The science project is a rite of passage for every child that helps shape how we act and see the world. Here are three green science projects that will help teach our children the importance of the environment and how we can positively affect it.
Green Science Project # 1 – How to Identify Biodegradable Materials
Originally this project was designed to be used in a classroom setting for an elementary school, but it is the perfect green science project for any student looking to learn more about what materials have a harsher affect on our environment.
To start this project, you will need a journal, six empty 2 liter bottle (cut in half), soil, water, small piece of vegetables, wood, metal, plastic, and Styrofoam. The next step in this science project is to fill each bottle with soil, while making sure to bury one of the items in the soil. You will sprinkle a little bit of water on top before you label the bottle. After the process is repeated for each item, you will need to start documenting in the journal any initial observations and what the projected outcome is.
You will need to follow up your observations on a weekly basis to see which items are degrading in the soil and which ones are standing up to the test of time. For best results, this project should be observed over 1 to 2 months.
Green Science Project # 2 – What is the effect of water pollution on wildlife and human habitats
This green science project will help children have a better understanding of pollutions in the environment while taking a direct approach. To complete this project, you will need a journal, camera, rubber gloves, and trash bags.
The first stage in this project is to visit a wetland area, like a stream, lake, or swamp, where the student can make observation notes in their journal. They should view the environment for signs of animal life along with any signs of pollution. After discussing the observations of pollution with their adult companion, the pair can spend some time cleaning up a specific area of the wetland. Take a series of pictures to help document the environment.
As with the previous green science project, for best results, the observations should occur on a weekly basis to see how the untreated area compares with the one they are cleaning on a weekly basis. To have a better understanding of the affect of pollution, this project should take 1 to 2 months to complete.
Green Science Project # 3 – How nature affects in an ecosystem
This project designed for elementary school children to help them understand how changes in nature can affect the air and water. For this project, you will need 2 gallon glass jar, pH tester, water, live plants, soil, stones, and small aquatic animals, like a fish and snails an their food..
The first step in this project is to complete the setup of the basic aquarium without any placing any of the animals into it. At this point, the student should complete a test on the pH balance of the water in the environment. Wait for a week before anything else is done to the ecosystem. Before any of the aquatic animals are added to the ecosystem, have the student notate the pH levels of the water.
For the remainder of the project, the students will care for the aquatic animals by feeding them as required while taking pH readings every couple of days to see how the animals can affect the bottled ecosystem naturally.For this green science project to be successful, it will take 2 months to view the various stages of the introduction of life into a sterile environment.
All of the above green science projects were gathered from http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/index.php.
Visit the Resource Links for Information on the Following Green Science Projects
Biodegradable Materials
http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Environmental_Education/ENV0077.html
Water Pollution
http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Environmental_Education/ENV0065.html
Making an aquatic ecosystem
http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/core/plans/int/bottle.html
