of seeing their own cells for the first time. Root hair cells and leaf cells are easy to locate as well, although the species you choose makes a huge difference. Try a few and see what works best.

15. Energy in food (calorimetry) experiment - I've found this lab to be notoriously difficult unless you have very good equipment, but it has the potential to produce lots of interesting results and is endlessly customizable for your students. The flexibility alone makes it worthwhile to try, even if the results don't end up being as useful as you'd hoped. Burning sugary or oily foods works best. Try potato chips or marshmallows.

16. Comparing fuels experiment - In this lab activity, students burn equal quantities of various fuels to determine which makes the best fuel. Alcohols including methanol, ethanol, and propanol should be easy enough to obtain. The experiment itself is pretty straightforward, but there are a lot of factors to consider. Which fuel burns the hottest? Which burns the longest? Which is the cheapest or easiest to obtain? What about other factors, such as the smell? There's a lot for students to explore here.

17. Design a solar oven - This is an excellent project for students to tackle that requires only a few simple craft and household supplies. As a summative assessment, students can make use of their physics knowledge to conduct, reflect, insulate, and ultimately cook simple foods. I prefer not to tell them the exact method so that they can find out what works and what doesn't. We like to make s'mores and cheese toast - things that are still delicious even if they don't cook properly!

18. Thermal conductivity experiment - This lab has many variations, but most involve comparing the ability of different metals to transfer heat. If you can find wires of equal diameter and length made of copper, steel, etc. then it is pretty easy to compare the conductivity of these substances by putting one end in hot water and then measuring the temperature along its length using a digital thermometer. Alternatively, put the other end of the wire in cold water and measure the temperature after a given amount of time. The warmest liquid should indicate the best conductor.

19. Insulated drink experiment - This is a bit like the solar oven experiment, except that in this case, students are given a hot beverage and tasked with keeping it warm for as long as possible. Similar ideas and materials can be used, so it makes sense to do this as a follow-up experiment to that. Provide each group with a cup of boiled water and identical materials in order to make it a fair comparison. Then pop a thermometer in and see who has the warmest drink by the end of class.

20. Mark-recapture simulation - This mathematical exercise involves students estimating a population's size by 'marking' and 'capturing' beans or other small objects from a container. Various sample sizes are used to show how accuracy improves with the number of marked and captured individuals. Then discuss how accurate mark-recapture studies would be for different populations in the wild.

21. Quadrat study - Using square frames, students collect data on the plant or invertebrate species found in a local environment (the school playground will do!). They can use this information to estimate population sizes and species distribution, but it can also be used to identify possible community interactions, including competition, mutualism, commensalism, and predation.

22. Mesocosm experiment - Students set up small ecosystems in jars or soda bottles to observe nutrient cycling in action. If done well they can last for years. I've tried aquatic ecosystems with fish in the past, but for ethical reasons, we pretty much stick to plants and soil organisms only these days. I also like to keep it simple and do everything in large peanut butter jars. It can get pretty elaborate if you decide to make full eco-columns though.

23. Personal impact experiment - This is an open-ended investigation where students decide on a lifestyle change they will maintain for a few weeks in order to reduce their environmental impact. This could include things like reducing shower time, air drying their clothes, biking to school instead of getting a ride, and so on. They then attempt to estimate the impact they are making in terms of environmental and economic savings, both for the project duration and for a lifetime, if they were to keep it up indefinitely. Although most students quickly fall back into their regular routines, a few do recognize that small changes are manageable and decide to make compromises in the way they live.

24. Solar system scale model - This is a mathematical/visual investigation that shows kids the true scale of the solar system (it's mostly empty space!). We usually do this on two different scales - one that allows us to fit the solar system within the classroom, and another that requires us to go outside and cover some distance on the playground. Even at that scale, the largest planets are still only the size of a small ball and the Earth is minuscule.

25. Chocolate rock cycle - The rock cycle can be a bit dull and abstract considering the time scales and forces students are expected to imagine. Spice it up a little with the delicious addition of chocolate! Through mixing, grating, melting, hardening, and other processes, you can mimic most of the changes in the rock cycle and give students a clearer understanding of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock formation. Yum!

26. Rock and mineral identification with dichotomous keys - Once students have a grasp of the rock cycle, it's time to get them familiar with some of the more common rocks and minerals. This can be done outdoors with field guides and cameras, or inside with samples and a dichotomous key. Even with a key this can be pretty challenging and there is quite a bit of terminology to understand, but I still think it's worthwhile. Some kids get really into it!

27. Flashlight moon phases activity - With a couple of balls, a flashlight, and a darkened room, you can put small groups of students to work trying to simulate the movements of the Sun, Earth, and Moon as they orbit around each other. It is pretty funny watching kids trying to move everything correctly and position themselves to see the phases properly, but I think it gets the concepts across quite well. You can also simulate eclipses, and if you're feeling really ambitious, you can get Mars involved and demonstrate retrograde motion.

28. Human body systems of measurement activity - I use this exercise to teach students about units and what they are based on. In ancient times, a lot of measurement standards were based on the distances between or across body parts, including the hand, fingers, and arms. Most of the metric units in use today are based on much more complicated standards, but it can be surprising for students to realize that measuring devices can't really be made without standards of some kind.

29. Comparing ancient and modern maps - In the age of discovery (~1400-1600) a lot of early mapping was accomplished by Europeans. It wasn't all accurate, however, for a variety of reasons. This activity gives students a good crash course in cartography, which you might argue is more appropriate for geography and social studies, but it works well for this unit because it devotes a significant amount of time to understanding how we determine our location in space. Graphing using GPS coordinates is a significant part of this investigation.

30. GPS pathways activity - Since practically all of your students have access to an accurate GPS device of their own, this once-expensive activity is now easier than ever. You can use one of a handful of apps to track students as they walk various pathways around the schoolyard and elsewhere, which can then be analyzed and compared in terms of distance, time, acceleration, and changes in elevation. It can be particularly fun to compare the pathways students take to get to school. I couldn't find a good link for this activity, unfortunately.

31. Determining the acceleration of gravity using a pendulum - This lab always produces consistent results, provided students perform the calculations correctly. Since we use the acceleration of gravity so often in physics, I think it helps students to see that it can be determined with a relatively simple setup. Students will have only tiny pendulums to work with at their desks, but if you plan ahead, you can make a huge one that hangs from the ceiling to show that it works at larger scales, too.

32. Metals and non-metals identification - Depending on what materials you have available, this can be a really great introduction to the periodic table of elements. Chances are your lab already has a good selection of metals, as well as some non-metals like carbon and sulfur. Provide small samples of each material and allow students to rotate to different stations where they attempt to identify the materials using some simple techniques (like magnetism). You can do this entirely visually if you like, or give some obscure facts about each element to help them out.

33. Metal displacement reactions experiment - Students observe whether reactions occur between pure metals and various salt solutions in order to create a simple reactivity series. It's reasonable to test four or five metals in order to introduce the concept, but you'll need to explain that very reactive and unreactive metals are not realistic to test in school due to prohibitive costs and safety concerns. The reactivity series can then be used to discuss why certain metals are chosen for particular uses and why precious metals are so valuable and long-lasting.

34. pH indicator lab - There are many kinds of indicators that can be used to determine pH. Teach students about acids and alkalis, then give them a selection of common household substances like vinegar and soapy water to test with universal indicator. They can then use the results to create their own coloured pH scale in their notebooks and label each substance accordingly. If you want to go a little further, consider making your own indicator solution with purple cabbage!

35. Titration of NaOH with HCl - This classic chemistry experiment involves the neutralization reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. A small sample of NaOH containing the indicator phenolphthalein is given to each group (this is best done in pairs). Students slowly add acid to the pink alkali solution until it goes clear, at which point it should be neutral. If you have digital pH probes, get students to measure the changes throughout the experiment and plot them on a graph. You can also evaporate the resulting solution to show that salt (NaCl) crystals are formed in the process.

36. Fruit DNA extraction - In this simple lab activity, students use common household ingredients to isolate and observe the DNA found in fruits such as kiwis, bananas, and strawberries. The similarities should help illustrate the fact that DNA is a universal code common to all organisms. Although you can't see the molecular structure of the DNA in this exercise, it's still fun to have a look at your extracted nucleic acids under a microscope.

37. Life cycles investigation - There are a few ways to show students how various plants and animals complete their life cycles. For plants, beans grow quite quickly and the seeds are easy to collect and save. If you have some space and a bit more time, sunflowers are really fun to grow at school, too. Depending on the season, it may be possible to collect some tadpoles from a local pond and observe them as they grow and develop. Insect larvae and caterpillars are fun to watch as well, but a little less exciting until their final metamorphosis. You might even be able to contact a nearby chicken farm and get ahold of some fertilized eggs to incubate. Be sure to provide food and a decent living space for whatever creatures you investigate, of course, and have a plan for what to do with them after you are done observing them.

38. Phenotype investigation - Collect class data for a variety of common genetic traits and compare these to national or global averages. Blood type is ideal, but some students might not know theirs (everyone knows their blood type in Japan so this is an easy one for me!). Other possibilities include eye colour (here's a VERY detailed article on eye colour genetics ), dominant hand, hair colour, or earlobe shape. Avoid things like height, which might single out or embarrass some students. Also, don't do tongue rolling, because despite what you may have heard, the ability to roll your tongue is either mostly or entirely NOT determined by genes .

39. Determining the speed of sound experiment - This one requires some space, and by space, I mean distance. You'll want at least 200m with a clear line of sight for good results. Have a few students position themselves at 100m increments away from a group of observers (the rest of the class). These students will be equipped with some kind of noise-making device that can also serve as a visual cue. We use two blocks of wood clapped together above the head. The observers use a stopwatch to measure the time between when they see the blocks touch and when they hear the sound. This is then used to calculate the speed of sound. If you get really lucky on a stormy day, you can do a variation of this exercise using lightning (from indoors, of course). In that case, your students would be finding the distance of the lightning using an accepted speed of sound.

40. Create a pinhole camera - It's not really an experiment, but it's still a classic physics exercise and for good reason. Nothing more clearly illustrates the function of the eye and retina and the concept of light moving in straight lines than this ancient device. A small cardboard box or similar container forms the basis for the pinhole camera, along with a few other craft materials. Then look at a bright object like a lightbulb or candle to see the inverted image.

41. Hearing or colour sensitivity experiment - For this activity, students will use different videos or apps to determine how well they can differentiate between similar shades of a colour or hear high-pitched sounds. Have the whole class perform the tests and then analyze the results. Students love learning about themselves!

42. Reflection investigations - Using lasers and different types of mirrors, students observe the behaviour of light and construct ray diagrams. This is good practice for drawing clear and detailed diagrams. This can take a while, so it's probably best to split it into two lessons and keep plane and curved mirrors separate.

43. Playing a song with glasses of water - This is a pretty silly activity that I decided to do a few years ago, but there's some solid science behind it. Students can obviously make music on glasses of water without learning anything, so be sure to indicate (and possibly calculate) how and why the pitch changes with volume. Put on a concert at the end of class and get your cameras ready!

44. Water cycle simulation - With just a few simple materials you can easily show many of the processes involved in the water cycle. Get a fish tank and fill it with a small amount of water. Place some sand or a rock on one side to represent mountains. Cover the tank with a clear sheet of glass or plastic so you can still see what's going on. Put a tray of ice above the mountain to represent cold air in the upper atmosphere. Finally, place a heat lamp near the tank to represent the sun (you can also just use the actual sun!). A 'cloud' should form below the ice with lots of condensation which will drip down the mountains and back into the 'ocean'. If you want to speed up the process, try adding warm water to the tank.

45. Weather comparison investigation - Students look up weather information for a number of different cities and record things like temperature, wind speed, humidity, pressure, and so on for a week or two. Then they analyze the data and prepare a report or presentation on the similarities and differences between the chosen locations. They must use their knowledge of air and ocean currents, elevation, latitude, and other factors to explain any observed differences. This works best as a summative assessment comparing where you live to a selection of other cities chosen by the students themselves.

46. Plate tectonics simulation - I've tried several different materials to simulate the movements of tectonic plates, and each has its pros and cons. Slowly pushing crackers over a peanut butter or jam 'mantle' until they collide is pretty fun and shows some fault interactions reasonably well. I also like smashing layers of towels or paper into each other to show how mountains and unusual strata patterns can form. You can also try freezing the top few centimeters of a large container of water (just leave it outside if it's cold enough in winter!). Use a hammer to smash the surface and form a few 'plates'. Then move them across the surface to show plate movements and interactions. You can also use this to illustrate how the continents were once connected as a single land mass.

47. Human sense perception lab - This is one of my personal favourites. Students move around in pairs visiting a variety of stations that put their senses of hearing, touch, taste, sight, and smell to the test. In total students do 13 interactive sense activities that are easy to set up and fun to experience.

48. Plant tropism experiments - Use a fast-growing plant like beans to show how plants grow towards the light (phototropism) and away from gravity (gravitropism). Students can get a bit creative with this one by coming up with modifications to test. Some possibilities include growing a plant sideways or upside down, rotating a plant away from the sun every few days, or covering different parts of a growing shoot with various materials to see how phototropism is controlled.

49. Invertebrate stimuli and response experiments - Unlike mammals, invertebrates such as insects, worms, and snails exhibit mostly predictable responses to specific stimuli. Go outside and collect whatever tiny creatures you can from your local ecosystem. Then bring them back to the lab to test their responses to things like temperature gradients, moisture, light, sound, movement, and so on. Use this opportunity to discuss the ethical treatment of laboratory animals and make it clear that your students must do their best to avoid harming the creatures in their care. Release them where you found them after the experiments are done!

