Science & Discovery
is a very hands-on area. It provides materials for children to discover, explore,
evaluate and draw conclusions. This
area leaves room for many centers that open the door to literacy. The centers consist of on going research that focuses on
instruction, sequencing, classifying and recording. The children will be able to work together to find out what
it feels like to be a scientist. Literacy
skills are practiced as children evaluate and reflect on different
science activities they are engaged in. They
will have opportunities to read charts, and write observations.
Children can journal their findings and discoveries, and practice
making predictions and inferences, which are critical in developing
comprehension skills used in reading.
related centers can be incorporated in this area and are flexible.
Two common examples are a sensory center and an observation
center. These two centers
leave a lot of flexibility to change what is observed or discovered
according to the theme.
In the science/discovery area children are able to explore new topics of interest, learn about
the world around them, and develop their problem solving skills. They get to
WONDER about things! They practice observation skills using their
five sense, learn about cause and effect, making predictions, and begin
to learn some basic science concepts.
A science area can be set up pretty much anywhere. Space next to a window
would provide light for growing seeds for different science activities. A place to put books that will compliment your science/discovery center is a
wonderful addition to this center. Consider hanging low shelves on
the wall or placing a shelf unit in this area for books or other science
items. If you will be performing actual experiments in this center
a nearby water source is ideal.
equipment you need for this area depends on the kinds of activities
you wish to offer. Some science/discovery areas are more of just
an observation type center so you may wish to have a display table,
aquarium, and various clear containers for specimens. Other
science/discovery areas may have more hands on activities that require a work
table or more options for exploration. If you combine the science
area with a discovery area you may want to include a sand/water table. Something that can be filled with dirt, sand, and other messy materials.
Stock your science/discovery area with anything you can find that deals with science, exploring the
senses, and the natural world. Decide how you will display
items, some programs have them out all the time other choose to rotate
items relevant to their units of study. You can create specific centers
and rotate materials weekly or monthly. Here are some ideas for things
you may wish to put in a science/discovery area:
Nature Items - rocks, feathers, birds nests, eggs, wasp hives,
shells, seeds etc.
Seasonal Items- apples, pumpkins, leaves, snow, ice, flowers, etc.
Small Pets- hamsters, snakes, mice, fish, etc.
Ultimate Bug Viewer
Root Viewer Garden by Toysmith
Group Magnetic Wand Kit
GeoSafari Talking Microscope
Spark Talking Bug Identifier
MAGNIFYING GLASS 4 DIAMETER
Life Cycle Posters (Set of 4)
POSTER SET EARTH SCIENCE
POSTER SET PHYSICAL SCIENCE
*Play-dough and other
sensory stimulating materials should be available daily! Things like oobleck,
sand clay, bubbles, and other
hands on materials provide children with loads of opportunities to
develop their thinking and language skills.
provide many opportunities for scientific learning in your science/discovery
area. Consider trying some of the following activities in your
Grow Grass Seeds: Let the
children help you plant grass seeds in a large container. Have
the children predict what will happen, what do the seeds need to grow?
How long will it take? Children can help water the seeds with a
spray bottle filled with water. Observe what happens to the
Plant Marigold Seeds and Sun Flower
Ask the children to observe the seeds. How are
they alike/different. Which will grow first? Observe and
document what happens to the seeds. The children can assist in
planting and caring for the seeds.
Observe an Insects Life Cycle: Order
some caterpillars or tadpoles and observe their life cycles. Visit http://www.insectlore.com/
- you can order live bugs from
them and many other science related items!!!!
Observe Insects: Collect some
bugs from outdoors in a bug container. Observe their behavior,
describe their appearance.
Invent Something: Fill the
science/discovery center with old electronic equipment (that is safe)
and let the children take them apart with child sized tools and create
their own inventions!
Weather Station: Set up a weather
observation station in your room so the children can practice making
observations, recording data, and analyzing information. Provide a WEATHER LEARNING CHART - 17in. x 22in. - 1 piece
and dress for the weather bulletin board Carson Dellosa MR. AND MRS. WEATHER BEAR - 1 board.
Observe Nature: Collect a
variety of nature items for the children to observe? What do
they see? How are they alike? Different? What else can be
learned about them? How could they be sorted?
Provide books, charts and posters when
ever possible to extend the learning on specific topics.
Try some of the science experiments from
some of the many science books that are available.