Station Ideas for Science
Grades 2-5
Station
Number
1
2
3
4
7
8
10
11
14-15
26
Standard
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
Science
4.P.2.1
5.P.2
Science
3.L.1.1
5.L.1.2
Science
5.E.1.2
2.E.1.2
2.E.1.4
Science
5.E.1
2.E.1
Science
2.E.1.4
5.E.1.1
Science
5.E.1
2.E.1
Science
5.E.1
2.E.1
Grade
Level
Title and Description
3-5
Measuring Cups (C, oz, mL): Use the sand to measure the amounts on the orange paper.
When you have measured each amount put the containers in order from least to greatest.
Write the measurements in your notebook.
3-5
Rulers (cm): Use the centimeter scale on the ruler to measure each straw. Record the
lengths from greatest to least in your notebook.
3-5
Rulers (in): Use the inch scale on the ruler to measure each straw. Record the lengths from
least to greatest in your notebook.
3-5
Graduated Cylinders (mL): Put the containers in order from greatest to least. Write the
measurements in your notebook. Be very specific!
3-5
Balance Scale / Digital Scale (g): Weigh each item using both the balance scale and the
digital scale. Make a data table to record your data.
2-4
Droppers (Predictions): 1. Write down your prediction of how many drops of water the
square sponge will hold. Place a dry paper towel under the sponge. Use the dropper to
count the number of drops it will hold until it reaches its saturation limit (wets the paper
towel). Record the results.
2. Repeat the process with the rectangular sponge.
3-5
Tape Measure (in & cm): Measure the length and width of the table in both inches and
centimeters. Draw a picture and record the measurements for each in your notebook.
4-5
4-5
Thermometers (oF & oC): Fill in the temperatures labeled on the thermometer lab sheet.
Use the real thermometer to measure the temperature in the classroom in both degrees
Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius.
Properties of Matter: Glue the lab sheet into your notebook. Test each item for strength,
hardness, flexibility, attraction to a magnet, and reaction to water. Measure each items
length and width.
3&5
Human Skeleton: (1) Use the poster to identify each bone in the skeleton. Use the
appropriate color marker to color the specific bones indicated on the card.
5&2
Weather Stations: Follow the directions to build each part of a weather station; wind
vane, hygrometer, barometer, anemometer, and rain gauge.
5&2
Inflating Balloons: Use hot water to inflate a balloon.
5&2
Build a Thermometer: Make a thermometer with a bottle, straw, and colored water.
5&2
Cloud in a Bottle: Use air pressure and alcohol to create a cloud in a 2L bottle.
5&2
Power of Air: Break a paint stirrer using air pressure.
1
Science
5.E.1
2.E.1
25
5&2
Tornado Tube: Create a tornado in a bottle using a tornado tube and 2 2L bottles.
Science
5.P.1
3.P.1
5&3
Slingshot Cars: Use the two blocks of wood and the rubber band to create a slingshot for
the car. Measure the distance (cm) the car travels using one rubber band, two rubber
bands, and three rubber bands. Add nuts to the top of the car to increase the mass of the
car. Repeat the experiment.
Science
2.P.2.1
2
Chemistry “In the Bag”: Mix baking soda and vinegar in a Ziploc and observe the gas
created cause the bag to expand.
Science
2.P.2.1
2
Ice Cream “In the Bag”: Make ice cream using ice, rock salt, half & half, and sugar in Ziploc
bags.
Science
Fun
2
Insta Snow: Create fake snow!!
Science
2.P.2.1
2
Jello: Make jello gelatin.
Science
2.P.1.1
2
Sound Charades: Act out the activity listed on the card. Use body motions and sounds…no
words.
Science
2.P.1.1
2
Sound Eggs: Match the sound of mystery items.
Science
2.P.1.1
2
Sound Stations: 4 independent stations and 1 teacher led station with a focus on vibrations
creating sound.
Science
3.L.1.2
3
Skin Foldable: Create the layers of the skin foldable for taking notes.
Science
3.E.2.2
3
Landforms Model: Use clay to build a model of Earth’s major landforms.
Science
3.P.3.2
3
Heat Transfer (oC): Measure the temperature of cold water. Measure the temperature of
hot water. Combine. Measure the temperature of the combined water every 2 minutes
for 10 minutes.
Science
3.P.1.1
3
Huff & Puff: Using only one breath of air blow each object as far as it will go.
Science
3.L.2.4
3
Soil & Permeability: Test each type of soil for its permeability. Describe and draw each
soil type.
Science
3.E.1.1
3
Weight & Age in Space: Use the formula to determine your age and weight if you were on
another planetary object.
17
Science
4.P.1.1
4
18
Science
4.P.3.2
4
Electromagnet Computer Game: Record in your notebook the number of batteries and
coils needed to pick up the paper clips. Write it in the form of a number sentence. You
need 6 sentences.
Example: ___ batteries + ___ coils = ___ paper clips
Website: http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/electromagnets/
Books on Light: Choose a book. Write the title of the book and the author in your
notebook. Read the specified pages. When you are finished write 5 facts about light in
complete sentences.
2
19
Science
4.P.3.2
4
UV Beads: Choose 1 of each UV bead to make a necklace or bracelet. After you make it go
to the window for 30 seconds to watch the beads react to the sunlight.
20
Science
4.P.3.2
4
21
Science
4.P.1.1
4
22
Science
4.P.1.2
4
23
Science
4.P.3.2
4
27
Science
4.P.2.1
4
Float or Sink: Predict if objects will float or sink.
