Help me build a science lab...

[ellies mom]

Ellie is almost 5 and wants to be a scientist. She has been asking lately for a lab. Which is perfectly OK by me but I need suggestions on stocking it. She already has a magnifying glass and I've got a cool microscope picked out. She has a few magnets but they are lame and I'd like to get her some better ones. What else does a budding young scientist need for "free science" play? Free meaning not a set activity but more self-exploration.

So ladies (and gentlemen) please, help me brainstorm.

[cono0507]

A scale, ideally the old fashioned kind with two platforms and some weights?
Prisms and mirrors
flashlight or other light source
measuring tools (ruler, tape measure, measuring cups or beakers)
childproof thermometer?

still thinking...and i'll be watching this thread. what a great idea for free play! :)

[kedss]

maybe some good kid science books ? or field guides for birds, insects, trees,butterflies,seashells?

a good set of binoculars?

[gatorsmom]

What about some measuring cups? This is an EXCELLENT idea btw, and I will be watching this thread for ideas too!

[brittone2]

We just raised some butterflies from Insect Lore.

Thames and Kosmos http://www.thamesandkosmos.com/ and Tedco Toys http://www.tedcotoys.com/ both make interesting science kits/items. Maybe something there will be of interest?

DS has a prism. We do nature walks (can use a nature notebook/colored pencils if you think she'd like to document her observations). We have a bird feeder near our window where we eat breakfast and keep a bird identification book handy (has been really interesting to see DS learn to really look for the details that help you identify a bird book). We have a field guide for trees and do a lot of leaf identification in the fall (DS was really into this last year).

You could also look for a leaf/flower press to press samples.

Ditto binoculars.

Play with volume (you can get clear geometric "solids" that can be filled w/ liquids, etc. and compare cone, cylinder, etc.)

eta: maybe not as independent as you are looking for, but making "goop", "gack", "slime" etc....
we also have a preschool/elementary pan balance. Can take the mass of various things she finds, etc. that way, kwim?

[trales]

How about the Mr. Wizards world of science book. Great kid friendly exps.
Measuring cups
plastic beakers
slides for the microscope
baking soda and vinegar
safety googles
rubber apron
gloves
Collection boxes for bugs - plastic or mason jars with lids
collander for sieving soils and stuff
kids ID books, bugs, birds, animals, trees
animal foot casting kit
finger print/ forensic kit for kids
Field jacket for outdoor exploration
binoculars
measuring tape
press for drying flower and leaf samples (basically thick paper, and bricks for wood and screws)
Tote or backpack for field use
Shallow pan for collected aquatic inverts

I would look on the museum of science website and other places and then try to copy some of the items cheaper using kitchen supplies and other things. I will think of more things. I had a great science lab when I was little. When I get into the lab on Monday I will see what we have and what can be made "kid friendly".

[gatorsmom]

How about the Mr. Wizards world of science book. Great kid friendly exps.

I would look on the museum of science website and other places and then try to copy some of the items cheaper using kitchen supplies and other things. I will think of more things. I had a great science lab when I was little. When I get into the lab on Monday I will see what we have and what can be made "kid friendly".

This is excellent. Thank you so much. I think I'd have as much fun with this stuff as DCs.

btw, where can I buy all this stuff?

[cvanbrunt]

How about rain gauge and an outdoor thermometer and barometer?
National Geographic makes some great kits for a variety of ages that are longer projects.
A chemistry set.
A rock tumbler.
You could make rock candy to learn about crystals.

[swrc00]

What a cool idea and what an awesome thing for a kid to be interested in at 5! I would think a teacher's store would have a lot of things you are looking for. It probably won't be cheap though. Good Luck!

[trales]

I will do some research this weekend, but I think you can get most of this stuff really cheap if you do not buy it through a teacher or science museum store. I would look at the products you like and try to copy them through target's kitchen supply and geology supply stores. This is the kind of internet seaching I love to do. The inner science geek in me is all geared up.

[squimp]

Great idea. My daughter has two scientist parents, and of course wants to be a fairy or perhaps a guinea pig when she grows up. She has gone through little phases of wanting to do experiments (putting things in the freezer and fridge and then "hypothesizing" what would happen). Here are a few ideas.

Tree, flower or bird identification book
Spoons, plastic tweezers, plastic bottles, ziploc bags for collecting specimens
pH paper - always fun :)
little lab coat (one of mom's white buttondowns would work too)
little vest with pockets for field work
thermometer
love the weather station idea - with a rite-in-the-rain notebook to write down observations

Ben Meadows and Forestry Supplies are where some scientists get their materials. One important thing that scientists do is write down their observations and make drawings of what they see, so that is perfect for kids. You might even try graphing some of her observations (morning temperatures or when different plants in the yard or neighborhood drop their leaves).

[ellies mom]

Thanks everybody!! I got some great ideas. We do a lot of science "experiments" but I wanted to get things that she could use to "explore" on her own. I am working on the whole "notebook" concept but we aren't quite there yet. Her dad is (and I used to be) an electronic tech and we are science geeks in general plus I just finished taking the A&P series so she is all about science.

I didn't think of a prism or a balance scale. A lab coat would be really cute. And living in the Pacific Northwest, a rain gauge will definitely see some use.

Oh, and a fun little project is to get Queen's Anne Lace and do the "carnation in colored water" project. They come out really pretty. I like to follow the links off The Crafty Crow (http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/) to find all sorts of fun ideas for both crafts and "experiments".

Thanks again and keep the ideas coming. I'm off to investigate balances...

ETA- The microscope I want to to get Ellie is called a Blister Microscope (http://www.blistermicroscope.com/). It can be used to see 3-D objects as well as slides. It is very simple to use to perfect for a child. I saw it at OMSI and I've been wanting to get it for her ever since. It runs about $75.