Ecology Experiments for Kids

For kids learning about ecology, science experiments are a great way to understand how different organisms relate to each other and their environment. Through these experiments kids learn why things work the way they do, the impact that a single change can make in an entire ecosystem, and how things are connected to one another.

Science Experiment #1: How to clean up an oil spill

We all know that oil spills can damage our environment. Understanding how much damage an oil spill can do is best illustrated by replicating an oil spill in a controlled setting. The purpose of this experiment is to recreate an oil spill, and experiment with different methods to determine the most efficient method of cleaning up after a spill.

Materials needed to make the oil spill:
a large cookie tray
water
automotive oil (dirty is best)
small rocks and sand
bits of wood, tufts of grass, and feathers
a fan

Step 1: Line the edge of the tray with rocks and sand to create a shoreline. Tuck in bits of wood and the grass in the shoreline to represent some of the plant life that live on the coast.

Step 2: Gently add water to the tray until 2/3 full. Drop a small handful of feathers into the water.

Step 3: Gently pour a small amount of automotive oil carefully into the tray.

Step 4: Place the fan along one end of the tray, and switch to the “on” position. Leave the fan on, until the oil spill drifts to one of the shorelines, then shut off.

Step 5: Experiment with different ways of trying to clean up the oil on both the water, the shoreline, and on the organisms themselves. Things to experiment with should include sand, kitty litter, string, Dawn dish washing detergent, laundry degreasers, newspapers, basters, and rags.

Step 6: Record your findings and observations.

Why this is an ideal science experiment for kids is that it clearly illustrates the impact of an oil spill in a way they can clearly see, touch, and smell for themselves. The lessons learned in this experiment are 1) the devastating effect of this type of pollution on marine and shoreline ecosystems, 2) how even a little bit of pollution can impact a wide area, and 3) the most effective method of cleaning up an oil spill.

Science Experiment #2: How waste can be reduced through composting

The purpose of this experiment is to illustrate the process of decomposition and how things that are regarded as waste can be turned into nutrient rich organic material.

For this experiment, you will need a soda pop composter using these directions, a mixture of shredded “green” materials (such as leaves, grass, fruit and vegetable scraps) and “brown” materials (saw dust, crumpled dry leaves, newspaper torn into bits), some healthy soil, and a scale.

1. List and weigh the waste items (including the soil) being placed in the compost pile.

2. Beginning with a scoop of soil in the base of the compost tower, pack “greens” and “browns” in alternating layers. Top with a little more dirt, then sprinkle with a little water.

3. After a week, stir the compost. Continue to stir weekly for a month until the material has completed broken down.

4. Weigh the finished compost.

Variations on this experiment:

a. In a second compost tower, include some scraps of plastic, paper clips, and a button. Have your students project if these items will break down.

b. Sprout some bean seeds, and place one in a pot filled with sand, and a second in a pot that is a 1:3 mixture of sand to compost. Keep both pots watered, and record their growth patterns for the next month. Have your students project which plant will be healthier.

Why this is an ideal science experiment for kids is that they can see first hand how plant material breaks down and can be turned into something beneficial for the environment. Lessons learned in this experiment include 1) how nothing is ever wasted in nature, 2) how microorganisms work, 3) how to compost properly, 4) how to reduce waste through composting, and 5) how certain types of waste will never break down.

Science Experiment #3: The Effect of Acid Rain

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the impact of acid rain on our forest ecosystems.

Materials needed include two potted rosemary plants in 4″ pots (if not available, another plant may be substituted), and a container of either vinegar of lemon juice.

1. Place the plants in a sunny window.

2. Water one plant with the vinegar and the second plant with regular tap water.

3. Over the next 2 to 4 weeks, record your observations.

4. At the end of the experiment, remove the plants from their pots and examine their root system.

5. Record your observations.

Variations on this experiment:

Place some pebbles and pennies on top of the soil around both plants. Record changes that happen to these man-made objects.

This is such a simple science experiment, but is very effective in showing kids the damage that is caused by acid rain. Lessons learned in this experiment include 1) impact of acid on plant growth, 2) effect of acid rain on buildings and sidewalks, and 3) an awareness of the long term effects of acid rain.

Science Experiment #4: How pollution finds its way into our food

The purpose of this experiment is to illustrate how pollution that seeps into our ground water can contaminate food sources.

Materials needed:
a beaker of water
red food coloring
a stalk of celery

Step 1: Add several drops of red food coloring to the water.

Step 2: Place a celery stalk in the beaker.

Step 3: Note the changes in the celery stalk over during the school and record your observations.

Step 4: At the end of the day, remove the stalk from the water and cut an inch off the bottom of the stalk. Look at the cross section of the stalk and record what you see.

This science experiment is effective in showing kids how pesticides that have leeched into the ground water eventually find their way into our food. Lessons learned in this experiment are 1) how plants absorb contaminants in the water and 2) how the contaminants found in polluted water can be passed to humans and other animals.

Science Experiment #5: Slowing down erosion

The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate how soil erosion occurs, and methods for controlling soil run-off.

Materials Needed:

One 2L plastic pop bottle
2 square collection pans (square glass baking dishes will also work)
a watering can
scissors
a bucket of soil from your garden
2 foot section of 4 x 4 post (or two 2x4s stacked together)
4 x 10 inch section of sod
A collection of tiny plastic cowboys or army men (available at dollar stores)

Step 1: Remove the “neck” from the pop bottle. Slice the pop bottle in half, lengthwise.

Step 2: Fill both containers with dirt, with one container a few inches shallower than the other.

Step 3: Place the sod in the lower of the two containers.

Step 4: Raise the bases of both bottle halves and place on the 4×4 piece of wood so that the bottles point down at an angle.

Step 5: Arrange some army men in the collection pans and place the pan directly beneath the spouts.

Step 6: Measure 3 cups of water into the watering can, and gently pour over the container filled with soil only. Observe what happens to the army men, then measure the water that drains off the other end.

Step 7: Repeat step 5; this time pouring the water over the sod. Again, take note of what has happened to the army men, then measure the water that has drained off the other end.

Step 8: Record your findings.

Variations to this experiment:

a) After completing this experiment, remove the saturated soil and replace with fresh soil, filling the container up to the level of the notch. Have the students create contour lines with their fingers in one of the containers, and repeat the experiment to determine if contouring can reduce soil erosion.

b) In addition to contouring, the students can experiment with different methods of erosion control using rocks, toothpicks, bit of straw, sand, and small pieces of wood.

When soil erosion happens, not only does it remove valuable nutrients from the soil, it can cause flooding in the areas below. This experiment is a great way for kids to visualize the impact of erosion in a way they can understand. Lessons learned are 1) effects of erosion, the 2) role of soil in the ecosystem and 3) the various methods that can be used to stop soil erosion.