Science for Homeschoolers

Science is an important subject for children to learn, and sometimes it can be helpful when they can roll up their sleeves to really experience the subjects that are being taught. Our water testing experiments are a great way to make science fun and easier to understand. These projects not only help to reinforce the topic of scientific method but also why it is so important to take care of the earth’s natural resources.

The best part about these science experiments is that you can do them anytime, and they require very little equipment. All you need is our 4 Pack School & Experiment Kit or the Classroom Kit With TDS Meter and some water samples. You can choose from one of the projects listed here or others on our blog, or let your imagination be your guide and come up with your own hypothesis to test.

Hands-On Science Projects Helps Kids Learn

Not only do kids relate better to hands-on learning, but studies show that it can help stimulate brain growth. This is because when kids are able to put what they learn into practice, they gain a better understanding of the concepts. It also helps them develop their problem-solving skills and improve their critical thinking abilities.

Science is more than just the study of facts. It is also about engaging with the world around us, testing ideas and explanations. Much of the scientific theory that is taught today is based on what was learned from science experiments. Water testing science projects promote scientific thinking and problem-solving. They give children a chance to ask questions, create hypotheses, and test theories to better understand the world around them.

A Science Experiment for Kids: Testing Homemade Water Filters

Imagine if you had a natural disaster that compromised the local water supply. This is a real possibility for many people who live in hurricane and storm-prone areas. In such an emergency, your only source of water may not be safe to drink, forcing you to make a water filter with supplies you have on hand. If you don’t have a supply of clean water, would you be able to improvise and use common household materials to filter water to make it safe to drink? In this experiment, we chose a few homemade water filters that were suggested online to see which one did the best job at filtering dirty water.

For this science project, testing homemade water filters, all you need is a School and Science Fair Test Kit from TestAssured, some dirty water, and a few common household items for filters. We decided to use a paper towel, cotton, and a microfiber cloth as our filters. Click here to see instructions for the full experiment.

Fun Fall Science Project with Leaves

With cooler temperatures and fall on the horizon, this science experiment celebrates fall. As the seasons change, we find ourselves admiring the brightly colored leaves, so we decided to see how different leaves would impact our water samples. Our hypothesis was that different leaves would have different chemical and mineral qualities that would change the composition of the water. While this was true for some of the tests, one test, in particular, had some pretty surprising results.

To prepare for this test, head outside and gather some leaves or even some grass. Two of the leaves we chose were still fresh and green, but we did find a nice, pretty yellow leaf. With the help of the internet, we were able to identify our leaves as Oak, Southern Catalpa, and Magnolia. In addition to your leaves, you will also need a School and Science Fair Test Kit from TestAssured, which has all the tools and equipment that you will need to perform the water tests. More details for our leaf experiment can be found here.

Fishy Water Science Project

I think the part kids enjoy most about this project is getting to pick out which fishy water they’re going to test. We took a trip to our local pet store and asked if we could take a few samples from their fish tanks for an experiment. They were very helpful and explained some of the differences we might find in the water samples. Originally, we had planned to test water from different fish but ended up with samples from a variety of species. Our twelve-year-old picked out samples from Black Mussel Snails, African Dwarf Frogs, and Red Zebra Cichlids. Once you have your water samples, the only other equipment you need is a water testing kit from TestAssured. Then you will have everything you need for an easy science experiment that your kids will enjoy. Click here full the full experiment.

Does Movement in Water Affect Its Composition?

Movement is an essential part of a healthy body of water. In large bodies of water, this is caused by gravity and can be seen as a tide or current. Smaller bodies of water can be moved by the wind or plant and animal life. Even your tap water is moved mechanically from its source to the faucet. If movement is beneficial for water, can additional movement improve your water? We decided to test this theory using our water testing kit.

This science project involves testing tap water samples that have been moved in a blender for different amounts of time. This is an excellent science fair experiment that can be performed at different settings, for different times, to produce a variety of results. You can find all the details to perform this experiment here.

Put Science to the Test

These are just a few examples of educational science projects you can incorporate into your homeschooling plan. Science experiments are a great way to test the skills and knowledge your children are learning. They also give kids an opportunity to exercise their curiosity. Projects like these are a great way for students to apply what they are learning to real-world concerns.