50. Human power experiment - Get your students running up flights of stairs to see how much power a human can generate! I like to kick off this activity by discussing horsepower and its origins as a unit of measurement. Inevitably students want to see how they compare to a horse (and each other), so this always gets competitive. Spoiler alert - your students can't beat a horse! To end the activity, we discuss situations in which a horse can be defeated by a human, focusing on an annual marathon that pits the two species against each other held in the UK. As it turns out, humans perform best when it's hot.

51. Impact crater experiment - This is good messy fun with applied physics! Students drop marbles into trays of flour from different heights and compare the diameter and depth of the impact craters. Use marbles with different masses and calculate the potential energy for each trial. This should equal the kinetic energy on impact. How does the kinetic energy affect crater size and depth? Graph it and find out!

52. Principle of moments lab - Students use a balance beam to solve problems and investigate the principle of moments. This is the idea that when two opposing turning forces act equally on either side of a pivot, they are balanced and no movement occurs. I like this activity because it can be completed in a number of ways, including trial and error, calculation, or a combination of both.

53. Gear ratios experiment - You'll need access to some specific equipment for this one. A bicycle should be easy enough to obtain (or borrow), but I use LEGO technic . Students build simple LEGO cars and switch out different gears to compare the force and speed produced. This takes a while and is definitely more complicated than just demonstrating with a stationary bicycle or similar setup, but it's far more hands-on. This is best for smaller classes or science clubs.

54. Pulley experiment - Here's another activity that requires you to have some materials on hand, although they can be easily purchased from a local hardware store for a reasonable price. Give students an object of known mass and a force meter. Then give them the pulley materials and set them to work on reducing the force needed to lift the mass by as much as possible. If they have already studied the theory behind pulleys, this should be doable, but the reality of setting up a working block and tackle is much more complicated than it seems if you've never done it before.

55. Greenhouse effect simulation - Using sealed jars or other containers, students modify atmospheric conditions to see how temperature is affected. There are many ways to conduct this experiment, so I recommend letting each group of students try something different. Start with a simple control (usually an empty container) and go from there. You can try adding different quantities of water, soil, or ice, or if you can get your hands on it, chunks of dry ice to increase the CO2 concentration.

56. Chemical tests for macromolecules - This is a well-documented set of biochemistry procedures for identifying starch, simple sugars, proteins, and fats in small samples of common foods. You only need a few reagents which should be readily available in most middle or high school science labs. The results involve various colour changes that are pretty fun to observe. Get your students to predict which foods will contain each macromolecule and then test their predictions to see if they are right.

57. Plant nutrient deficiencies investigation - Teach your students how to recognize signs of nutrient deficiencies in plants. These can be seen by examining leaf growth and colour. Then go outside and see if your students can find examples of nutrient-deficient plants around the school. Beware of plants that are naturally red/purple in colour, which could be mistaken for phosphorous deficiencies, and definitely don't try this in the fall for obvious reasons.

58. Digestion simulation - In this activity, students take a sample of food and put it through a series of processes in order to simulate the stages of digestion. This doesn't sound that fun, but it involves a lot of smashing, squishing, and messy fun. Crush the food inside a plastic bag, add some water and hydrochloric acid, filter it through a pair of socks or stocking 'intestines', and then compact the leftover chunks to make 'poop' (kids love it). Combine this activity with the chemical tests from experiment 56 above for a more in-depth analysis. I like using cornflakes or a similar cereal as the carbs are pretty easy to break down and there is enough iron for you to actually extract and see.

59. Digestive system dissection - If your students aren't too squeamish, consider dissecting something to view its digestive system. Whole fish are easy to obtain here in Japan so that's what I use. Rather than opting for a class set, if you splurge for a big one, you can cut open the stomach and examine the contents. I did this several times with carp in college and there was always lots to see. If you happen to know a hunter, you might be able to get something much larger. Enjoy!

60. Protease enzyme experiment - Some fruits, such as pineapples, naturally contain protein-digesting enzymes. If you attempt to make gelatin with a sufficient quantity of these fruits, it won't solidify. Try a bunch of different fruits and see which ones contain enzymes and which don't. Make sure you use fresh fruits as canned varieties can be unreliable. Then discuss enzyme activity and its importance in digestive processes.

61. Cell respiration experiment - Use germinating beans or yeast to indirectly measure the rate of cell respiration at different temperatures. You can accomplish this by placing these organisms inside a sealed system called a respirometer and measuring their CO2 production. It's a little complicated to set up for students, but you can prepare some of the materials ahead of time yourself. This experiment encourages accurate measurement techniques and can be used on invertebrates as well!

62. Magnetic field investigation - Put a magnet on a piece of paper and sprinkle with iron filings. Then draw the resulting magnetic field lines. Try different magnet shapes, or add multiple magnets in different arrangements to see how the magnetic field changes. If you have clear sheets of plexiglass or even just a blank laminated sheet you can put the magnets underneath and make cleanup MUCH easier.

63. Make a compass activity - Float a magnetized needle on water and watch it point north. Everyone has probably done this one at some point, but for younger students, this is still a tried and true way to observe the Earth's magnetic field. Apparently, you can also just suspend a bar magnet on a string and accomplish the same thing, but I've never tried that. Might be worth a go!

64. Fruit and vegetable battery experiment - Use a lemon or potato to generate electricity and power a simple device like a fan or light bulb. That's the basic version, anyway. You can make it more of an experiment by comparing how pH affects the voltage produced or by adjusting the distance between the electrodes. Obviously, you can also compare different fruits and vegetables to see which works the best. Some of them might surprise you (try a pumpkin!).

65. Series and parallel circuits investigation - Build different kinds of circuits and compare the voltage and current at different points. You'll need quite a few materials for a full class activity, including batteries, components, and a lot of wire, so consider doing this as part of a station activity if supplies are limited. You can also get kits that simplify and streamline the building process, but I like making students do it the hard way!

66. Electrical conductivity experiment - Compare the resistance of various materials using a multimeter. It's as simple as it sounds and generates really good data. The hardest part is finding similar materials for a fair test, as your wires need to be the same length and diameter if you are comparing different metals. One version of this activity involves using graphite from pencil drawings to compare conductivity. Simply draw two large dots on paper and connect them with a line. Then measure by placing your multimeter on the dots. Try making long or short lines, waves, or other shapes. Increase the thickness of your lines to see if that makes a difference.

67. Total internal reflection experiment - Shine a laser into a semi-circular transparent block at different angles until it reflects back rather than refracting through. You can use a small clear container or fish tank as well. Get students to use a protractor to find the critical angle, which can be calculated and compared for that substance as well. There are better ways to observe total internal reflection, including streaming water and the use of fiber optics, but those work better as demos.

68. Audio format sound quality experiment - Convert lossless quality music files to MP3s at different bit rates and see if your students can hear the differences in quality. You can do this with a free music editor such as Audacity . It's harder than you think, even with good headphones. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read the linked article about file formats and audio quality. Compare WAV files to 320 kbps VBR MP3s and 192 kbps CBR MP3s. Let your students choose their favourite songs if you like, or give them some music education by choosing yours!

69. Wi-fi signal strength experiment - See how different variables affect the signal strength of wi-fi signals, such as the distance, number of connected devices, or physical obstructions. Download a free signal strength app that measures in dBm to compare signals and collect data. Since this is a logarithmic scale you can take the opportunity to teach students about that, too. This is a super practical experiment that students find quite relevant to their needs.

70. Sheep/pig brain dissection - Another dissection, this time with a medium-sized brain. In order to get the most out of this lab, it's best to frontload a lot of the terminology and be sure students are familiar with the main brain regions and their functions. I like to get kids to follow along with a video dissection, pausing as needed, or just use a document camera to guide them through it yourself if you're confident to do so. One word of wisdom - don't freeze your brains prior to dissection. I do this with hearts and thought it would be fine, but nope! Brains turn to mush when you thaw them out.

71. Properties of bone experiment - Cook and soak bones in acid to remove the substances that give them strength. Chicken bones are the easiest to obtain, especially if you plan to have enough for a full class (there might be a wing night or two in your future!). You can combine this lab with a microscope investigation of bone tissue, or look at cross-sections of bones from avian and non-avian species (images are fine).

72. Antagonistic muscle groups activity - Construct a model of an antagonistic muscle group (the biceps/triceps arm pair is almost always used) and observe how the bones and muscles work during flexion and contraction. There are many different materials that can be used to make this work. It can be as simple as popsicle sticks and elastic bands, or more complicated models using wood or PVC to represent the bones and stretch cords or balloons for the muscles.

73. Observing body tissues microscope lab - Students look at a variety of human tissues under the microscope and attempt to identify them. It's not that hard to create mounts of different plant tissues, but animal tissues are a lot less practical. For these, I like to get a good set of prepared slides and have students do an ID quiz by rotating around the room. I'll usually give them a list of possible tissue types to choose from, but I don't always teach them what to look for ahead of time. The reasoning behind their choices is usually very good and worth writing down.

74. Microscope / biological drawings lab - In this lab, we revisit some properties of cells from earlier courses and refresh the students' memories on proper microscope use. In the process I have them create very detailed microscope drawings of protists - usually paramecium at 400x. The goal is to draw for accuracy and scale. I also need to regularly emphasize that students draw what they see, not what they expect to see.

75. Organs diagram activity - Students are given cutouts of human organs and have to place them in their correct positions on a blank torso. You can do this at the beginning or end of a topic (or both!), but either way, it's pretty hilarious to observe at times. After students are fairly confident with their choices, I have them label and annotate their diagrams explaining what each organ does. Finally, we look at the actual diagram and make corrections where necessary (I usually use a student exemplar from someone who knows what they're doing!). I've also done a whole class version of this exercise where I draw a life-sized torso on the whiteboard and have students take turns placing organs on it. There's a lot of communication from the 'audience' and it's always entertaining.

75. Dichotomous key activity - Students create a dichotomous key to differentiate and identify a selection of everyday objects. Sure, you could do this with images of actual species, in which case I would stick with a group of closely related organisms (turtles, sharks, cats, bears, etc.), however, I find that this is much more engaging when done with objects that have nothing to do with biology. Save yourself time and money by using whatever you have on hand, like candies, school supplies, or weird and random objects from your 'junk' drawer!

76. Flame test lab - Always a student favourite, this lab involves burning small quantities of metal salts to produce coloured flames. These can be used to identify specific metals. It is also the basis for the colours seen in fireworks. While that connection is easy to make, it's much harder for students to understand why each metal produces a different colour, but this is actually a good opportunity to introduce electron configurations. Let your students use their phones for this lab and they'll enjoy taking lots of cool photos and videos.

77. Properties of ionic and covalent compounds experiment - There are lots of ways to do this (and lots of compounds to test), but the simplest one I know of is to compare salt (sodium chloride), sugar (sucrose), and paraffin wax. Students can examine a number of properties, including melting point and conductivity, to determine the typical features of ionic and covalent substances. A much more interesting version of this experiment involves giving students a bunch of unknown substances and asking them to determine whether they are ionic or covalent. This is most easily accomplished by testing for conductivity, but let them figure that out for themselves!

78. Properties of metals lab - Students test a bunch of common metals to investigate their properties. This can include both a qualitative (describe the colour and other physical features) and quantitative analysis (measuring the conductivity, density, and so on). I find it best if you can get equally sized samples of each metal, whether that be cubes, wires, or strips. I usually have students fill out a table of all the properties. I also include a few rare metals (like gold, platinum, iridium, etc.) that they have to research and add to the table themselves).

79. Electroplating experiment - Students use a zinc solution and electricity to coat a copper plate with a thin layer of zinc. I make this a seasonal activity by drawing holiday-themed designs on the copper using a permanent marker. When removed, it creates a nice contrast between the dull grey zinc and shiny orange copper metals. Heat it lightly in a Bunsen burner and you'll create brass instead. Then punch a hole in the top and you've got a unique ornament for your Christmas tree.

80. Preventing rust experiment - Take a selection of iron nails and coat them with different protective substances before placing them in water. Leave them in there for a few days to see how much they rust. The goal is to learn about the factors that contribute to corrosion and to see if we can prevent it with readily available materials. You can also do a follow-up experiment where you use things like acid to remove the layer of rust.

81. Newton's 3rd law skateboard experiment - There are lots of versions of this, but I like to get kids up and moving a bit using rollerblades or skateboards if possible (safety first!). Get a student to sit on the skateboard and then toss a medicine ball. Measure how far they threw the ball and how far they rolled, and then repeat this with different masses of medicine balls (and students!). Do lots of trials to smooth out inconsistent data. If you don't have skateboards you can always just use balloon-powered rockets or cars to show the same concepts.

82. Hooke's law elastic spring constant experiment - With nothing more than a few small weights and an elastic band, you can investigate Hooke's law. This is so simple and quick that I would recommend doing it more than once with either different elastics or springs . As the name implies, springs produce better data, but you might not have enough for a full class, and once they're stretched out, that's pretty much the end of them.

83. Center of gravity experiment - Students try to find an accurate way of locating the center of gravity for irregularly shaped objects. I don't tell them how to do it at first to see if anyone can come up with a decent method. We might even test a few ideas if they seem reasonable, but otherwise, we'll go to the prescribed lab to complete the activity. All you need is a thick paper cut into irregular shapes. I use pieces of cardboard or old greeting cards.

84. Engineering challenges activity - Create and test towers and bridges using craft materials or building sets, then test them for strength and efficiency. Normally I do this at the end of our unit on forces and structures, but this year we did it twice - once at the beginning and then again after they had learned some more about construction and engineering. The results were greatly improved! My resources for this particular experiment are freely available here , by the way.

85. Types of mixtures lab - This is another great example of an experiment that makes use of what you have, saving you time and hopefully a shopping trip. Students mix household solids and liquids to explore different types of homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures. Use small quantities as this lab can generate a lot of waste that needs to be cleaned up. You can also illustrate the Tyndall effect by shining a flashlight through your mixtures to see if they scatter the light.