28-29
Science
4.P.2.2
4.P.2.3
4
Testing Rocks & Minerals: Test each sample for color, clarity, and hardness to determine
the name of each rock or mineral.
Light: Read pages F44-F47 in the text book.
In your notebook: 1. Write the definition for reflection and list 5 items that reflect light. 2.
Write the definition for refraction and list 5 items that refract light.
Books on Magnets: Choose a book. Write the title of the book and the author in your
notebook. Read the specified pages. When you are finished write 5 facts about magnets in
complete sentences.
Books on Electricity: Choose a book. Write the title of the book and the author in your
notebook. Read the specified pages. When you are finished write 5 facts about electricity
in complete sentences.
Light Bulb Investigation (oC): Make a hypothesis about the heat generated from an
incandescent bulb and a CFL bulb. Take the initial temperature of each thermometer in
Celsius. Place each desk lamp 10cm away from the thermometer. Turn on both lamps.
Record the change in temperature every 2 minutes for 10 minutes. Answer the question:
Which bulb generates the most heat?
Instinct vs. Learned Behavior: Divide the class into two teams. Divide the white
board…one side instinct, the other learned. Lay the cards out on a nearby table; each set
copied a different color. Have one student from each team run to their table and grab a
card. The student attaches the card to the board under the proper heading, returns to his
seat, and the next students goes. If students attach the card in the wrong place the
teacher returns the card to their pile on the table. The first team to place all their cards in
the correct location “wins”. There should also be discussion about some of the more
interesting ones or ones that seemed to have misconceptions.
Cause – Effect Quilt: Pass out the cards, one to each student. Have them walk around the
room and find their match. After all the students are matched read them aloud and
discuss. Assist if any corrections are needed. Have the students tie their cause and effect
together. All of them can be combined to create the quilt.
Science
4.L.1.2
4
Science
4.L.1.3
4
Science
4.P.2.1
4
Conductors/Insulators: Test each item for its ability to conduct electricity.
Science
All
4
EOY Memory: Review of general topics from the year.
Science
4.L.2.2
4
Investigating my Heart: Determine your heart rate while participating in several physical
activities.
Science
4.E.1.2
4
Moon Phases: Identify each moon phase, complete the moon phase diagram, label each
moon phase OREO drawing, and manipulate the cream inside an OREO to show the phases
of the moon.
Science
4.P.1.2
4
Lighting a Bulb: Use the supplies to demonstrate each set up. Does the bulb light?
Science
4.E.1.2
4
Oreo Moon Phases: Create moon phase models using Oreo cookies.
Science
4.P.3.2
4
Sun Catchers: Heat transparent pony beads to create sun catchers.
3
5
6
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
Lab Tools
Practice
Activity
5
Microscope: Using the diagram, correctly label the parts of the microscope.
5
Using the Microscope: Use the microscope to look at the slides. Draw what you observe.
Be sure to use color and add details to your scientific drawing.
Spring Scale (N): Weigh each item by hanging it from the Spring Scale. Record the mass of
the object using Newtons.
9
Science
5.P.1.1
5
12
Science
5.P.2.2
5
13
Science
5.P.2.2
5
16
Science
5.P.2.1
5.P.2.3
5
Discovery Education: Complete the Matter Fun-Damental and the worksheet.
24
Science
5.P.2.1
5
Making a Solar Still: Create a simulation of Earth and the water cycle.
30-32
Science
5.L.2.3
5
33
Science
5.L.2.1
5.L.2.2
5
Science
5.E.1.3
5
Climographs: Given the average precipitation and temperature for a nameless city in the
United States the students are able to identify the city.
Science
5.L.2
5
Ecosystem: I Have, Who Has?: Review of Ecosystems
Science
5.L.1.2
5
Human Body Systems: Using video clips from Discovery Education. Create a foldable that
has space for all the body systems. Take notes on the main purpose of each system and
the organs that make up the system.
Science
5.E.1.3
5
Hurricane Tracking: Track 3 major hurricanes that have made landfall in the United States.
Science
5.E.1.2
5
Reading the Weather Page: Use the weather page from the Charlotte Observer to answer
the questions.
5
Whole vs. Part (Chex Mix) (g): Weigh all of the Chex Mix. Separate the Chex Mix into like
groups. Record the weight of each individual group. Add the weights of the groups
together. Does the total weight of the groups equal the total amount of the Chex Mix?
Whole vs. Part (Legos) (g): Use the Legos to create a robot that weighs between 65 and 80
grams. Draw a sketch of the robot and record it’s exact weight. Take the robot apart and
weigh all the parts. Do all the parts still weigh what the original weight of your robot was?
(Pattern Blocks and Grocery Bag are explained earlier in this document.)
Science
5.P.2.2
Whole vs. Part (Pattern Blocks) (g): Glue the lab sheet into your notebook. Weigh each
block individually and record the weight. Create a design that weighs 50g. Draw and color
that design. Record how many of each block you used to create the design.
Whole vs. Part (Grocery Bag) (g): Glue the lab sheet into your notebook. Read the story
problem. Weigh each item in the grocery bag using the digital scale. Use the data you
gather to determine the weight of the grapes.
Food Webs: Sort the animals from each ecosystem into a proper food web. Draw the food
web in your notebook. Use arrows to show the correct transfer of energy. Don’t forget
the sun!!
Ecosystem Sort: Read each ecosystem poster. Sort the animals according to what
ecosystem they would most likely live. Make a table in your notebook. Pick 3 animals.
Give a brief explanation of why you placed that animal in that particular ecosystem.
“Centered” on Science
Rebecca Howerin Robison
rebecca.howerin@cms.k12.nc.us
4