Testing code for colors. This is an example of white text. While white is nice, it is not readable. Testing code for colors. This is an example of white text. While white is nice, it is not readable. Testing code for colors. This is an example of white text. While white is nice, it is not readable. Testing code for colors. This is an example of white text. While white is nice, it is not readable. Testing code for colors. This is an example of white text. While white is nice, it is not readable. Testing code for colors. This is an example of white text. While white is nice, it is not readable. Testing code for colors. This is an example of white text. While white is nice, it is not readable.

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With TestAssured’s 4 Test Kit Set for Schools and Science Fairs, you can test samples of toilet water and compare them to a control sample of regular tap water. This set includes 4 test kits and can be used by students in third through twelfth grade to perform school science experiments like this one.

Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies:

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• Disposable plastic cups
• Paper towels

Preparation

To prepare for the tests, you’ll need to gather your water samples.  We used tap water for the control and two toilet water samples. We decided to test the toilet water before and after cleaning.  Here are the three samples you need to collect:

1. Tap water for your control
2. Toilet water before cleaning
3. Toilet water after cleaning

Children should be supervised while collecting toilet water samples.  We found that one of the easiest ways to collect toilet water samples was to dip a plastic cup into the water and insert it into another cup to catch any drips.  As an extra precaution, you may want to wear a pair of disposable gloves while conducting this experiment.  We typically do our water test experiments in the kitchen, but for sanitary reasons, we completed this test in the bathroom.

Now is a good time to label your vials and write your water sources in the results notebook.

Testing

The first test you want to start with is for total dissolved solids, using the TDS meter.  The meter will not fit in the test vials, so it is easier to complete this part of the experiment while your samples are still in the plastic cups.  To perform the TDS test, simply turn on the meter and submerge the prongs in the samples. Rinse the meter with clean water between each test. Record your results in the results notebook.  When you have finished the TDS testing, it is a good idea to dip the meter in some bleach water to sanitize it.

After completing the TDS test, you will need to pour your samples into the vials you labeled.  Do this over a sink and be sure to wipe up any spills, so you don’t contaminate the test strips.

Before you get started with the tests, now is a good time to make some visual observations. Take notes about how clear or cloudy your samples look.  Are there any visible particles floating in any of the samples?  These observations can be written in the “Notes” on the last page of the results notebook.

Now you’re ready to get started with the rest of the tests. It’s easiest to work with one sample at a time.  Follow these instructions to complete the remaining tests.

Alkalinity/pH/Hardness Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “ALK/pH/Hard”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample for one second and remove
4. Hold the test strip level and wait 10 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for alkalinity, pH, and hardness
6. Record your results in the results notebook

Total Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “CL/CO/NA/NI”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample three times and remove – DO NOT SHAKE OFF EXCESS WATER
4. Hold the test strip level for 2 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for chlorine and copper
6. Wait 45 seconds before reading the results for nitrate and nitrite
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Iron Test (Complete this test last)

1. Remove one iron reagent tablet from the foil packet and place in test vial (the reagent could alter the results of other tests which is why the iron test is completed last)
2. Place the cap on the test vial and shake for approximately one minute, until the tablet is completely dissolved
3. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “Iron Test”
4. Dip the strip in the sample for 2 seconds
5. Shake the strip once and wait 60 seconds
6. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for iron
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Repeat all three tests for each of your samples.  When you are finished don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and water.

Results

Now that you have completed each of the four tests on your three samples, it’s time to look at your results.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Was there a difference between the toilet water before and after it was cleaned?
• How did the toilet water samples compare to the tap water sample?
• Do you think it’s harmful for dogs to drink toilet water?
• What results did you find the most surprising?

Record your answers on the “Notes” page.  You can use clear tape to fix the test sticks to the color charts to display your results for your science fair project.

The post Find Out What’s in Your Toilet Water with This Easy Experiment appeared first on .

We decided to put this theory to the test by analyzing samples gathered at different times during the day.  To do this, we used TestAssured’s 4 Test Kit Set for Schools and Science Fairs. This set includes 4 test kits and can be used by children in grades three through twelve to perform simple science experiments like this one.

Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies:

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• Tap water
• Paper towels

Preparation

Before you start testing, you’ll need to gather your water samples.  We collected four different samples throughout the day, noting the time each was collected. It is recommended that your sample be at least ½ cup in order to have enough liquid to perform the TDS test. Collect your samples in a mug or glass and set aside to complete the TDS test before pouring samples into the vials.