86. Dialysis or potato osmosis experiment - Use dialysis tubing to illustrate the concept of osmosis, typically with sugar, salt, or starch solutions of varying concentrations. Unfortunately, I rarely have dialysis tubing on hand, so we do the potato version with saltwater instead. I've been keeping our data for many years, however, so we compare and combine the data to arrive at much better results. My big breakthrough with this method has been to use cookie cutters when preparing the potato samples. It makes the sizes and surface areas much more consistent, although you still have to weigh each sample. 24 hours is a perfect amount of time to leave your samples in solution.

87. Molecular gastronomy spherification lab - Students make bubble tea using fruit juice. This is a fairly challenging experiment, but the result is often worth the effort (plus, you can eat it). Molecular gastronomy has a lot more to explore and honestly I wish I knew more about it. I've always wanted to try an activity to have students create and taste unusual flavour combinations based on similar chemical compounds, but I've never gotten around to it.

88. Chromatography crime lab - Separate the pigments in marker ink using various solvents in order to solve a 'crime'. You can go full CSI on this one if you're inspired to do so, and I think kids appreciate it. The experiment itself is not that thrilling, so you really have to play up the forensics angle and focus on the practical aspects of the technique.

89. Infection simulation - Give each student a solution that represents their body fluids. One student is 'infected' with a different solution. Students mingle around sharing fluids for a few rounds before testing the liquids to see who else is now infected. The cups containing the infected solution turn bright pink when phenolphthalein indicator is added. This is one of my favourite activities for exploring immunity, vaccination, and viruses. It also lends itself very well to discussions on STIs.

90. Graveyard survivorship and life expectancy investigation - Visit a local graveyard and collect as much data as you can. Then analyze it over the next couple of lessons. This is very location dependent, but luckily you can access similar records online using sites like Find A Grave . I still think going to the actual site where people are buried is much more meaningful, but it works either way. Use the results to create survivorship curves, compare life expectancy over time, and look for specific birth and death events. Try doing this as an interdisciplinary activity with social studies!

91. Electron flow student simulation - Kids act out an electrical circuit by pretending to be electrons. It sounds stupid, but it works beautifully and even older students usually come around once they try it. Increase the voltage by having students move faster. Add components and batteries using chairs or levels to show gaining and losing energy. Add switches to stop and start the flow of students. Then create a series or parallel circuit and get students to adjust their movements accordingly. Surprisingly I couldn't find a decent online version of this, so I guess I need to upload mine soon!

92. Fuse wire experiment - Use fuse wires of variable thickness to explore the relationship between current and resistance. You'll need a low-voltage power supply and the wires themselves, as well as other standard electrical circuit materials. This has the potential to be slightly dangerous, so be sure to prepare students adequately beforehand and make safety requirements clear.

93. Water quality investigation - There are many aspects of water that can be tested in schools, including hardness, pH, and the presence of nitrates. Purchase water quality testing kits to save yourself a ton of effort. I send each kid home with a small container and tell them to get some water. Most kids will bring their tap water, but some get creative and scoop a sample out of a puddle, pond, stream, or toilet (ew...). Label everything accordingly and then start analyzing those samples! I really love showing the film Erin Brockovich in combination with this activity as it's directly related and based on a true story.

94. Acid rain plant germination and growth experiment - Various concentrations of acidified water are used on germinating seeds and healthy plants to observe the effects on their growth and general health. You can use vinegar as the experiment here suggests, but I make a more realistic batch of 'acid rain' by combining nitric and sulfuric acids in order to get a pH below 5. We then dilute this solution as necessary to use on our plants. I like to use radishes since they grow so quickly and require very little space/depth. You can grow them right in the classroom with a few trays or planters.

95. Natural selection simulation - Students act as predators to capture prey using a variety of utensils. Both predator and prey populations change with each 'generation', but only the strongest survive! I really like this activity for introducing or reviewing the concept of natural selection, and it pairs well with the board game Evolution .

96. Hominid migration mapping activity - This website is awful, but the activity is great. Students use hominid fossil data to plot locations on a map and then suggest migration routes our ancestors might have taken. There is one typo in the data but I always forget to write down which one it is. Don't worry, your students will find it! When finished you can refer them to this updated interactive which helps explain human migration patterns.

97. Kepler's laws investigation - This is really a collection of experiments to explore the laws of planetary motion outlined by Johannes Kepler about 400 years ago. Students will be drawing and performing calculations related to ellipses and learning about centripetal force. There's a decent amount of geometry and other maths involved, so you might want to coordinate with the math department if that's something that interests you.

98. Lenses investigation - Using a series of lasers and lenses, students refract light and produce images on a screen to find focal lengths. This can be difficult without the proper equipment so I think it's worth investing in a couple of decent optics sets for your lab. Treat them well and they should last practically forever.

99. Eye dissection - Cow eyes are typically used for this investigation of eye structure and function. It's simple enough, but I haven't done it in years since it's hard to get the materials where I live. If you want to avoid the mess, there are many virtual options or videos you can use instead.

100. Doppler effect experiment - A simple smartphone app is used to explore the way motion affects sound frequencies. The experiment itself is pretty easy to do, but it's important to then link these concepts back to light and the expanding universe, which is responsible for the red-shift observed with very distant objects.

101. Night sky investigation - Another set of app investigations that use star-gazing software on your phone or tablet to explore the locations and movements of celestial objects. The good thing about these apps is that you can complete them in broad daylight, but I still think it's worth organizing a star-gazing event at night with telescopes so that students can view actual planets and moons. If you aren't confident running this yourself (I'm not), ask a physics teacher or contact your local astronomy club/observatory.

102. DIY Spectrometer experiment - Got a pile of useless CDs? Use them to create your own spectrometer to observe the spectral lines from different light sources. There are far more complicated designs available online if you are a tinkerer, but I find that this one works well enough for our purposes. There are some apps that will analyze a photo of spectral lines and suggest what elements might be present, but there isn't a single one that I would really recommend at this time. Explore what's available on your device as apps are constantly changing.

103. Molecular modeling activity - I'll take any excuse to get out the modeling kits. For this activity, students practice making various organic functional groups. I sometimes give each group equal components and see what kinds of different isomers they can come up with. It's easy to get caught up with complicated naming procedures in organic chemistry so I find that this hands-on activity helps to put some of the theory in perspective without being too demanding. If you want to challenge your students on a rainy afternoon (or whenever) give them something really big to make, like a phospholipid, or a section of DNA.

104. Esters investigation - Making esters by combining carboxylic acids with alcohols is relatively straightforward, if you have access to the necessary reactants. Students get to smell a bunch of things and relate this to compounds found naturally in foods and those artificially added to perfumes and other products. This lab makes use of concentrated sulfuric acid, which only you should handle for safety reasons.

105. Polymer slime activity - Making slime is fun for all ages, but you might wonder why I do it with grade 10 as it's more of an elementary school type of activity. Although younger students love to make and play with slime, they can't really appreciate the chemistry behind it, so that's why I toss this in at the end of a tough organic chemistry unit. You don't have to make the usual borax / PVA slime, but I find that it is simple and flexible enough to illustrate all of the concepts I want to hit. We also use this as a jumping-off point to discuss the use of plastics and other polymers as well as their effects on the environment.

106. Identifying plastics lab - Not all plastics are created equal in terms of their suitability for recycling. In this experiment, students will use the density of various plastic samples to identify them. We often watch a documentary associated with this experiment, such as Plastic Problem or Plastic Wars , both from PBS.

107. PCR and gel electrophoresis experiment - If your school has a PCR and electrophoresis machine, you're good to go and can begin examining samples of DNA without much effort, but if you don't, you'll need to connect with another organization that does. In the past, I've taken students to local universities in order to make use of their equipment, which they are usually happy to share for educational purposes. Sometimes they even prepare the lesson for us!

108. Flower anatomy investigation - If you plan to teach this unit in the warmer months you'll have access to all kinds of flowers you can dissect and examine. If you want to leave them on the plants you can just take photos I guess, but you'll miss out on exploring what's inside. Large flowers such as lilies are among the best and most straightforward examples of flower anatomy, but be sure to have a look at other flower types, including composites like sunflowers to see if your students can still identify all of the structures. Don't just look at flower structure, however. Make sure you discuss the functions of each part, and more importantly, why each species has evolved in a particular way. This is a good chance to talk about pollination as well.

109. Radioactive decay simulation - This is a statistics activity using dice to determine radioactive decay events. The experiment involves graphing, half-life calculations, and discussions on nuclear waste, so it's a well-rounded activity for any unit on radiation.

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16 Powerful STEM Activities for High School Students

By: Author Charlene Hess

Posted on Last updated: February 2, 2024

This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

You might think that STEM activities for high school students are difficult to come by, but if you’re willing to look a little deeper, there are plenty of fun STEM activities and projects for you to choose from.

Is your teen interested in STEM and looking for ways to explore, experiment, and build at home?

You don’t need an engineering lab of fancy equipment to experiment with engineering and science at home. All you need are some simple materials and a little time to explore!

Trust me – you definitely want to engage your teens in STEM lesson plans. Or perhaps even a full-on STEM curriculum . Let’s take a look at the activities I love to use!

Scientific Method Worksheets – Free Download

Before you move on, we’ve got some free scientific method worksheets for you to download and enjoy. These printable worksheets are useful for any science experiment, science project, STEM challenge, or STEM projects your students might be engaging in.

Turn every science project and STEAM activity into a thought-provoking STEM challenge. Plus give left brain and right brain kiddos alike a chance to utilize their strengths and improve their weaknesses. Get yours now!

Fun and Educational STEM Activities for High School Students

Here are some excellent STEM activities for high school students that you can try today.

And of course they are appropriate for mature middle school students as well, should you so choose.

1. DIY Electric Pencil Sharpener

Learn how to build your own electric pencil sharpener with this project kit from KiwiCo. Designed for ages 12 and up, this design kit comes with everything you need to construct the core, add the battery, and wire your sharpener up.

Put your engineering skills to the test and create something you’ll really use – an electric pencil sharpener of your own design!

With step-by-step instructions, you can construct the core, power it up, and wire everything together.

Then explore how far technology has come – from exploring the story behind its invention to discovering fascinating features like limit switches which automatically turn on when they sense that a pencil is in place! Unleash all your creative potential with this fun project.

You can get the Electric Pencil Sharpener project kit from KiwiCo by clicking this link.

Want to learn more about KiwiCo? Check out this article.

2. Homemade Archery Bow

Does your teen love Hunger Games or Lord of the Rings ? If so, there is a good chance they’re interested in archery.  

With a half-inch PVC pipe, an inexpensive heat gun, a handsaw, and some polypropylene string, you and your teen have all the craft supplies you need to make a fully-functional bow at home. You will plan out the shape and grip, measure, and cut. In about an hour, your child will have a light-weight, custom-built archery bow.

Mxessua 45" Bow and Arrows Set for Teens Recurve Archery Beginner Gift Longbow Kit 9 Arrows, 4 Target Face for Backyard Game

• Ideal Gift: This is the best gifts for children and teens. Archery teaches concentration and increase patience and self discipline. It can promote hand-eye coordination and targeting. Enjoy outdoor backyard activities with your children with this bow and arrows set.
• Strong And Sturdy With Perfect Design: Easy to assemble design. Fiberglass arrow gives durability. Ambidextrous reinforced handle for both right and left handed boy and girl, soft-touch grip for excellent handling.
• Archery Bow: 44.3 inches overall length with 22 - 24 inch draw length and 16-20 lb draw weight. Recommended user's age: 10 years old or More than 10 years old.
• Safety First: non-sharp arrow tips, finger saver attached to the bowstring, and arm guards in the bow set will keep your kids safe while shooting. Wear and use instructions are in the user manual.
• Included :1 * Bow, 9 * Safety Fiberglass Arrows, 4 * Target Faces Paper, 1 * Arm Guard, 1 * Arrows Quiver, 1* Pin Sight , 1* User Manua

Of course, you’ll also want to have a conversation about archery safety and boundaries for use. But there’s no doubt your young engineer will get a kick out of the project.

You can find full information on how to make a homemade bow out of PVC pipe here. This is a wonderful STEM challenge that teens and educators alike will remember for years.

3. Multi-Colored Fire

Have your high schoolers ever made multi-colored fire? Teenagers love fire and what better way to allow them to combine adventure with education than by enjoying a multi-colored flames science experiment?

In this dragon-themed STEM activity, high schoolers will get to experiment with various chemical elements as they determine what color of flame each element will create. This science activity opens up a fun discussion on chemical reactions, physical reactions, and of course, fire.

Learn more about this fun dragon fire science experiment now! Trust me – this will be a STEM activity your high schoolers will not soon forget.

4. Aquaponics Project

If your high school student is interested in biology and the environment, consider helping them build a miniature ecosystem at home.

Aquaponics combines a hydroponic indoor garden with a fish aquarium. This is a wonderful STEM activity for high school students, combining tech, engineering, and earth science which of course makes it one of the best real-world science activities on this list.

