Online Science Degrees

Curiosity regarding the machinations and nuances of the world remains one of the universal hallmarks of childhood – transcendent of nation, race, gender, socioeconomic bracket, and even time itself. Kids want to explore and understand how things work and interact with one another, and simplified interpretations of the sciences offer them one route towards forming a broader perspective of the concepts that propel the universe. Even children more predisposed towards the arts can satiate their desire to piece together bits of data and information using simple experiments conducted with cheap supplies found around the typical home.

Science fairs remain common events across schools worldwide, challenging students to discover as much as they can about biology, astronomy, chemistry, physics, technology, and other essential inquiries into how everything from a single-celled organism to the most magnanimous galaxy operate. Aside from the obvious advantages to broadening knowledge regarding the aforementioned subjects, these science projects also nurture critical thinking skills, teach proper safety and experimental protocol, and develop logic. Beyond the classroom, parents interested in entertaining their children in a way that stimulates and educates can provide the supervision and supplies necessary to conduct science experiments at home. Always be sure to read over the safety advice and disclaimers on the following websites – though children remain the target audience and the experiments are designed to maximize their well-being without minimizing their education, taking the proper precautions at all times prevents injuries of all types. Conducting these science experiments at home also helps teach children the values of self-preservation and safety in all aspects of their lives.

1. Science Kids at Home : The fun projects on Science Kids at Home blend creativity with science to create their own stretchy clays and polymers, build robots and sundials, and discover how sound works with a simple lyre made from a cardboard box and rubber bands. Beyond the artistic aspect, there are also experiments involving air pressure, temperature, and even observing the beautiful transition between caterpillar and butterfly. They offer 22 projects in total, touching upon some of the most basic elements of a broad variety of disciplines.

2. All Science Fair Projects : Over 500 science fair projects and ideas populate this site, divided into the appropriate grade levels as well as subject. Students from elementary all the way through high school can find a broad selection of experiments, including math, engineering, and computer science alongside the subjects more commonly represented at science fairs. They also provide extensive information regarding the scientific method and places and events for students to show off their research.

3. Science With Me : Science With Me requires an easy, free, and painless membership in order to access most of the experiments. Much of the site devotes itself to a younger crowd and encourages parents to explore the scientific themes together with their children. In addition to the extensive list of projects asking some very basic scientific questions, the site also provides a bevy of helpful worksheets, games, and animations to educate, entertain, and further supplement the research available in their intelligent, jargon-free experiments.

4. Reeko’s Mad Scientist Lab : This extremely engaging website channels the mad scientist archetype to teach children about everything from how to make their own clouds to Bernoulli’s Principle. A staggering array of experiments and projects with varying degrees of difficulty can be found here, some of which come with supplementary information especially for teachers and parents. Reeko also provides visitors with news, forums, a glossary, book reviews, lists of other resources, and numerous games, coded messages, science fair tips, and Easter Eggs to help stimulate an interest in all the sciences.

5. Super Science Fair Projects, Ideas, Topics, and Experiments : Super Science Fair couples a broad selection of project ideas as well as inexpensive kits. Using the myriad resources and advice available, this website helps kids create their own projects based on their interests and skill level. It also provides helpful information on how science fairs work for the benefit of participants and their parents and teachers. A special section is also available for those homeschooling their children.

6. Easy Kids Science Experiments : Divided by grade and subject, this site also creates a delineation between fun experiments to be conducted at home and the more intensive ones appropriate for a science fair or similar event. They sell a few kits via eBay, but they are not necessarily required to execute some of the projects. Even Pre-K and Kindergarten students earn recognition alongside older students, with several free worksheets and simple experiments tailored for their level.

7. Science Buddies : Resources for students, parents, and teachers alike dominate this award-winning site that introduces readers from middle through high school to the wonders of science and technology. Their “Topic Selection Wizard” assists in finding the best fit for a science fair project – or even research at home as a healthy and enlightening hobby. Many experiments incorporate common interests such as photography, video games, cooking, and sports as well, making sure that everyone can find something relevant to their lives.

8. Discovery Education : The beloved, respected, and popular Discovery Channel offers over 100 projects, prompts, timelines, and even digital labs for students to prepare stellar science fair projects for school as well as the national events and contests posted on the site. Experiments are divided into whether they involve investigation or invention, and while Discover does offer many projects, it also provides information on how students can design and develop their own inquiries using the scientific method.

9. Cool Science Projects : An exhaustive resource, Cool Science Projects offers everything kids and parents need to know about how to create a provocative, intelligent science fair project that turns heads. Information on how scientific reports come together round out the main theme of the site. Beyond that, extremely simple projects for small children are available, peeking into the very basics of cognition, biology, and physics.

10. Hey! LHS Kids : Presented by the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California at Berkeley, Hey! LHS Kids presents games, quizzes, sound bites, photos, and videos alongside pleasantly illustrated experiments. The projects tie into real-world issues, ranging in severity from oil spills to cleaning pennies. In addition, each project comes paired with suggestions for many other activities as well as further reading, fun facts, and links to other resources.

11. Science is Fun in the Lab of Shakhashiri : University of Wisconsin-Madison chemistry professor Bassam Shakhashiri hosts informative and interesting lessons regarding elements, chemicals, and other aspects of his field – he even devotes an entire section of his site to water. His 25 easy and fun home experiments focus on the fundamentals of chemistry, and the available articles and other resources tie straight into the information gleaned through them.

