Short Science Labs

Recommended Grade Level: Middle School

We have compiled several short labs that could be completed as a class demonstration, or for those days where you don't have enough time to dedicate the entire class to experiments. From forensic science to life sciences, SKS Science has great ways to educate and captivate your class!

While these labs are very safe, adult supervision is necessary for all labs, and in some cases, safety protection such as gloves and goggles may be needed.

Forensic Lab: Fluorescence

This demo is great for schools that have a blacklight available: Place 2.0 cm³ of a soil sample into a petri dish. Have your students make observations about the physical characteristics of the soils, such as color, types of particles and the size of particles. Then, determine the presence of fluorescence in this soil by using a blacklight! Make your observations a class discussion that leads into your lesson about forensic science. For additional information and lab ideas, visit our Forensic Book section and check out all of the great books we offer for this subject!

Life Science Lab: Water Traveling

For a simple demonstration that your students can easily observe, try this water traveling experiment. Cut a celery stalk lengthwise to just below the leaves. Put each half in separate 500 ml beakers containing water and food coloring. One beaker should contain water and red food coloring, the other should contain water and blue food coloring. You should allow the celery to sit in the colored water overnight. Have your students observe how the veins in the leaves change color once the colored water has traveled up the stalk. Discuss these results with your class, including a full explanation of capillary action. This is also a great lab that can easily and safely be done at home as a science fair project!

Biology Lab: Growing Sprouts

Growing sprouts can be a fun experiment for the whole class! This experiment can be done with students of all ages, and works best with younger elementary and middle schoolers. It can be done as a class, in groups, or individually (and it is one of the few edible experiments). You will need 1/2 cup of beans (such as mung, lentil, navy, etc.), one screw top jar for each student and some clear water. Be sure to poke holes in the lid of your jars for your students. Wash the beans and soak them in water overnight. Drain the beans, place in your jar, and put in a dark area. Rinse the beans two or three times a day, always returning the jar to a dark place. After a few days, move your jar to an area of sunlight. You should soon have bean sprouts ready to eat!

Fun Science: Sparking Lifesavers

This is a tasty lab that everyone is sure to enjoy! Another edible lab, this activity requires Wintergreen Lifesavers® (must have sugar) and a very dark room. Once you have situated your students in the darkened room (windowless rooms are the best for this activity), you should bite or "crunch" the Lifesaver between your teeth with your mouth open and have your students look for the green sparks! You could distribute Wintergreen Lifesavers to the entire class and have students pair up and watch green sparks fly! These "sparks" are caused when the sugar crystals fracture, a phenomena know as triboluminescence. The electrical charge created by the sugar crystal breaking becomes slightly visible in the darkened room.

Note: This activity is not suitable for individuals with dental issues

Wrapping It Up

These science class activities could be a great way to expose your students to a wide range of labs, in short periods of time. If time allows, these labs could easily be done by individual students or by groups of students, but are very effective even when done as a whole class. At SKS Science, we aim to not only offer you some of the best scientific equipment available, but to help you enrich your student's science class experiences.

By accessing this website, you agree not only to the Terms & Conditions set forth by SKS Science Products, but you also agree that SKS Science Products shall not be held liable for any of its users actions. Science experiment results may vary and should always be done with adult supervision.

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