Physical Science Explored Elementary: Activity Supply List
Below is a list of lab supplies needed for each lesson in Physical Science Explored Elementary (Level A). For our elementary science classes we try to keep specialty lab supplies to a minimum in order to make the class and activities accessible for all families.
Week 1: Curious Minds: Exploring Physical Science
25 dull, dirty pennies
5 glass bowls or beakers
Water
Dish soap
Vinegar
Salt
Ketchup
Paper towel
Week 2: Discovering Matter
4 different types of crackers
Week 3: The Building Blocks of Matter
Various household items
Week 4: The Power of the Periodic Table
Piece of cardboard approx 45 in. x 35 in.
11 flat-bottomed, cardboard egg cartons
Scissors or craft knife
Kilz® white paint
Paintbrush
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Week 5: Three Faces of the Periodic Table: Metals, Nonmetals, & Metalloids
Cardboard and egg carton periodic table from the previous lesson
Blue, yellow, and green paints
Paintbrush
Marker or pen
Week 6: Decoding the Periodic Table: Understanding Element Boxes
Cardboard and egg carton periodic table from the previous lesson
Cardstock
Scissors
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Week 7: Molecular Connections
For atoms, choose 3 of the following:
- Grapes
- Blueberries
- Mini-marshmallows
- Cheese Cubes
- Gummy snacks
- Or other small food items
For connecting atoms, choose one of the following:
- Toothpicks
- Pretzel sticks
- Or another item you’ll use to connect atoms
Week 8: Bonding Basics: How Atoms Stick Together
Week 9: Chemical Reactions in Action
Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) (available in de-icing products)
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
Water
2 clear plastic or glass containers (small beakers, bowls, or plastic cups)
1 T measuring spoon
1 c measuring cup
Stirring stick or spoon
Safety goggles and gloves (recommended)
Week 10: Reacting to Change: The Conservation of Mass
Baking soda
Vinegar
2 identical 16-20 oz plastic bottles
2 balloons
Funnel
Measuring spoon and cup
Week 11: The Power of pH
1 head of red cabbage
Knife and cutting board
Pot and stovetop
Water
Strainer
Large bowl
7 clear cups, glasses, or bowls
Spoon
¼ cup measuring cup
1 teaspoon measuring spoon
1 Tablespoon measuring spoon
Liquids for testing:
- Water
- Milk
- Cola
- Dish soap
Week 12: Solubility Secrets
3 clear cups or jars
3 teaspoons of salt
1 cup measuring cup
1 teaspoon measuring spoon
Spoon
Water
Timer
Week 13: Physics in Action: Understanding Motion
Scavenger hunt list with motion-related objects or activities
Pen or pencil
Notebook
Week 14: Forces at Work
Toy car
Rubber band
Mug
Door
Ball
Drawer
Book
Week 15: Gravity: The Force That Keeps Us Grounded
Marble or small ball
Cardboard tubes (e.g., paper towel or toilet paper rolls)
Scissors
Masking tape or duct tape
A large, sturdy flat surface such as cardboard or wooden board
Plastic cups or small containers
Ruler (optional, for measuring inclines)
Week 16: Friction Forces
Ramp: a smooth board at least 3 to 4 feet long and 6 to 12 inches wide
Several books
Sandpaper
Felt
Aluminum foil
Wax paper
Tape
Toy car
Tape measure or ruler
Week 17: The Rules of Motion: Newton’s First and Second Laws
13 popsicle sticks
Rubber bands
Plastic spoon
Mini marshmallows
Ruler or tape measure
Week 18: The Power of Opposites: Newton’s Third Law
1 16-20 oz empty plastic bottle
Vinegar (½ cup per launch)
Baking soda (1 tablespoon per launch)
Tissue paper (to make a baking soda packet)
Cork or rubber stopper (fits snugly in the bottle opening)
3 new pencils
Duct tape
Measuring cups and spoons
Safety goggles (recommended)
Optional: Cardboard or foam for fins, construction paper for decorations, scissors, markers
Week 19: Simple Machines, Awesome Power!
Various household supplies are needed. Below is a list of possible ideas.
Wooden sticks, pencils, or straws
Rubber bands
Cardboard or foam board
Small plastic cups
Paper clips
Scissors, tape, glue, or a glue gun
Blocks
Modeling clay or playdough
Bottle caps or lids
Buttons
String or yarn
Week 20: Energy in Action
Pizza box
Aluminum foil
Clear plastic wrap
Black construction paper
Tape
Utility knife
Ruler
Marshmallows (or other food item to cook)
Week 21: Energy on the Move
3 identical rubber bands
Ruler
Masking tape
Week 22: Feel the Heat: Understanding Temperature & Thermal Energy
3 clear glasses or jars
Water
Food coloring
Week 23: Heat in Action
Toaster
Piece of bread
Butter knife
Butter
Week 24: Invisible Waves: Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Large butcher paper, poster board, or a long roll of paper
Markers or colored pencils
Rulers
Scissors
Tape or glue
Printouts or magazine cutouts of real-world examples (optional)
Week 25: The Science of Light
Flashlight
Piece of cardboard
Sharp pencil or pen
White paper or white wall
Small mirror
Week 26: Unlocking the Rainbow
Markers (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple)
Scissors
Cardboard or sturdy cardstock
Glue
Needle
String
Week 27: Waves of Wonder
Empty toilet paper roll
Empty paper towel roll
2 rubberbands
Wax paper
Scissors
Week 28: Powered Up
Plastic ruler (or a balloon)
Wool cloth or your own dry hair
Tissue paper or thin printer paper
Week 29: Electricity in Motion
Aluminum foil
Scissors
Scotch tape
D-cell battery
Small light bulb (like one from a flashlight)
Week 30: Magnetism: The Invisible Force
Bar magnet
A bin of mixed items, such as:
- Paperclip
- Wooden pencil
- Aluminum foil
- Key
- Penny
- Nail
- Stone
- Wooden block
- Plastic spoon
- Steel spoon
- Rubber eraser
- Rubber band
- Small toy car
- Cotton ball
- Aluminum can
- Coin
- Screw
- Clothespin
- Button
- Piece of cardboard
- Plastic bottle cap
- Mason jar
- Mason jar lid