VIVOSUN 3-Gallon Aquaponic Fish Tank, Hydroponic Cleaning Tank for Freshwater Fish to Feed Plants and Plants Clean Tank, Additional Thermostat, Flow Pump, and Ceramsite Included

• Aquaponics Ecosystem: Our VIVOSUN aquaponic fish tank is a magical system of symbiosis wherein fish, vegetables, and microbes work together to benefit each other; Microbes break fish dung down into nutrients which fuel the growth of the plants on top, and the plants clean the water for the fish to swim in
• Siphon Oxygen Supply & Thermostat Equipped: The tank comes equipped with a siphon system and a water level at the top of the tank keeps the water in a tidal-like fluctuation which not only keeps the plants roots immersed, but also keeps them regularly oxygenated; A natural oxygen supply circles every 2 minutes, offering your lovely fish a more natural existence; The included thermometer reads water temperature instantly, helping maintain a constant comfortable environment
• Self-Cleaning Function: The hydroponic system helps make dirty water clean; The mini pump draws dirty water into the tray on the top, the fish waste in the water is converted into plant fertilizer, and then the filtered clean water is returned into the tank for the fish
• Suitable for Various Hydroponic Plants: Our VIVOSUN fish tank aquarium is suitable for use with over 150 hydroponic vegetables and plants, like green dill, asparagus, pocket coconut, mint, basil, and rosemary, to name a few; A great gift for foodies and aquaponic grow lovers
• Value Pack Includes Compatible Aquarium Heater and More: The complete pack includes 1x fish tank, 1x transparent tube, 1x aquarium cover, 1x siphon cover, 1x connecting adaptor, 1x flow pump, 1x pack of ceramsite, 1x pack of white stones, 1x additional thermostat, and 1x color manual; Suitable for the VIVOSUN 50W submersible heater which can provide consistent heating for your aquatic creatures

To begin, you and your student will plan together what fish and plants will thrive in the space available. Next, you assemble the main components: a tank, pump and filter system, grow-bed, and light. Once everything’s built, you can add plants and gilled friends.

An aquaponics project will provide both a construction activity and ongoing care and maintenance opportunities for your STEM-focused youngster.

We have plenty more information and resources on classroom aquaponics as a fun and educational science activity.

5. Soda Mentos Rocket

No matter the high schooler, they will love the idea of a little at-home combustion.

This activity is a fun, safe way to engage in rocket propulsion. Plus, they’ll learn something in the process. This STEM activity will teach your high school student about chemical reactions and physics. It lets you get outside and work with simple tools and materials.

Besides soda and a roll of Mentos mints, you will need two 2-liter bottles, a small length of PVC pipe, a single adapter, a ball valve, and some epoxy glue. The only tools are a saw and some sandpaper. You can buy everything at Lowes for less than twenty dollars.

4M Water Rocket Kit, DIY Science Space Stem Toys, For Boys & Girls Ages 8+

• Pump not included.
• Kit contains 1 plastic bottle, 4 fins (One for spare), 1 fin support, 1 bung, 1 bung connector, 1 pump connector, 1 extension plastic pipe and detailed instruction.
• Recommended for children ages 14+
• Construct your own rocket
• See how the rocket flies, Blasts over 30 feet
• Mechanics kits are innovative, inspiring and full of action
• Kit includes all required parts and instructions
• Educational kit that demonstrates a science principle

From there, you and your teen can create your two-chamber rocket setup at home. In the process, your student will learn how acidic and base elements combine to produce carbon dioxide and what happens when that gas builds up.

Be sure to make a video of the explosive results! The full step-by-step guide for this DIY soda bottle rocket STEM project is here. This is a STEM challenge that combines science experiments with engineering challenges. You could even throw in some technology if your teen was ambitious enough.

6. Edible DNA Model

High schoolers, even those with a strong interest in STEM, sometimes find genetics abstract and difficult to grasp. The terminology and rules governing DNA can seem impenetrable.

One surefire way for you to enliven DNA learning in life science is with a three-dimensional visual aid. Even better, you can construct it from your child’s favorite sweet treats and enjoy an edible science experiment .

As you may or may not remember, there are four nitrogen bases that sequence to form a unique DNA strand: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine. They arrange according to certain rules.

Use Twizzlers (or Red Vines, if you prefer) as the phosphate backbone of the strand, and either gumdrops or colored marshmallows as the nitrogen bases. You can even have younger siblings sort the colors!

From there, using a DNA strand plan coded to the candy colors, your student forms base pairings on toothpicks. Once all the pairings are set and sequenced, you can spear them in a “ladder” formation with the Twizzlers. With one twist, you’ll have a lovely, tasty double helix DNA strand.

You can find all the DIY edible DNA project details here. Enjoy this life science STEM activity in your homeschool or in a public school setting.

7. Bath Bombs

Have your teens ever made homemade bath bombs?

This STEM experiment is great for showcasing chemistry at its finest. Work with chemical reactions, learn about citric acid (C₆H₈O₇), baking soda (NaHCO₃), and how they react when they combine (3NaHCO3 + C6H8O7 → C6H5Na3O7 + 3CO2 + 3H2O).

Learn about catalysts and why they are important. You could even take this adventure further and dive into teenaged entrepreneurship!

It’s all very complicated and extremely fascinating.

Plus when you’re done, you’ll have some fun bath bombs to enjoy! Go enjoy your own DIY bath bomb science experiment now!

8. Crystal Egg Geodes

Growing salt or Borax crystals on pipe cleaners might be too juvenile for high school teens, but have your students ever grown crystals inside of eggshells?

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit - Rock Polisher for Kids & Adults, Noise-Reduced Barrel, Grit, 2 Pounds Jasper & Gemstone, New GemFoam for a Shiny Finish, Cool Toys, Great STEM Hobby Kit

• CREATE YOUR OWN GEMSTONES - Make any stone sparkle and polish everyday rocks into dazzling gemstones! This rock polisher kit makes it fun and easy to turn rough rocks into beautifully polished gemstones, thanks to its simple operation and durable design.
• A TUMBLER THAT'S MADE TO LAST Our high-quality tumblers are made with a durable motor thats designed to last for years. The leakproof rubber barrel reduces sound, making it 75% quieter than other plastic models. Makes an excellent STEM gift or activity for girls and boys.
• ALL-IN-ONE TUMBLING KIT - This complete kit has everything you need to create polished gemstones. In addition to the tumbler, four polishing grits, sifter, and rough gemstones, this bundle includes refill packs with 1lb each of rough gemstones and rough jasper. Learn all about the gemstones in your kit with the detailed, full-color learning guide.
• EASY TO USE Simple instructions and one-touch settings make rock tumbling fun and easy. Control the number of days for each tumbling cycle with the one-touch timer and automatic shutoff feature, so you can set it and forget it. This is a great gift for kids!
• SATISFACTION GUARANTEED The National Geographic STEM series provides kids high-quality educational toys that are a whole lot of fun! If your experience is anything less than extraordinary, let us know so we can make it right for you.

This STEM activity combines the simplicity of crystal growing with the complexity and delicacy of eggs. Eggs are very fragile and your students will have to use extreme patience in order to get every scrap of the membrane off of the eggshells.

Once that is done, they will have to pay close attention to the clock so they catch their crystal egg geodes before the crystals cement the eggshells to the bottom of the jar.

This is a project that combines science, engineering, art, and even a little bit of math. Perfect for some high school STEM fun! Take a closer look at crystal egg geodes now!

9. The Science of Cookies

High school students are plenty old enough to be able to invent their very own chocolate chip recipe. This is a fun STEM activity that will really test their knowledge of chemistry, science, and baking.

But first, they must learn how each ingredient in a cookie recipe reacts with each other and how they affect an overall recipe. Learn the science of cookies with this fun STEM activity for high school students and then challenge your students to write their very own recipe.

10. Edible Stained Glass

Do your teens have a passion for art? Are you looking for a STEM activity that is appropriate for high schoolers but still easy and tons of fun? What about edible stained glass?

This is one of our favorite STEM project ideas.

Professional 16 Pieces Mosaic tile and Stained Glass Start-up Tool Set with Carrying Case, Lead Came Kit for Beginner with Cutters, Pliers, Square, Hammer, Fid, Safety Glass, etc.

• Sales Now: Limited time offer!Use tools to accurately score, break and smooth edges on glass pieces.
• Totally 16 pieces hand tools, great for glass art and stained glass work.
• Includes 3 mixed pliers, 4 mixed styles glass cutters, cutting square, glazing hammer, fid, small suction cup, lead vise came, safety glasses and protective gloves.
• Come with a free carrying case,can be taken anytime, anywhere. Note: This tool kit has two different packages and we will send it at random.
• A low-cost way for beginners to get started in glass or for experts to get more essential tools at a bargain price.

When your kids enjoy an edible stained glass STEAM activity, they will get to experiment with chemistry while making (or melting) their hard candy. They will work with geometry while making their stained glass templates and determining how much of each colored candy they will need.

Students can take this project further by researching how glass is made or the history of stained glass through time. Use this project in math class, art history class, or just as a fun, hands-on STEAM activity. Your students will love it.

Learn more about edible stained glass now.

11. Dry Ice Experiments

Let your teens experiment with dry ice! First, have your students build their own smoking dragons. This is a simple way to introduce them to the basics of dry ice.

Then, when they’ve mastered that (which should be simple at this age), let them see if they can make a contraption that blows bubbles out of dry ice. This is a STEM fun activity your high school students are not likely to forget. Go read more about smoking dragons and dry ice experiments now.

12. Dragon Paper Airplanes

Can your students take a regular paper airplane concept and transform it into a dragon-shaped piece of origami that flies? High school students will enjoy making dragon paper airplanes and learning the history of this Japanese art form.

POWERUP 4.0 The Next-Generation Smartphone RC Controlled Paper Airplane Kit. Easy to Fly with Autopilot & Gyro Stabilizer. For Hobbyists, Pilots, Tinkerers. STEM Ready with DIY Modular Kit

• PILOTED FLIGHT - Grab a sheet of paper, fold it, and go! Instantly put yourself in the cockpit of an amazing smartphone controlled paper airplane that does high speed tricks. The bluetooth module, which includes autopilot control, connects to your phone so you can experience the sensation of flying countless paper, foam, and even Balsa Wood airplane models.
• INCREDIBLE STABILITY - Loops, Barrel Rolls, & Hammerheads are achieved with the special Acro Mode! Your paper planes onboard computer automatically calibrates your paper airplane for imperfect weather with a built-in launch assist and wind stabilizer. Now hobbyists, tinkerers, or students can become the flight controller!
• RAPID CHARGING - A 30 minute quick charge gives you 10 minutes of flight time along with an incredible range of up to 230ft! Traveling up to 20mph, your plane will spend less time on the tarmac and more time in the air. Simply connect the included micro USB cable to a charging port and plot out your next journey.
• STEM READY - Experience the aerodynamic forces that make flight possible through various wing configurations. Lift, drag, thrust, and gravity are learned first hand. Purchase the Night-Flight Kit and Accessory Kit to see how different parts create a new experience. Great for an outdoor class or exploration together with family.
• DURABLE - A near indestructible heavy duty carbon fiber body includes a nylon reinforced nose and motor mount. The POWERUP 4.0 paper airplane set is designed to withstand bumps, bangs, and even an unexpected crash. If your paper plane flies out of range, the onboard computer will safely land itself! Includes a one year warranty.

Take the learning even further by having your teens get into some data statistics, graphing, and charting. They can even experiment with making graphs and charts in a computer software such as Excel or something similar and you’ve got a full-on high school-appropriate STEM activity on your hands!

13. Regrowing Kitchen Scraps

This activity focuses on regrowing food from kitchen scraps. Your teens will be able to learn about sexual vs asexual reproduction in plants. Did you know there are several kinds of asexual reproduction? What method do onions and lettuce plants follow?

Your teens will be able to tell you all about the 4 methods of plant reproduction by the end of this earth science activity. Plus they’ll have some applicable life skills that will keep them in delicious and healthy food for the rest of their lives! It’s a win-win! Go learn more about regrowing food from kitchen scraps now .

14. Paper Mache Dragons

Have you ever made paper mache with your students? Making paper mache is a great example of a fun STEM project idea for middle schoolers and high schoolers alike.

Kids can learn to think like an engineer while also solving a multitude of problems and getting very messy. This is a multi-day project, making it perfect for older students such as middle schoolers and high schoolers.

Go learn how to make your very own paper mache dragon now!

15. DIY Composting Bin

Composting is a great way to reduce your waste and help the environment.

Did you know that you can do a composting STEM project with your teenager? It’s easy, and it’s a fun way to learn about science and recycling.

These DIY composting bin instructions will walk you and your students through the science behind a compost bin, how to build a successful composting bin, and how to keep the learning going for many weeks and months to come! This is a STEM project your high school won’t soon forget.

16. Saltwater Electrical Current

This one requires closer supervision, but it’s an excellent opportunity to learn about electrical currents.

For this activity, you need a light bulb and socket, plus some four pieces of insulated copper wire. You can find these at any hardware store. Most of the other items are probably already in your house: a plastic food storage tub, popsicle sticks, aluminum foil, a 9V battery, and electrical tape.

Attach a wire to each diode on the battery and each screw on the socket. Connect one diode wire to one screw, then tape the other two wires to popsicle sticks wrapped in foil. Touching these foil electrodes will close the circuit and light up the bulb.

Then, submerge the electrodes in water in the plastic tub, and add salt. Guess what? The bulb lights up!

This STEM activity will demonstrate to high school students how a closed circuit works and how sodium ions transmit electricity. Pretty cool!

Everything you need for this DIY saltwater electrical current activity is here. This activity brings problem-solving and critical thinking into the mix in addition to other STEM education lessons.

There is no need for your child to leave STEM exploration and experimentation behind when they aren’t at school. With these STEM activities for high school students, you can bring that scientific curiosity home!

The Benefits of High School STEM Activities

By doing STEM activities, students learn a number of important hard and soft skills they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

These activities offer more than just an opportunity to explore scientific concepts; they equip students with essential skills and attributes that are increasingly crucial in our technologically driven world.

• Hands-On Learning: STEM activities provide a hands-on approach to learning, allowing students to move beyond theoretical knowledge and experience the practical application of STEM concepts. .
• Problem-Solving Skills: STEM activities inherently involve problem-solving. Students learn to analyze complex issues, break them down into manageable components, and develop creative solutions. These skills can go a long way in helping them navigate real-world situations.
• Critical Thinking: STEM activities encourage critical thinking by fostering inquiry and exploration. Students learn to ask questions, gather and evaluate evidence, and make informed decisions.
• Collaboration: STEM activities often involve teamwork . Students work together on projects, learning to communicate and collaborate with one another effectively.
• Creativity: STEM activities encourage creative thinking by challenging students to think outside the box to make their experiments work.
• Career Readiness: High school STEM activities offer a way to get kids ready for the future. Exploring STEM topics in high school will give them an edge when they enter college or the workforce.