 Testing

The first test you want to start with is for total dissolved solids, using the TDS meter.  The meter will not fit in the test vials, so it is easier to complete this part of the experiment before transferring your samples to the vials.  To perform the TDS test, simply turn on the meter and submerge the prongs in the samples. Rinse the meter with clean water and pat dry between each test. Record your results in the results notebook.

After completing the TDS test, you will need to pour your samples into the vials you labeled.  Fill each vial to within a ¼” of the top.  Be sure to wipe up any spills, so you don’t contaminate the test strips.

Before you get started with the tests, now is a good time to make some visual observations. You may notice that some of the samples are cloudy or contain particles.  These observations can be written in the “Notes” on the last page of the results notebook.

Now you’re ready to get started with the rest of the tests. Follow these instructions to complete the remaining tests.

Alkalinity/pH/Hardness Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “ALK/pH/Hard”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample for one second and remove
4. Hold the test strip level and wait 10 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for alkalinity, pH, and hardness
6. Record your results in the results notebook

 Total Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “CL/CO/NA/NI”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample three times and remove – DO NOT SHAKE OFF EXCESS WATER
4. Hold the test strip level for 2 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for chlorine and copper
6. Wait 45 seconds before reading the results for nitrate and nitrite
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Iron Test (Complete this test last)

1. Remove one iron reagent tablet from the foil packet and place in test vial (the reagent could alter the results of other tests which is why the iron test is completed last)
2. Place the cap on the test vial and shake for approximately one minute, until the tablet is completely dissolved
3. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “Iron Test”
4. Dip the strip in the sample for 2 seconds
5. Shake the strip once and wait 60 seconds
6. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for iron
7. Record your results in the results notebook

 Repeat all three tests for each of your samples.

Results

Now that you have completed each of the four tests on your samples, it’s time to look at your results.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Was there a significant difference in quality among the samples?
• Could you determine if there was a best time of day to drink your tap water?
• What results did you find the most surprising?

Record your answers on the “Notes” page.  If you are using this as a science fair project, you can use clear tape to fix the test sticks to the color charts to display your results.  You may even want to create some graphs or charts from your results.

The post Does the Time of Day Change What Is in Your Water? appeared first on .

We decided to see how effective this was by conducting a simple experiment.  We used  Test Assured’s 4 Test Kit Set for Schools and Science Fairs to test water samples that had been collected after flushing the pipes for varying amounts of time.  This test set includes 4 test kits and can be used by children in grades three through twelve to perform water tests that can be used for school science experiments.

Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies:

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• Tap water
• Paper towels

Preparation

Before you start testing, you’ll need to prepare your water samples.  For this experiment, you will create four samples:

1. ½ cup tap water collected immediately after faucet is turned on – this is the control sample
2. ½ cup tap water collected after faucet has been flushed for 1 minute
3. ½ cup tap water collected after faucet has been flushed for 3 minutes
4. ½ cup tap water collected after faucet has been flushed for 5 minutes

Collect your samples in a mug or glass and set aside to complete the TDS test before pouring samples into the vials.

Feel free allow the water to run for any length of time.  You can even use a second testing kit to test more samples.  No matter how long you let the water run, don’t forget to label your vials and write down the corresponding sample information in the results notebook.

Testing

The first test you want to start with is for total dissolved solids, using the TDS meter.  The meter will not fit in the test vials, so it is easier to complete this part of the experiment before transferring your samples to the vials.  To perform the TDS test, simply turn on the meter and submerge the prongs in the samples. Rinse the meter with clean water and pat dry between each test. Record your results in the results notebook.

After completing the TDS test, you will need to pour your samples into the vials you labeled.  Fill each vial to within a ¼” of the top.  Be sure to wipe up any spills, so you don’t contaminate the test strips.

Before you get started with the tests, now is a good time to make some visual observations. You may notice that some of the samples are cloudy or contain particles.  These observations can be written in the “Notes” on the last page of the results notebook.

Now you’re ready to get started with the rest of the tests. Follow these instructions to complete the remaining tests.