12. Neuroscience for Kids : The University of Washington introduces kids to the principles of neuroscience and brain functioning through a heavily detailed series of experiments and lessons appropriate for execution in the home. News and information regarding the field sit alongside virtual question and answer sessions as a means of supplementing what children learn through their projects. They even host a poetry contest for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, with the subject matter pertaining somehow to the brain or neuroscience discipline.

13. MadSciNet : Appealing to children’s fascinations with mad scientist characters, this delightful, fun site offers up a wide variety of experiments appropriate for science fairs as well as home explorations. The culinary minded may find “The Edible/Inedible Experiments Archive” of particular interest, as some of the projects may result in food or drink products safe for consumption. Some even involve using candy as a type of dye in an art project!

14. Hunkin’s Experiments : Hunkin’s hosts over 200 experiments for kids, categorized by type. Ever the prankster, the site’s owner Tim Hunkin placed one fake activity in the bunch for readers to find. In a unique twist to the usual presentations, each of the featured projects here are presented using whimsical cartooning illustrating the steps. This helps interested readers who learn better when visuals accompany instructions better grasp the concepts and principles behind the experiments.

15. The Science Explorer : San Francisco’s world famous Exploratorium offers children a wide range of fun projects catering to their diverse interests. From brainteasers to balloons to a mold terrarium, no matter where a child’s strengths or skills lay he or she can still find something appealing. For parents whose children seem particularly enthralled by their intelligent, easy, and fun activities, the museum also sells two books expanding upon the already detailed information found on their site.

16. Try Science : This excellent resource – perfect for teachers and homeschooling parents – compiles information on museums and other scientific institutions around the world. It even provides virtual field trips, hosting activities sponsored by universities and other organizations. The experiments themselves come accompanied by animations and sound, but visitors must sit through a small demonstration before receiving the actual directions.

17. Science Bob : Science Bob offers quick, fun instructions for a number of experiments, and finishes off his instructions with a brief explanation of the principles at work as well as questions on different variables to attempt. Further experiments can be found on the video portion of the site for those interested in watching scientific concepts in action and playing along at home. The site also hosts a bevy of wonderful resources regarding science fair projects and research for reports as well.

18. A Science Odyssey : PBS presents a website that serves as both a resource on experimentation as well as an overview on the scientists and discoveries that shaped the twentieth century. Games and comics reinforce the lessons learned through activities, and the website allows users to download them for offline use. One of the more intriguing projects involves looking at how doctors over different time periods would treat the same illness.

19. Steve Spangler Science : Some of the supplies needed to conduct the experiments featured on Steve Spangler Science cannot be found around the average home and must be purchased. Fortunately, the site sells a wide variety of merchandise handy for science fair projects and classroom demonstrations. An excellent video section provides even more interesting and fun projects to attempt at home – and the ones too dangerous for the kitchen or backyard still remain informative and entertaining.

20. Fun Science Gallery : Frequently overlooked sciences such as linguistics and recycling receive their due on this intelligent website, which also works towards blurring the line between art and science. Skewed towards an older demographic, readers learn how to calculate readability, build herbariums and Paleolithic lighters, draw DNA from fruit, and write in cuneiform – among others. One of the more intriguing activities involves analyzing the very basic physics of old folk toys.

21. fatlion.com : A few readers may find themselves more drawn in by the discussions regarding radio-controlled sail planes, but those needing science projects will be greeted by simple, cheerful projects dissecting the principles behind some common experiments. Each project comes with a quick summary of how they operate as well as a blip as to how much of a mess concerned parents can expect.

22. Science for Kids : This fun and informative site packs photos, news, games, videos, quizzes, and articles alongside an extensive list of experiments to conduct at home. Some of the results even make for nice gifts, such as invisible ink and bath salts – there are even instructions on making lemon soda at home. Under the “Lessons” tab, teachers and parents who homeschool can find inspiration for how to further their children’s science education.

23. McREL’s Accessible Science Series : Every one of McREL’s projects has been tailored to the National Science Education Standards. Some of the excitement they have to offer includes an “Air Cannon” and a “Fire Sandwich,” so full parental supervision is absolutely necessary. In addition, they invite readers to sign up for updates regarding educational and scientific advances as well.

24. Nye Labs : Bill Nye the Science Guy, the always affable children’s show host, opens up his virtual lab for fans to further explore the themes presented on the program. Visitors are treated to e-cards, an episode guide, and a question and answer page in addition to great experiments hitting the three broadest forms of science that gradually become more specific. Parents may especially appreciate the dedication page to Nye’s hero and predecessor, Don “Mr. Wizard” Herbert.

25. Kids DO Science : Hosted by the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Kids DO Science offers children the chance to understand and explore science as it relates to ecosystems. Biology, chemistry, and ecology factor into all of their featured experiments, which teaches them about the delicate balance between life and the environment surrounding it. They also offer an impressive selection of information on the scientific method as well as games and other science-related activities to underscore the lessons learned through the projects.

Whether kids, teachers, and parents decide to utilize these resources for science fairs or a way to pass a lazy weekend afternoon, they provide a myriad of ways to blend science, entertainment, and occasionally art in the interest of provoking an interest in the universe and its inner workings. By instilling a curiosity of the sciences in children, it helps them develop and hone critical thinking, logic, and personal safety skills necessary for their adult lives.