Monthly STEM Project Ideas Sent to Your Inbox

For more fun, hands-on experiments and captivating high school STEM activities (and projects for all age groups), check out our  STEM Made Easy Digital Subscription .

Every month, carefully curated STEM activity blueprints and a collection of accompanying worksheets and resources will arrive in your inbox, helping you create fun-filled learning tasks in no time at all and ensuring you always have activities and projects lined up.

Inspire, Create, Discover: Expertly Curated STEM Projects!

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💡 Spark creativity! Get 5 curated hands-on STEM project blueprints each month 😅Stress-free, no planning required. Just gather materials and get started 📚Supplemental worksheets, games, and materials to reinforce STEM learning

More STEM Resources for High School Students

• The Ultimate Collection of STEM Activities
• Quick STEM Activities
• More STEM Activities for Teenagers
• Educational Board Games Collection
• Homeschool STEM Curriculum
• Valentine’s STEM Activities
• The Best Online STEM Classes for Kids
• The Benefits of STEM Education
• Pi Day Activities
• DIY Anemometer STEM Activity
• Ocean Zones in a Jar Project
• DIY Jack in the Box STEM Project
• STEM Night Activities
• LEGO STEM Activities
• Recent Posts

• 4 Tips to Keep Your Kids Stimulated for School at Home - August 12, 2024
• Free Unit Study Planner - August 12, 2024
• STEM Challenge Printable Cootie Catcher - August 5, 2024

Tuesday 5th of October 2021

These are awesome ideas! I can't wait to pick one of these STEM activities out and satisfy my nerdy loves.

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26 hands-on science activities to do at home or school – plus a FREE 5-in-1 Science Activity Power Pack

Pop! Whir! Fizz! Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle. Those are the exciting sounds of science made by students using Ward's Science activities posted here over the past few months.

Our mission is to share tips, ideas, and resources that help you inspire students and guide discovery and learning. That's why many of the blogs we post on Ward's World include fun, hands-on STEM activities for the classroom and distance learning. From DNA, osmosis, algae beads, and minerals to photosynthesis, marine life, and moon phases, Ward's World is packed full of activities that help you engage the budding scientists in your class.

If you're suffering from a severe case of FOMO right now, don't worry, we gotchu!

To keep you in the loop, we've compiled the list below containing 26 of our most popular activities; a suppliance of science, if you will! We've also created a 5-in-1-Science Activity Power Pack for you to download. The Power Packs include five popular science activities in a range of fields, all in a single document, to make it easy to organize and share.

Download the shareable All-In-One Activity resource file here:

Download Lesson

Explore all these topics and activities with your students, no more missing out!

•  Styrofoam cups vanish into thin air with this activity
•  Set the kitchen table for science time
•  Our favorite free online resources for science teachers
•  For chemistry teachers who want a fun way to teach pH
•  The sweet smell of success: a lesson plan on esters and organic synthesis
•  Go for the gold at the Mole-ympic Games: A Mole Day chemistry lesson plan.
•  I'm just here for the popcorn: A heat transfer lesson plan.
•  Chemistry Lab Activities
•  The periodic table of candy: A chemistry lesson plan.
•  Density has never been more delicious: A high school lesson plan.
•  Think outside the box with these outdoor science activities
•  How does handwashing help prevent illness? The science of soap.
•  How to teach osmosis and diffusion with agar cubes – a free activity
•  When fleas take energy drinks: a biology activity
•  Predicting pigments: a biology activity for fall
•  Keeping it clean: a lesson plan on aseptic technique
•  The thorny problem – a Japanese beetle lesson plan.
•  A spectacular ocean view – marine mural lesson plan.
•  Foliage findings – a leaf pigment lesson plan.
•  Hovercrafts aren't just science friction with this activity
•  Physics Equipment & Activities
• Discovering exoplanets in a galaxy not so near you – a free activity

Geology & Earth Science

• Looks like a moon but tastes like a cookie, it's a moon phase activity
• Heat things up with this greenhouse effect activity
• Rockhounds agree - this mineral activity rocks

Be sure to share these activities with your colleagues, so they don't miss anything, FOMO is contagious. Also, keep an eye out for more 5-in-1 Science Activity Power Packs soon.

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Ward's Custom Kit Solutions

Ward's Science will source, organize, label, package, and ship your materials, your way so you or your students can easily purchase all required lab materials in one convenient kit.

Next Generation Science Standards Activities

Hands-on kits provide students with a complete understanding of science as they progress through grade levels, are easily introduced into Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering lessons.

Ward's Phenomena Lab Activities

Witness your students’ awe as they perform these inquiry-based activities aligned to NGSS standards. Ideal for middle school, these kits include materials for a teacher demonstration and a variety of materials for 10 lab groups. Choose from a variety of activities covering various topics.

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30 Science Activities For High School Learners: Experiments, Discussions, Model Building, And Observations

February 11, 2024 //  by  Victoria Ougham

Science is an integral part of a school child’s curriculum. With environmental influences and factors becoming more prominent, it’s important that our students are educated about these effects, whilst also learning the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, and physics. Finding creative ways to teach science isn’t always easy, but we hope that our list of 30 exciting ideas will inspire you and your students both in and out of the classroom!

1. Finding the Speed of Light

This interesting physics experiment is a great homework activity or if you have access to microwaves in the classroom, it’s easy to conduct in class too. This requires students to measure the melting differences between a plate of marshmallows in the microwave to calculate the speed of light!

Learn More: Physics

2. What is in our food?

These two simple experiments are a great start to introducing sugars and starches and the solutions we can use to test certain foods. This straightforward guide with printable worksheets will have you create an interesting and hands-on lesson for your students in no time.

Learn More: KBCC

3. Tooth Decay Eggs

Using easy-to-find and affordable products, this is a fabulous teaching point for discussing dental health and oral hygiene. By submerging eggs in varying liquids, students can see the effect they have on the eggshells; mimicking the effect of substances on our teeth. Also a great idea for teaching about porous materials!

Learn More: Sciencing

4. Petroleum Jelly Pollution

Climate change and the effects of pollution are a huge part of our day-to-day lives. With this simple activity, you can ‘catch’ pollution particles in petroleum jelly which can then lead to other lessons about air pollution and particulate matter.

Learn More: STEM Ambassadors

5. Balloon Blow Up

This one is a good idea for transitioning high school students and will no doubt have a great effect. Students will be asking questions after demonstrating how to blow up a balloon without using air! Lesson plans and videos are all provided below. 

Learn More: Cool Science Expe riments

6. Soda Explosion

Another great activity for younger scientists! Use soda and mints to create a chemical reaction. Make sure you have an outdoor space or plenty of room for cleanup!

Learn More: Scholastic

7. Oil Spill Challenge

This STEM-inspired challenge is fantastic when teaching students about the effects of climate change. Whilst it’s a messy activity, they will have so many questions and ‘wow’ moments to discuss. This activity is fully resourced and can be differentiated dependent on the needs of your children.

Learn More: STEM Activities for Kids

8. Veggie Batteries

Yes, you read that right! Making batteries from potatoes will blow your learner’s minds! This step-by-step guide will show you the easiest way to conduct this and have your students ask the right questions to spark curiosity using electrical components.

Learn More: Science Sparks

9. Grow Germs

A bit of a gross one but students will love finding out just how much bacteria is harbored in certain areas of the school. This is a great teaching point for health and hygiene, and also links to discussions surrounding the recent Covid-19 pandemic along with other diseases around the world.

Learn More: Teach Beside Me

10. Luminous Lava Lamps

Making lava lamps seems like a little bit of a blast from the past, but this experiment introduces density and reactions between different materials. You will need: some containers, water, oil, food coloring, and alka-seltzer tablets to conduct this experiment. 

Learn More: Play Osmo

11. Collaborative Periodic Table

This great idea for a huge corridor display involves everyone. Have your students pick out an element from the periodic table and create a fact sheet about it to turn into a lifesize table! This activity requires very little prep and all you need is colored paper and markers.

Learn More: Pinterest

12. Making Cells

Provide your students with lots of junk modeling materials and a rubric (provided via the link) and get your students to construct their own cells and present them back to the class; therefore teaching each other the important concepts of this topic!

Learn More: Science and Math with Mrs. Lau

13. Building Atoms

These visually striking models will help students easily understand atomic numbers, particles, and the relationships between protons, neutrons, and electrons. There are several examples of elements to make in the handy step-by-step guide below. 

14. Mitosis and Meiosis

This takes a little time to set up but provides a lovely whole-class demonstration. You’ll need some pieces of rope and elastic bands to create the visual elements. This blog post explains exactly how to conduct this task in the simplest way to explain mitosis and meiosis

Learn More: Engaging Science Labs

15. Strawberry DNA

DNA is a must-teach point for all high school students and this activity will give them the opportunity to extract it themselves from a strawberry! The reason for this is that strawberries contain a lot of DNA and there is a higher chance of a successful experiment!

Learn More: Steam Powered Family

16. DNA/RNA Comparison

It’s sometimes a little difficult for students to visualize what we talk about on a cellular level. Being able to build models is a great way to allow them to interact and envisage what they should look like. This simple lesson uses sweets and toothpicks as well as a handy printable to develop their understanding in no time.

Learn More: iTeachly

17. Use Epsom Salts for Warmth

Epsom salts, when dissolved, create a wonderful endothermic reaction so not only with students see the reaction, but they will also be able to ‘feel’ it too! This can then lead to a good opportunity to teach about different types of reactions and energy changes. 

Learn More: The Homeschool Scientist

18. Making Lungs

Smoking and tobacco abuse are major issues in many countries around the world. Highlight this in biology lessons by creating lungs from balloons-healthy and unhealthy- and students can see the effects in front of them.

Learn More: Surviving a Teacher’s Salary

19. Virtual Dissection Labs

We all have at least one student who is a little bit squeamish when it comes to specific experiments. With these clever ideas for virtual interactives, they can still learn the same concepts without having to dissect a real organism! 

Learn More: 3 Boys and a Dog

20. Magic Milk

This is a great idea for a Christmas-themed activity. In another reaction-based project, the proteins in the milk react with the detergent, and the food coloring then moves! 

Learn More: ThoughtCo.

21. Christmas Lights

Students create circuits to squash the myth that those pesky Christmas lights can never be fixed! You may need a few supplies but this is a great activity for teaching parallel and series circuits, as well as the different constraints they may come across for the lights not to work!

Learn More: Nitty Gritty Science

22. Easy Enzymes

This experiment uses potatoes to display the effect that hot, cold, and normal temperatures have on the catalase enzyme inside them. Students can understand the reactions and develop their knowledge of enzyme function.

Learn More: Practical Biology

23. The Carbon Cycle

Students will love being able to watch the carbon cycle in action in this activity. They can observe photosynthesis and respiration closeup and understand how carbon is transported through the system. You will require some aquatic plants and basic scientific equipment. 

Learn More: Science Lessons That Rock

24. Beating Hearts

For higher-level chemistry, this quirky activity has gallium beating like a heart. The reactions between the anodes and cathodes cause the material to ‘move’. Can students work out what is going on?

Learn More: Science Notes

25. Funky Fireworks

In this activity, students use a series of flame tests to find out exactly what is in a firework and what gives it color. This is a full explanation of how to run the experiment with alternatives dependent on your class.

Learn More: RSC Education

26. Which drink should I drink?

This experiment measures the electrolytes in various sports drinks to work out which one is the best. You could extend this into a full project and have students deliver presentations on their findings.

Learn More: Rock Your Homeschool

27. Build a Weather Station

Teach your students about atmospheric pressure and weather patterns with this fun activity. Using basic materials that can be found in school, build a mini weather station and take measurements of humidity each day.

Learn More: Earth Science Week

28. Red Sky at Night

In this experiment, learners observe light and how it moves through liquids-  specifically when looking at sunrises and sunsets and how we get different colors in the sky according to the time of day. 

Learn More: UCAR

29. Bending Light

Linking to the previous experiment, this activity allows students to ‘bend’ light using a series of different objects with varying densities. This is relatively easy to set up and students can independently measure their results.

30. How to Make an Air Cooler

This activity could be set as an independent project or discussed in class to understand how the components work. Students create an air cooler using simple everyday objects and no electricity! Can they figure out how it works?

Learn More: Creative Biswajit

14 Great Science Games for High School Students

Science can be a difficult subject for high school students to grasp. The deeply complex methods, rules, and vocabulary words make science a daunting subject. Yet, science is one of the most important and interesting subject’s high school students will learn in the course of their lives.

Victor Pereira, a lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education, understands first-hand the challenges of teaching science .

Classes can vary hugely in terms of students’ prior knowledge, experiences, and interest in the subject. By the time they reach high school, many students are wary of science, thinking the material is boring and useless, or that they themselves are incapable of learning it. And building an understanding of science depends on acquiring a new and complicated vocabulary, which can be odious to teach and to learn. - Victor Pereira, Why Science?

Pereira recommends approaching science as a way to observe the world, identify patterns, and ask and answer questions. It needs to go beyond memorization and into discovery and fun.

And what better way to have fun than playing a game?

Incorporating interactive science games can make the learning process so much more fun and engaging.

In this blog post, we will provide a list of 14 great interactive science games that teachers can use in their classrooms. These games are designed to help students learn about different scientific concepts, such as chemistry, biology, and physics.

So without further ado, let's get started!

Slides with Friends Biology Deck

We love a good classroom game at Slides with Friends. And with good reason! They’re so much fun, whether you’re meeting in-person or virtually.

With our new Biology Trivia deck , we’ve combined the competition and fun of a game with the learning of a quiz . The questions in this quiz get progressively harder and cover a wide range of science topics. The students can work individually or in groups and with or without their books. It’s just such a versatile base quiz.