Alkalinity/pH/Hardness Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “ALK/pH/Hard”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample for one second and remove
4. Hold the test strip level and wait 10 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for alkalinity, pH, and hardness
6. Next, record your results in the results notebook

 Total Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “CL/CO/NA/NI”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample three times and remove – DO NOT SHAKE OFF EXCESS WATER
4. Hold the test strip level for 2 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for chlorine and copper
6. Wait 45 seconds before reading the results for nitrate and nitrite
7. Next, record your results in the results notebook

Iron Test (Complete this test last)

1. Remove one iron reagent tablet from the foil packet and place in test vial (the reagent could alter the results of other tests which is why the iron test is completed last)
2. Place the cap on the test vial and shake for approximately one minute, until the tablet is completely dissolved
3. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “Iron Test”
4. Dip the strip in the sample for 2 seconds
5. Shake the strip once and wait 60 seconds
6. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for iron
7. Record your results in the results notebook

 Repeat all three tests for each of your samples.

Results

Now that you have completed each of the four tests on your samples, it’s time to look at your results.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Did flushing the pipes change the appearance of any of the samples?
• Did flushing the pipes affect the test results for any of the samples?
• Was there an optimal time to flush the pipes that improved water quality?
• Based on your results, do you think flushing pipes is an effective way to make water safer to drink?
• What results did you find the most surprising?

Record your answers on the “Notes” page.  If you are using this as a science fair project, you can use clear tape to fix the test sticks to the color charts to display your results.

The post Flushing Pipes – Does it Work? A Simple Science Experiment appeared first on .

Test Assured’s 4 Test Kit Set for Schools and Science Fairs is the perfect kit to complete these tests and compare water sources. This set includes 4 test kits and is appropriate for children in grades three through twelve.

Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies:

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• 4 different outdoor water sources
• Zipper sandwich bags
• Paper towels

Preparation

To prepare for the tests, you’ll need to gather your water samples.  For this experiment, you need to find four outdoor water sources.  We used water from:

1. A rain barrel
2. A freshwater lagoon
3. A puddle
4. The Atlantic Ocean

 We found that one of the easiest ways to handle water samples is to use zipper sandwich bags.  You can easily label the bags, and they are large enough to allow for the TDS test.  For more stability (and less chance of spills) you can put the baggies inside mugs or cups.

Now is a good time to label your vials and write your water sources in the results notebook.

Testing

The first test you want to start with is for total dissolved solids, using the TDS meter.  The meter will not fit in the test vials, so it is easier to complete this part of the experiment while your samples are still in the baggies.  To perform the TDS test, simply turn on the meter and submerge the prongs in the samples. Rinse the meter with clean water between each test. Record your results in the results notebook.

Read the TDS meter carefully.  Because some outdoor water samples can contain sediment, it is not unusual to get a high TDS reading.  Readings above 999 will be indicated with “x10” in the right corner.  The arrow in the picture is pointing to where you will see the “x10” if you have a high reading like ours.  If you have an extremely high number of dissolved solids in your sample, the meter will read “ERR.”  This means there were more solids than the meter could read.  We got an “ERR” message when we tested the TDS level of the ocean water.

After completing the TDS test, you will need to pour your samples into the vials you labeled.  To transfer your samples to the vials, simply snip off a small corner of the baggie to create a spout. Fill each vial to within a ¼” of the top.  Be sure to wipe up any spills, so you don’t contaminate the test strips.

Before you get started with the tests, now is a good time to make some visual observations. Take notes about how clear or cloudy your samples look.  Some of your samples may be cloudier than the others.  Or, you may find that there is dirt and debris in your samples. These observations can be written in the “Notes” on the last page of the results notebook.

Now you’re ready to get started with the rest of the tests. It’s best to work with one sample at a time.  Follow these instructions to complete the remaining tests.

Alkalinity/pH/Hardness Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “ALK/pH/Hard”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample for one second and remove
4. Hold the test strip level and wait 10 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for alkalinity, pH, and hardness
6. Record your results in the results notebook

Total Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “CL/CO/NA/NI”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample three times and remove – DO NOT SHAKE OFF EXCESS WATER
4. Hold the test strip level for 2 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for chlorine and copper
6. Wait 45 seconds before reading the results for nitrate and nitrite
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Iron Test (Complete this test last)

1. Remove one iron reagent tablet from the foil packet and place in test vial (the reagent could alter the results of other tests which is why the iron test is completed last)
2. Place the cap on the test vial and shake for approximately one minute, until the tablet is completely dissolved
3. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “Iron Test”
4. Dip the strip in the sample for 2 seconds
5. Shake the strip once and wait 60 seconds
6. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for iron
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Repeat all three tests for each of your samples.

Results

Now that you have completed each of the four tests on your four samples, it’s time to look at your results.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Which tests showed similar levels across all samples?
• Which tests showed the most variation across all samples?
• What sample would be the safest to drink in an emergency?
• Which sample best meets the EPA recommended levels for drinking water? (These are listed in the Guide & Results Notebook.)
• Were there results that you found surprising?

Record your answers on the “Notes” page.  If you are using this as a science fair project, you can use clear tape to fix the test sticks to the color charts to display your results.

You may even want to create some graphs or charts from your results.

The post Water Experiment: What Is the Best Source of Water Outdoors? appeared first on .

Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies:

• Test Assured 4 Test Kit Set with TD Meter
• 3 different vegetables
• Measuring cup
• Pot
• Paper towels

Preparation

To prepare for the tests, you’ll need to make vegetable water. For this experiment, we used cabbage, an onion, and a beet. We peeled the onion and beet prior to cooking, but an interesting test might be to test water from the same vegetable with the skin and without to see if there is a difference.

NOTE: Although we used beets for this experiment, they are not recommended. The beets stained the water red which made it hard to read the results on the color charts. We suggest using vegetables that will not alter the color of the water.

Once your vegetables are chopped, it’s time to get cooking (children should be supervised when using the stove for this portion of the experiment). To make sure the conditions were the same for each experiment, we used 1 cup of water and ¼ cup of vegetables to make each sample following these instructions:

1. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil
2. Carefully add ¼ cup of one of your chopped vegetables
3. Boil on high for 5 minutes
4. Allow sample to cool for 10 minutes
5. Scoop out the vegetables and pour sample into a mug or bowl

Repeat this procedure for all three of the vegetables you will be testing. Be sure to clean and dry the pot in between making your samples to avoid contamination. You may want to use tape to attach a label to each mug or bowl to identify your samples so they do not get mixed up. Don’t forget to label your vials too.

You will also need to prepare a control sample of plain water. To do this, simply follow the same instructions listed above except skip step #2.

Once you are finished, you should have four samples.

Testing

The first test you want to start with is for total dissolved solids, using the TDS meter. The meter will not fit in the test vials, so it is easier to complete this part of the experiment while your samples are still in larger containers. To perform the TDS test, simply turn on the meter and submerge the prongs in the samples. Rinse the meter in clean water between each test. Record your results in the results notebook.

After completing the TDS test, you will need to pour your samples into the vials you labeled. Fill each vial to within a ¼” of the top. Be sure to wipe up any spills so you don’t contaminate the test strips.

Before you get started with the tests, now is a good time to make some visual observations. These can be written in the “Notes” on the last page of the results notebook.

Now you’re ready to get started with the rest of the tests. It’s best to work with one sample at a time. Follow these instructions to complete the remaining tests.

Alkalinity/pH/Hardness Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “ALK/pH/Hard”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample for one second and remove
4. Hold the test strip level and wait 10 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for alkalinity, pH, and hardness
6. Record your results in the results notebook

Total Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite Test

1. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “CL/CO/NA/NI”
2. Pick up the strip on the end with no pads
3. Dip the strip in the sample three times and remove – DO NOT SHAKE OFF EXCESS WATER
4. Hold the test strip level for 2 seconds
5. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for chlorine and copper
6. Wait 45 seconds before reading the results for nitrate and nitrite
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Iron Test (Complete this test last)

1. Remove one iron reagent tablet from the foil packet and place in test vial (the reagent could alter the results of other tests which is why the iron test is completed last)
2. Place the cap on the test vial and shake for approximately one minute, until the tablet is completely dissolved
3. Remove the test strip from the packet labeled, “Iron Test”
4. Dip the strip in the sample for 2 seconds
5. Shake the strip once and wait 60 seconds
6. Place the strip as shown in the picture and compare to the color chart for iron
7. Record your results in the results notebook

Repeat all three tests for each of your samples.

Results

Now that you have completed each of the four tests on your four samples, it’s time to look at your results. Ask yourself these questions:

• Which vegetable had the most changes when compared to the control sample (plain water)?
• Did any of the vegetables have similar results?
• Which vegetable left behind the most dissolved solids?
• What results did you find the most surprising?

Record your answers on the “Notes” page. If you are using this as a science fair project, you can use clear tape to fix the test sticks to the color charts to display your results.

The post What’s in Your Vegetable Water? appeared first on .