The best thing about the biology deck? You can quickly plug in your own questions, making it specific for whatever lesson you’re covering.

And, teacher friends, worry not! They’re also super easy to put together.

Science Jeopardy

We couldn’t get far in this list without talking about the MVP of any educational classroom game. Jeopardy can be used for pretty much any school subject, but really shines as a science game. Added bonus? Almost everyone knows how to play this game.

You can make your own Jeopardy game using PowerPoint, putting it up on your screen, and having individual students (or teams!) compete. Your Learning Center has a fantastic tutorial, plus a free template so you can put your own game together in minutes.

Looking for something a little more grab and go?

Jeopardy Labs , Factile , and even Boston University all have pre-made science Jeopardy games ready to go with just a few clicks.

Cellulose: A Plant Cell Biology Game

Ideal for smaller classes, Cellulose is a board game that gives students a peek into how plant cells work. The goal of the game is to collect as many resources as possible through the different phases of a plants day (sunrise, daytime, evening). Over the course of the game, students use those resources to undergo photosynthesis, make carbohydrates, and craft strong cell walls.

While Cellulose may take a while to play, the game is ideal for an end-of-lesson overview on plant life and the photosynthesis process.

CSI: The Experience

The Center for Technology in Teaching at Rice University has created several games specifically to get more students interested in different STEM careers.

One of our favorites is CSI: The Experience . In the game, students learn what it takes be a forensic scientist by working through 5 cases. The best part? It features the well-known characters from CSI and ranges from beginner to advanced.

While the subject matter may be a bit grisly for younger students, high schoolers will appreciate the details of this unique science game.

Science Taboo

Another classic, science taboo gives students a chance to go over vocabulary but in a much more entertaining way. Like a classic Taboo game, the goal is for students to describe a word without using any ‘forbidden’ words and get their team to guess the right word.

What makes Taboo such a great classroom game is it gets students to use alternative ways of describing their vocabulary words, improving their comprehension. Plus, adding a little competitive edge to learning vocab will always make things more fun.

To bring this game to your classroom, you can find the general setup and rules here and a detailed description and list of words by this TeachIt resource .

While Wingspan definitely covers a very specific area of science, for teacher’s teaching about birds, it’s a gorgeous, fun way to learn more about species and habitats.

The board game allows 1-5 players (or teams for larger classes) to create wildlife preserves to attract the best birds. The goal is to create food, have the birds lay eggs, and learn about the different birds. The game can be played in 40 minutes – perfect for a class period.

But what makes this game so special is the gorgeous, detailed bird cards. And with the European , Oceania , and Asia expansions, there are so many more beautiful birds to learn about.

But pause – We know board games can be expensive. Thankfully, Wingspan also comes in digital form so you can get all the benefits of the game without the higher price tag.

Science Pictionary

Can you tell we love a classic?

Like Taboo and Jeopardy, Pictionary is a classic, well-known game that can be very easily adapted into a science lesson for high schoolers.

Using a Pictionary word generator, like the science-themed one offered by Puzzlefry , you can call a student up to the board and have them draw easy, medium, or hard science words. If their team isn’t able to guess the word or phrase in the set amount of time, the other team has a chance to steal.

Universe Sandbox

Combining technology, games, and science is the absolute ideal way to get high school students engaged. And Universe Sandbox takes that concept and blows it out of the water. The physics-based simulator gives students a look at how space actually works.

On a computer screen or monitor, students can use Universe Sandbox to simulate gravity, create star systems, and even collide planets and stars. And, yes, the explosions are fantastic to watch.

Students can use the gameplay to test theories, play with Earth’s climate, and even see Earth at different historical events.

Cytosis – A Cell Biology Game

Teach students about cell biology with Cytosis , an informative, but very competitive board game. Students can work together in teams to build hormones, enzymes, proteins, and more. The goal is to get the most health points by building resources within a human cell.

Not only does Cytosis get to the actual basics of cell structures, but it makes learning about biology so much fun.

Family Feud – Health Science Edition

Amped Up Learning offers the absolute best take on Family Feud with its Classroom Feud – Health Science Edition . The downloadable PowerPoint is easy to show on a screen and gets teams working together to guess the top answers for specific statements.

Once you purchase the game (for only $3), it will be ready to run! The download also includes the teacher’s answer key and video instructions.

Classroom Feud also has an Anatomy Version which includes all the same things you love about Family Feud, just with the focus on anatomy.

Virtual Clinic Trials

Another fantastic game by Rice University, VCT (Virtual Clinical Trials) gives high school students the opportunity to experience what it’s like to run clinical trials. There are 3 neuroscience-related trials looking at spinal cord injuries, depression, and traumatic brain injuries.

Of course, the goal of these games is to get students more involved in STEM careers, which is always a win in our books.

Microscopya

If you’re looking for a quieter, more independent science game for your students, Microscopya might be the answer for you.

The video game let’s students create an avatar and explore the insides of a cell. The hand-drawn illustrations make the game visually dazzling. And the science behind the games are topnotch, making this game ideal for entertaining and learning.

Science Bingo

While Bingo on its own might not be all that interesting to teenagers, using them during lessons or presentations definitely help keep their attention. Especially if there’s a prize for the winner!

Create your own Bingo cards with important terms for your lesson to keep your high schoolers focused. Or take a shortcut and use these premade, free Bingo cards that already cover a wide range of different scientific topics.

In Covalence , a molecule building game, a group of builders have to guess what secret molecules the ‘knower’ has for each player. Using element tiles, students can try to figure out what the clues mean and how they can be applied to their element cards.

Covalence is a great game to teach students about different molecules, bonds, and chemical structures. To make this extra fun for the classroom, divide students into groups and have them work together to figure out their molecule.

Gamification in Science

The importance of gamifying STEM has been studied and praised over and over again. By learning in less traditional ways, science (and tech, engineering, and math) becomes so much more accessible to young students.

What’s great is that with all this new information comes so many fun ways teachers can incorporate science games into their classrooms.

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10 Environmental Science Activities For High School Students

Do you know you are an important part of a huge environment across the globe? While your interaction with the environment might not be noticeable, you are constantly consuming resources and elements given by nature. Right from drinking fresh water to eating fruits during lunch, you are connected to the environment more than you know. 

Environmental science can simply be defined as the interaction between living organisms with their surroundings. It is indeed a large concept where flora, fauna, ecosystems, their effects, and ill effects are all a part of the environment. However, to understand it thoroughly, as high schoolers, you can now involve yourself in unique environmental science activities. 

Such activities help high school students connect with crucial elements of the environment and understand their biological and chemical formations too. A thorough understanding of the environment even helps you in acquiring environmental scholarships in the future. In this article, you get to explore interesting activities that test your knowledge right from environmental aspects in your lunchbox to the alarming concerns of the world.

Engaging environmental science activities 

Environmental science is the coexistence of many forms of nature from humans to wildlife. It is essential for students to preserve the environment and this can be taught through the below-mentioned innovation activities.

1. Plantation Drive

One of the most common activities for the environment is always going green. Students get an opportunity to learn about different saplings, plants, and trees along with their properties through a plantation drive. 

For this activity, provide students with different types of seeds for a plantation drive in the school or a garden. Allow them to explore plantation techniques and different soil types. With such an activity, students learn about the environment and its importance in a green and clean way. Such natural science experiments help high students connect with the ecosystem and the existence of natural elements. 

2. Hunt for It!

A scavenger hunt enables high schoolers to connect with nature in an effective manner. For this activity, take students to a forest or a garden nearby. Print pictures of different elements found in nature. These pictures can include pine cones, dry leaves, broken branches, butterflies, and so on. 

Divide students into teams of 2 members each and let them find these elements in the surrounding. Invite an open discussion about their experiences with nature. Through this, students learn about the coexistence between nature and humans and how to live a sustainable life.

3. That’s My Bag

Environment conservation begins by eliminating stuff and materials that are harmful to nature. Bags are most commonly used in everyday life for grocery shopping and storing things. Hence, this activity focuses on shifting the plastic alternative to something more sustainable.

For this activity, students need to open their creative mindsets and think out of the box. It is about designing handbags that can be used instead of plastic bags. For example, students can use paper or cloth to make bags. Encourage them to use old clothes or other fabrics for this bag-making activity. In this way, they can do their bit towards a healthy environment.

4. Field Trip

Field trips are often an interesting way for students to get out of their everyday academic life and learn something fresh. By organizing a field trip, you can help students learn about the environment and its coexistence in everyday life. For this activity, you need to find a local recycling center.

Take students to this center and let them learn the process of recycling. After keen observation and thorough questioning, students need to prepare an elaborate report on recycling and its benefits. Since the environment is a big part of the globe, even a small contribution towards recycling can bring about a significant change in the world.

5. Lunchbox Audit

Protection of the environment starts from the home. Every choice you make creates a lasting impact on the environment. This activity focuses on explaining to students the possible alternatives in terms of their lunchbox and the food they consume.

For this activity, every student must be paired with another student. Both students need to audit each other’s lunchboxes to see how small steps can impact the environment. For example, if the food requires a lot of plastic packaging, it can be switched to healthier options. Similarly, it is ideal to use steel boxes instead of processed plastic. Students need to note such points and present the audit findings to the class.

6. Do It Yourself!

DIY is a popular concept among learners in current times. To conserve the environment and its resources, it is crucial to recycle, upcycle or reduce the wastage generated on an everyday basis. For this activity, ask students to research waste reduction and how they can reuse the materials.

Students need to collect the waste from their homes and bring it to the school. Divide the students into teams of 3 members each. They need to make something creative that is useful and would not lead to waste. For example, instead of throwing plastic bottles, they can cut bottles to make a hanging bird feeder. Art activities like this promote collaborative efforts between students.

7. Debate Begins!

Verbal communication is one of the effective ways to let students express their thoughts with freedom. A debate enables students to think creatively and use their analytical thinking skills. For this activity, divide the students into teams of 3 members each. Two teams need to compete with one another.

Now, write different topics on chits and put these chits in a box. These topics can be related to climate change, marine life, ecosystems, deforestation, or plastic pollution. Teams pick the chit and choose if they want to speak for or against the topic. Invite other students to contribute their views and feedback. Such communication activities help promote language and grammar skills.

8. Energy Audit

Energy consumption is one of the alarming causes of environmental conservation practices. It is important for students to be aware of how energy is consumed and where. For this activity, students play the role of energy auditor in their schools as well as homes.

Give a sheet of paper and ask them to make different rows on the sheet. They need to make a list of products or appliances that consume energy in the school and house. Ask them to mention the time taken by various appliances and how it affects the consumption pattern. Together, encourage students to discuss how energy consumption can be reduced.

9. Wildlife Rehabilitation

Animals are an important part of the environment and students often do not understand how they play a significant role in the ecosystem. This activity helps students dive into the learning world where they can understand codependency and coexistence between animals. For this activity, arrange a visit to a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Wildlife rehab is one where students get an opportunity to learn about injured animals and the care required for them. It provides exposure to how animals are saved and are a crucial part of society. Such activity enables students to understand the conservation efforts needed for wildlife. You may later ask them to make a presentation on their visit.

10. Models and More!

Students have different ideas on the topic of environmental science. The vast subject covers everything from pollution, marine life to global warming and climate change. In such a case, it is essential to offer freedom in the expression of their vision toward a clean and green future. For this activity, divide students into teams of 2 members each. 

After this, let them choose the preferable topics to make a model on. For example, students can choose topics like greenhouse gasses, conservation of marine life, climate change, soil pollution, and sustainable agriculture. Organize an environmental science fair and allow students to showcase their ideas and share their knowledge with other students. Agriculture activities like this one help students focus on various aspects of farming, cultivation, and so on. 

Conclusion 

Environmental science is a vital aspect of learning for students. As students get exposure to interconnecting with nature, they also explore their interests in conservation and protection of the environment. It helps them develop a liking for a certain field that they might be willing to explore in the future.

The above-mentioned activities play a major role in imparting knowledge, building imagination, and empowering students to do their bit toward the conservation of natural resources.

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

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Extracurriculars.

5 STEM Extracurriculars for High Schoolers

What’s covered:.

• School Clubs
• Competitions
• Summer Programs
• Self-Driven Projects
• Teaching/Mentoring

How Do Extracurriculars Impact Your College Chances?

If you’re planning on studying science—subjects like physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and earth science—in college, then you know that STEM programs are competitive. The earlier you start planning for college, the better you can prepare your application to demonstrate that you are worth accepting. 

Strong grades and test scores are important in college admissions, but many STEM applicants will have these same scores. You need more than academic ability to stand out; you will need to demonstrate the personal qualities that you possess that make you a strong fit for the major—things like leadership, dedication, and a passion for science.

Extracurriculars are the perfect way to do this. Read on for extracurricular ideas for aspiring scientists!

1. School Clubs

The most obvious extracurricular activities are clubs. Not only do clubs provide a community of like-minded students, but they are easy to find and join when run through your school. Regular meetings and activities provide a consistent way for students to engage with their passions each week. 

Most science clubs are dedicated to a specific field or topic. If you know what you want to study, joining one of these can help you meet other students with the same interests who you can grow with and learn from. If you don’t know exactly what you want to study, joining one or two of these will help you explore your interests in a structured way. Below are a few examples of the science clubs you might encounter:

• Astronomy Club
• Astrophysics Club
• Biochemistry Club
• Chemistry Club
• Earth Science Club
• Food Chemistry Club
• Future Scientists
• Oceanography Club
• Rocket Club
• Physics Club

You might also consider joining the Science National Honor Society (SNHS). Students join SNHS through their school’s local chapter. To qualify for membership, students must take Honors or AP-level science courses, maintain a certain overall GPA and a certain science GPA, and complete volunteer hours.

The impact of SNHS on your college admissions chances depends heavily on your involvement. If you simply pay a membership fee and add it to your resume, you will not stand out. On the other hand, if you rapidly improve your school’s outreach and philanthropy then join the national board, that is meaningful and may affect your admissions chances.

2. Competitions

Science competitions for high schoolers come in two major forms: science olympiads and science fairs. 

Olympiads are knowledge-based competitions where tests and challenges show your expertise in a subject. Here are the major Olympiads:

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is a team-based competition where students compete in 23 events across various scientific fields. Subjects include Anatomy and Physiology, Forensics, Mechanical Engineering, and more. Succeeding in this competition demonstrates teamwork and quick-thinking skills. If you are interested in participating, check out our ultimate guide .

Chemistry Olympiad

Chemistry Olympiad is a science competition that focuses specifically on students’ knowledge of chemistry. Chemistry Olympiad is a series of exams, where the top qualifiers move on to the next round. If you love chemistry and excel at standardized tests, look into local exams being offered in your area.

Physics Olympiad

Physics Olympiad is a science competition that involves a series of tests in physics subjects. There are two levels of exams, and the top twenty finishers of the second level exam go on to an intensive study camp and eventually represent the United States at the International Physics Olympiad. 

Science Fairs

While success in an Olympiad shows your breadth of knowledge within a scientific discipline, success in a science fair demonstrates an understanding of methods, the ability to master a nuanced issue, and the ability to follow through on your curiosity. 

Science fairs range in size and prestige, from ones at your local school to national ones like the Google Science Fair . No matter what level you’re competing at, having a new and interesting scientific endeavor on your profile can help demonstrate where your interests lie as well as your capacity for innovation. Think hard about your topic and spend time on your research proposal to give your project its best shot. 

3. Summer Programs

Summer programs come in many shapes and sizes. Prestigious programs are often free, and they sometimes even reward students for their work with a stipend. Some of the best programs include:

Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is open to students in a wide range of fields, from biology to computer science to history. Students from across the globe travel to Texas Tech University where they are afforded the unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience in their field while working one-on-one with faculty over the program’s seven intense weeks.

Many Clark Scholars use the experience to shape their future college and career goals. The Clark Scholar Program is free for chosen applicants—the only cost students are responsible for is their transportation to and from the program. This program is open to high school juniors and seniors and is extremely selective; only 12 students are chosen each summer.

MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)

MITES is a residential program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) aimed at students interested in pursuing a degree—and subsequently a career—in the STEM fields. Program participants are academically talented and come from diverse, underrepresented, or underserved backgrounds.

Throughout this six-week residential program, high school juniors develop the skills necessary for success in STEM fields while learning about the value and reward of acquiring advanced technical degrees. MITES is free—the only expense students need to cover is their transportation to and from MIT.

Research Science Institute (RSI)

The Research Science Institute gathers 100 of the world’s most outstanding high school students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for a free, five-week program where they can experience the research cycle in its entirety. 

Combining on-campus coursework in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research, RSI students produce individual projects guided by experienced scientists and researchers, culminating in written and oral presentations of their projects.

Pre-College Programs

Many colleges and universities offer residential pre-college programs, where students stay in dorms together while taking a class for a few weeks during the summer. While these programs are usually not free and require students to pay tuition and housing, many offer the opportunity to earn college credits that can go on your college transcript. Popular programs include:

• UCLA Summer Sessions
• USC Summer Pre-College Programs
• Cornell Precollege Studies
• Brown Pre-College Programs
• Rice Summer Programs
• UC San Diego Pre-College Programs
• Georgetown Hoya Summer High School Sessions

Check out our other program lists:

• 20 California Summer Programs for High Schoolers in 2023
• 26 Most Prestigious Summer Programs for High Schoolers
• 20 High School Summer Engineering Programs in 2023
• 20 Computer Science Summer Programs for High Schoolers in 2023

4. Self-Driven Projects

Self-driven projects are very impressive to admissions officers, as they show motivation, dedication, and creativity. That said, for a self-driven project to be impressive, you have to actually finish it. If you have trouble holding yourself accountable, we recommend that you gather with peers (who you meet through a club, summer program, or course) to complete self-driven projects.

Different projects require different skill levels. When deciding on a project, do internet research, read online forums, and most importantly, talk to someone who is experienced in research about your project. A mentor will be extremely helpful for establishing reliable methods, maintaining a schedule with deadlines, and making smart financial decisions.

Popular beginner projects include:

• Build your own telescope
• Analyze the macronutrient concentration of your favorite food
• Make a Rube Goldberg machine
• Build a projectile or racecar
• Make a battery to power your everyday appliances
• Code an app or website

5. Teaching/Mentoring

There has been a large push in recent years to introduce children (specifically those of underrepresented races and genders) to STEM at a young age. Because of this, there are many opportunities for STEM-inclined high schoolers to mentor and teach younger students.

Start by reaching out to the elementary schools and middle schools in your area. You could become a classroom assistant or lead the STEM seminar each week for a school’s after-hours program. Also, keep in mind that olympiads and science fairs exist at lower levels. You could become the coach of a local school’s Physics Olympiad team or you could become a science fair project advisor.

Admissions committees don’t just care about which activities you pursue; they are interested in the quality of your involvement and what that activity tells them about you as an applicant. If executed correctly, extracurricular activities can be very impactful during college admissions.

Some activities are given more weight than others, so you need to focus your energy. At CollegeVine, we find it helpful to break extracurricular activities down into Tiers , based on how impactful they are for admissions.

• Tier 4: These are activities where your involvement is largely surface-level. College admissions committees see these activities most frequently, so they don’t have as much of an impact as higher-tier activities.
• Tier 3: These activities are a step up from Tier 4 activities, usually involving some degree of accomplishment. This could be holding a minor leadership position or winning a small competition.
• Tier 2: These activities show a high level of accomplishment or leadership and are a great asset to your overall profile. This could be a major leadership position, placing in a prestigious competition, or founding a successful new club.
• Tier 1: These activities show the highest level of achievement. College admissions committees look on them incredibly favorably because they are rare and impressive. This could be winning a national or international competition or attending an extremely selective or distinguished program. These activities are uncommon.

As you choose your extracurriculars, think about what will stand out to admissions officers. Additionally, put your extracurriculars into CollegeVine’s free chancing engine , which will tell you how certain extracurriculars will affect your admissions chances at specific colleges and universities.

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What Are Notice and Wonder Activities in Science Education and How Do They Support Student Curiosity and Creativity?

Quick Take: Learn how Notice and Wonder activities in science transform science education by fostering curiosity and critical thinking. This post explores the implementation of this versatile strategy across grade levels, from elementary to high school, as demonstrated in Activate Learning's K-12 curricula. Learn how this NGSS-aligned approach engages students in authentic scientific practices, supports creativity, and makes science more relevant and accessible. Gain practical insights and download examples of Notice and Wonder activities to take your science teaching to the next level! 🚀

What are Notice and Wonder activities in science?

“ The best scientists and explorers have the attributes of kids! They ask questions and have a sense of wonder. They have curiosity. 'Who, what, where, why, when, and how!' They never stop asking questions, and I never stop asking questions, just like a five year old. ” -- Sylvia Earle (Marine Biologist, Oceanographer)

Notice and Wonder activities are innovative teaching strategies designed to engage students in scientific thinking and spark curiosity about the world around them. At its core, this approach involves two main components: careful observation ("noticing") and generating questions ("wondering").

In a typical Notice and Wonder activity, students are presented with a phenomenon, image, or demonstration related to a scientific concept. They first share detailed observations without interpretation, honing crucial observational skills. Then, they generate questions and speculate about causes, nurturing their natural curiosity and practicing scientific inquiry.

The Notice and Wonder strategy aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and 3-dimensional learning , incorporating Science and Engineering Practices (particularly asking questions and defining problems) and using Crosscutting Concepts as students make connections in their observations of phenomena.

This approach to science education differs significantly from traditional science instruction in several ways:

• Student-centered: Instead of the teacher presenting information, students actively engage with phenomena and generate their own questions.
• Low-stakes participation: There are no "right" or "wrong" answers when noticing or wondering, reducing anxiety and encouraging participation from all students.
• Activates prior knowledge: Drawing on what students already know or have experienced creates a bridge to new learning..
• Promotes scientific thinking: It mirrors scientists' actual process when encountering new phenomena, helping students develop authentic scientific practices.
• Adaptable: This strategy can be used across grade levels and topics, making it a versatile tool in science education.

The Notice and Wonder technique is both flexible and powerful. But how does it look in practice? Let's explore two different examples of Notice and Wonder activities, showcased in our recent webinar series .

How Are Notice and Wonder Activities Implemented in the Classroom?

[Nicole Bolduc, 7th grade science teacher and OpenSciEd facilitator, shares how her students figure out phenomena using Notice and Wonderings activity.]

Notice and Wonder activities are versatile tools that can be adapted across grade levels to suit various student needs. Our 3-Dimensional Learning Snapshot Webinar series showcased two different implementations of this strategy, demonstrating its flexibility in practice.

Middle School

In the webinar Making Thinking Visible , presenter Rebecca Garelli demonstrated how teachers can support all students in writing and drawing for sensemaking using a See-Think-Wonder chart. During the interactive session, Garelli had participants observe a phenomenon and record what they saw in a See-Think-Wonder table, focusing on quantitative and qualitative observations. Participants then thought about what might be causing the phenomenon, drawing on prior knowledge. Finally, in groups, participants wondered about the phenomenon by generating questions about the phenomenon that can be investigated.

High School

In the webinar Productive Discussions in Science Classrooms , which explored how educators can use discussions to help high school students make sense of the world around them, Michelle Tindall presented a slightly different approach, Notice and Wonder. Webinar participants were shown a phenomenon (a video of lightning strikes) and asked to share what they noticed without interpretation using a standard Notice and Wonder chart. They then move directly to wondering, generating questions about their observations.

Both approaches emphasize independent thinking time before group sharing. The key difference is the additional 'Think' step in the middle school version, which may be particularly helpful for younger students as they develop their scientific thinking skills.

To implement Notice and Wonder, teachers typically:

• Present a phenomenon
• Guide students through noticing and wondering
• Facilitate sharing and discussion
• Collect and categorize observations and questions
• Use student wonderings to guide further inquiry
• Revisit and reflect throughout the unit

How Do Notice and Wonder Activities Support Student Curiosity and Creativity?

Notice and Wonder activities in science nurture students' natural curiosity and foster creativity in science education. By encouraging students to ask their own questions, these activities make science feel more relevant, personal, and engaging for students. When students generate their own questions, they become more invested in finding the answers, increasing overall engagement in science lessons.

Moreover, through careful observation and question generation, students practice critical scientific skills. They learn to look closely at phenomena, make connections, and formulate testable questions – all crucial aspects of scientific inquiry. The open-ended nature of these activities encourages students to think critically and creatively and approach phenomena from multiple angles. 

Teachers can also gain valuable insights into students' prior knowledge and potential misconceptions through their "notices" and "wonderings," allowing for more targeted instruction. This approach mirrors how real scientists approach new phenomena, helping students see themselves as capable of doing authentic scientific work and building their confidence.

Where Can I Find Examples of Notice and Wonder Activities in Science?

We've compiled some valuable resources to help you implement Notice and Wonder activities in your classroom. Whether you're teaching elementary, middle, or high school science, these tools will support your efforts to engage students in authentic scientific thinking and discussion!

• Webinar Replay and Resources: Making Thinking Visible (middle school) [ learn more ]
• Webinar Replay and Resources: Productive Discussions in Science Classrooms (high school)  [ learn more ]
• See-Think-Wonder Strategy and Chart   Created by Rebecca Garelli  [ download ]
• Teaching Slides: “Notice and Wonder” Example in Activate Learning PRIME Elementary Curriculum [ download ]
• Teaching Slides: “Notice and Wonder” Example in OpenSciEd Middle School Curriculum [ download ]
• Teaching Slides: “Notice and Wonder” Example in OpenSciEd High School Curriculum [ download ]

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Paraeducator (Bilingual - Spanish) (Pool of Candidates) (#804543, #804141) at East Side High School District

Application Deadline

8/16/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

Date Posted

Number of openings, add'l salary info, length of work year, employment type, position location, about the employer.

As one of California’s largest high school districts, we offer rewarding and exciting employment opportunities that impact our students and community in a positive way. We offer a supportive team environment with a shared passion and common goal of providing students the education and skills they need to succeed in college and career. Apart from competitive salaries and 100% benefits coverage for employees and their dependents, we also focus on personal professional development. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our team!

Job Summary

To assist a certificated teacher(s) in the instruction, supervision, and training of individual or groups of students by performing a variety of instructional support activities;to perform a variety of related duties in the maintenance of an effective leaning environment; and to perform clerical duties as assigned. This job class requires a high degree of positive contact with both students and certificated staff. Positions available at the following school sites: - Andrew Hill High School - Independence High School - Mt. Pleasant High School - W.C. Overfelt High School - Yerba Buena High School

Requirements / Qualifications

Must have the equivalent of two years of full-time college (at least 48-semester units) - OR pass the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) test during probationary period.

Spanish-speaking candidates preferred. A copy of transcripts is required as an attachment to your online application, or you must pass the NCLB Test. Please attach a current resume. Successful candidates must pass fingerprint clearance and provide Official Sealed Transcripts.

• Copy of Transcript (Please Attach Copy to Online Application)

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45+ Ways to Teach Social-Emotional Learning Every Day

Incorporate SEL all day long.

In addition to, and during all the reading, writing, and arithmetic that students learn in school, they’re also learning social-emotional or SEL skills. Social-emotional skills include self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, relationship building, and decision making. Whether or not your school uses an SEL curriculum, you can incorporate SEL skills throughout the day with activities that help students think about feelings, build relationships, resolve conflict, and make good decisions. Here are our favorite ways to incorporate SEL into your school day with ideas for preschool through high school, because SEL skills are skills you never stop learning!

Learn more: What is social-emotional learning?

1. Reference an emotions bulletin board

Little kids have big feels, and they need to learn the words to match their emotions. Use this free bulletin board kit to create a reference for students as they’re learning feelings. Have students identify the way they are feeling during morning meeting. Or, for older students, use the bulletin board to name feelings and synonyms for various feelings. And, have students refer t to the bulletin board when they are analyzing literature and characters’ feelings.

Learn more: Free Emotions Bulletin Board Kit

2. Start the day with a greeting

Start the day at your door greeting each student. Use this greeting sign to give students choice in how they greet you each day. A daily greeting starts the day off to a good start, and gives you a quick check in with each student. Kindergarteners may want to tell you all about their weekend, while you may notice that a high schooler is looking stressed. 

Learn more: Classroom Greeting Sign

3. Use a Feelings Chart

Talk about feelings on the regular. Use this feelings bundle to incorporate a feelings check in each day with younger students, and to provide older students with all the words they need to describe their feelings in a journal prompt. The more practice students have at expressing their feelings, the better they are at managing them. 

Learn more: Feelings Chart 

4. Set a daily mindfulness routine

At the start of a lesson or day, take a few minutes for mindfulness. Choose mindfulness activities that match your class. Yoga for a busy bunch, music for older students, or a guided meditation for students who love to visualize a story. 

Learn more: Mindfulness Activities for Kids 

5. Practice positive affirmations

The way students talk to themselves impacts how they persist, feel about their day, and how they interact with others. Use these daily affirmation cards to help students develop positive self-talk. Pass them out at the start of a week and have students reflect on what each statement means to them. Can they incorporate their statement into their internal talk this week? At the end of the week, have them share or write a reflection about how the statement shaped their week. 

Learn more: Positive Affirmation Cards

6. Get into the habit of journaling

Younger students can get in the habit of writing their thoughts and feelings with weekly journal prompts. Older students can use a mindfulness journal to track how they feel and what they’re thinking across a week, month, or school year. 

Learn more: Mindfulness Journal

7. Take regular brain breaks

Brain breaks-where you completely set aside academic work and spend time moving, listening, or even being silent-help students reset and get ready for more learning. Younger students can do a dance or movement break. Older students can color to music for one minute. 

8. Use the Worry Iceberg

Building emotional resilience includes understanding how first impressions can be incomplete. Help students develop emotional resilience with a worry iceberg activity. Have students think about a situation that made them anxious. What could they see? What was also happening underneath? How does knowing the whole “iceberg” help them understand the situation? And, what can they do in the future to get the whole “iceberg” when a situation arises? 

Learn more: One-Minute Activities to Build Emotional Resilience

9. Maximize transitions for self-awareness

Use transitions to reinforce self-awareness by having students breathe like an animal, strike a yoga pose, or check in with how they feel.

Learn more: How to use Transition Times for Emotional Health Check-Ins

10. Introduce the Zones of Regulation

Another way for students to check in with their emotions is using the Zones of Regulation. Students identify their feeling zone using the colors. Once they know their zone, they can identify which strategy to use to get back to green (if they’re not there). 

Learn more: Zones of Regulation Activities

11. Schedule a morning meeting

Morning meeting is an important part of elementary school and provides a time for students to reflect on their feelings and actions, talk about concerns that arise during the day, or engage in collaborative decision making. Even in the upper grades, a once-a-week 10 minute check in can serve the same purpose.

12. Teach active listening skills

Students’ are better able to learn, build relationships, and increase social awareness when they’re listening. Teach or reinforce whole body listening to students know what listening looks like, and how to manage their bodies so they are understanding what others say to them.

13. Build in behavior reflection

As students develop self-awareness and self-management, reflecting on their behaviors is an important step. Use behavior reflection sheets to guide students’ reflection and turn behavior situations into a learning opportunity.

Learn more: Behavior Reflection Sheets

14. Create a calm-down corner

A calm down corner is a space students can go to when they need to calm down. Even going to the calm down corner when they are overwhelmed or upset shows that students are developing self-awareness and self-management skills. 

Learn more: How to Create a Calm Down Corner in any Learning Environment

15. Create calm-down jars

A calm-down strategy that students can take with them, a DIY calming jar is a great craft that you can use to talk about the importance of emotional regulation and self-management.

Learn more: DIY Calm Down Jars

16. Try calming mind-body exercise worksheets

Older students can use meditative exercises, like coloring mandalas or doing guided visualizations. Use a variety of mindfulness exercises so each student can find one that works for them.

Learn more: Calming Mind-Body Exercises to Do with Students

17. Model and practice positive self-talk

The words students tell themselves impacts their self-management, persistence, and ultimately their success. Model and reinforce positive self-talk with a self-talk poster. Use these phrases when you’re doing think-alouds and prompting students and encourage them to do the same.

Learn more: Positive Self-Talk Poster for Teens

18. Make DIY stress balls

Part classroom craft project, part SEL activity, DIY stress balls are so much fun! Make them using balloons, slime, beads, and more.

Learn more: 4 Different Ways to Make Stress Balls

19. Assign classroom jobs

Classroom jobs build self-management and responsibility. While younger students ask for classroom jobs, they’re effective for high schoolers too (the tasks of whiteboard cleaner and technology helper come to mind).

Learn more: The Big List of Classroom Jobs

20. Read SEL stories

A story can be a model for social-emotional skills or it can introduce students to scenarios they haven’t experienced yet. For younger students, read picture book and talk about what happens and how the characters feel. For older students, read and discuss novels with SEL themes.

Learn more: Best Social Skills Books for Kids

21. Set and track actionable goals

Setting goals contributes to responsibility, but it doesn’t come naturally. We have to teach students how to set meaningful, reasonable targets, and then give them the tools to track their progress. Seeing how they are progressing also helps students build resilience and perspective.

Learn more: Back-to-School Goal Setting page or Goal Tracking and Stamina worksheets

22. Track important habits

Building new habits takes time and persistence. Use a habit tracker to keep track of how students are progressing towards their goals.

Learn more: Free Habit Tracker Bundle

23. Ask ice-breaker questions

Icebreakers are great for the first day of school, but you can actually incorporate them all year long. Use them when you form new project groups, or when you change the seating around in your room. Talking about different topics helps student practice conversation skills.

Learn more: 200 Fun Icebreaker Questions for Kids and Teens.

24. Hang kindness posters

This free set of printable kindness posters helps spread important messages. When you first put them up, take time to discuss them with your students. Ask them for examples of what kindness looks like, and encourage them to share stories of a time when their kindness made a difference.

Learn more: Kindness Posters

25. Use Social Stories

For young students, and students with disabilities who require explicit instruction in social skills, a social story is a great way to teach them step-by-step approaches for social situations. For all students, social stories can help develop social awareness.

Learn more: Free Printable Social Stories for Kids

26. Teach students to be upstanders

Upstanders reach out to others, especially those who seem like they might be hurting or struggling. Teach kids about the concept, their role in helping build classroom community and helping those who might not feel included, and hang these free printable upstander posters in your classroom. The tear tags offer positive affirmations.

Learn more: Take-One Posters

27. Celebrate students’ diversity

Understanding diversity is important for self-awareness and relationship building. Engage students in thinking about how they are unique, and how our diversity makes us stronger.

Learn more: Diversity and Inclusion Printable Activities

28. Use videos to teach relationship building

Everyone can use a reminder about how to make and keep friends. Use friendship videos in morning meeting to talk about how to make and keep friends. Or, with older students, use them as a friendly and funny reminder of what students likely already know but might not be practicing. As students learn more about relationships, use anti-bullying videos to start a conversation about this topic.

Learn more: 30 Friendship Videos to Teach Kindness and Compassion and 20 Best Anti-Bullying Videos

29. Practice empathy with scenarios

Help students understand and work through common scenarios that engage their empathy as they think about the scenario, how they would feel, and what they would do.

Learn more: 33 Empathy Prompts

30. Use Band-Aids to learn about fairness

Tired of hearing kids whine, “But that’s not fair!”? Build students’ social awareness with teacher Aimee Scott’s fairness lesson. Her quick and simple exercise helps kids understand that fairness doesn’t mean everyone gets the same thing—it means everyone gets what they need to be successful.

Learn more: The Band-Aid lesson

31. Play a cooperative game

Kids get plenty of exposure to healthy (and unhealthy) competition, so use classroom time to shift the focus to cooperation instead. Cooperative games encourage kids to communicate, collaborate, and problem-solve together. Point out the skills they’re using during the cooperative games that will help them in relationships as well.

Learn more: Cooperative Games to Promote Camradery and Healthy Competition

32. Create collaborative art

Art is about expressing your individuality, but you can also make something pretty incredible when people pool their talents. Murals, hallway and bathroom displays, kindness rock gardens, and other art projects bring students together to bond over creativity and artistic vision.

Learn more: 50 Collaborative Art Projects

33. Engage in fishbowl discussions

Encourage active listening and communication skills with this classroom idea. After taking some time to think about a topic, a small group of students discusses the issue while other students watch and take notes. After a time, the teacher opens the discussion to the entire group, using notes they made while they watched the small-group discussion.

Learn more: How I use Fishbowl Discussions to Engage Every Student

34. Sticky-note discussions

Teacher Erin Castillo popularized this concept on her Instagram account , and now teachers everywhere use this idea. We love it as a unique way to take attendance or as a bell ringer/entry activity. All you do is post a question on your whiteboard, and ask students to respond (anonymously or with names attached) using sticky notes. You can use “Would You Rather” questions , or try these SEL prompts to really get students thinking and sharing.

35. Play board games

Whether kids are playing to win or working together to achieve a common goal, board games teach lots of decision-making skills. Players have to analyze information, consider their options, and imagine the impacts of their moves on themselves and others.

Learn more: 41 Best Board Games and Other Games

36. Discuss philosophical questions

One of the most incredible ways to encourage critical thinking and self-exploration is to ask kids thought-provoking questions. Hearing the responses and exchanging ideas can really expand our perspectives and leave us with important food for thought.

Learn more: 125 Philosophical Questions for Kids and Teens

37. Get a classroom pet

Want to teach kids about responsibility in an incredibly meaningful way? A class pet could be the answer! When kids work together to care for a hamster, goldfish, lizard, or tarantula(!), they have to make responsible choices about what’s best for the animal. Sure, it’s a challenge for the adults involved, but the benefits can really add up.

Learn more: Best Classroom Pets According to Teachers

38. Set up an escape room

Students love the interactivity of an escape room, where they have to work together to solve a series of problems before their time is up. Escape rooms encourage a lot of responsible decision-making skills, both individually and as a group.

Learn more: How to Set Up and Run a Classroom Escape Room

39. Use Choice Boards

If we want kids to make smart decisions, we’ve got to give them the chance to make choices on their own. One way to do this in the classroom is Choice Boards. These interactive tools give kids several options to choose from on an assignment. They can evaluate the possibilities, and choose the one that seems right to them.

Learn more: How I use Choice Boards to Increase Student Engagement

40. Teach safe online decision making

Let’s face it: Kids and teens aren’t necessarily focusing much on safety—their own or anyone else’s. So it’s important for the adults in their lives to help them learn why safe choices matter, and what they look like to begin with. We’ve got resources for talking to students about prescription drug safety , internet safety , bike safety , underage drinking , and inclusive sex ed .

41. Play Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) can be a fantastic classroom game, and it encompasses a wide range of social-emotional learning activities. Players need to work together, know their own strengths and weaknesses, make smart choices, and so much more.

Learn more: Teachers are Using D&D to Teach SEL Skills.

42. Talk about tough topics

School shootings, racially motivated violence, abortion, gun control—these are topics most teachers tend to shy away from in the classroom. The thing is, kids need a safe place to talk about these issues. They need adults who will help them sort out their thinking and separate fact from opinion. Students need to learn to respectfully disagree with one another and how to have constructive conversations that may lead to compromise.

Learn more: Our Students Want to Talk about Tough Topics

43. Read the news as a class

If you’re going to make smart decisions, you need to be informed. But many kids only learn about the news and current events from single news sources, usually whatever’s playing on their TV at home. Show students how to find a variety of sources to learn about current events. Teach them to think critically and evaluate articles to separate provable facts from opinion. Many teachers love using Newsela, since the articles can be differentiated for different reading levels.

Learn more: 9 Ways to Use Newsela with your Students

44. Have students reflect while they work

As students are working on math problems, have them jot down how they’re feeling at each step of the process. They can jot down emojis or words that show where they were confident, confused, distracted, or frustrated. This can be helpful when reviewing work and thinking about how their emotional state impacted their learning. 

45. Get inspired by SEL heroes

History is full of role models that students can learn from. Use these free character education posters to talk about the qualities you want students to emulate and how they’ve helped others in history. Assign students an SEL hero to research and present about so students can see how others have used SEL skills to change the world.

Learn more: Character Education Posters

46. SEL Superpowers

As students learn about social-emotional skills, encourage them to think about their SEL superpower, or the skills they are best at. Once students have identified their superpower, talk about how they can use their SEL superpowers to help others. To share your superpowers, draw superheroes, put students’ pictures on each one, and write about your SEL superpowers and how your students use them around school.

47. Get in the habit of gratitude

Use a bullet journal or list to reinforce gratitude. In younger classrooms, have students call out the things they are grateful for and create a class list. With older students, spend the last 5 minutes of each class or week reflecting on what they are grateful for. 

Learn more: Bullet Journal Ideas

48. Send home an SEL progress report

We love the idea of giving kids and their families feedback on their SEL skill development! An alternative progress report like the one this teacher uses can help kids zero in on their strengths and weaknesses.

Learn more: SEL Progress Report

What are your favorite social-emotional learning activities? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out 15 ways to teach kindness and gratitude..

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