Inspire scientific discovery in your classroom with our National Science Week: Experiments pack! This collection of four hands-on investigations supports students in exploring real-world science concepts through active inquiry, testing, and reflection. Covering chemistry, physics, and Earth sciences, these experiments are ideal for upper primary learners and perfectly aligned with the themes of curiosity and scientific thinking.

Each experiment includes a clear procedure, equipment list, discussion prompts, and a focus on scientific skills such as predicting, observing, recording, and questioning. From colourful chemical reactions to visual models of the water cycle, students will be immersed in learning that is engaging, meaningful, and memorable.

Perfect for National Science Week or as a year-round addition to your science curriculum, this set encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and real-world connections. Students can revisit their predictions, compare outcomes, and reflect on what each experiment reveals about the world around them.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Investigate and explain changes in matter through observation and testing
• ✅ Describe and model natural systems such as the water cycle
• ✅ Explore forces and motion through practical experimentation
• ✅ Strengthen skills in predicting, recording, and communicating findings
• ✅ Make links between scientific investigations and real-world applications

What’s Included:

• Grow Your Own Crystals: Explore how salt crystals form through evaporation and saturation over time
• Colour Changing Potions: Investigate acids and bases using a red cabbage pH indicator to observe chemical changes
• Balloon Rockets: Demonstrate the principles of force, motion, and air pressure with a balloon-powered rocket model
• Make It Rain: Simulate evaporation and condensation in a closed system to understand the water cycle

Materials Needed:

• Common household items such as salt, balloons, red cabbage, vinegar, baking soda, plastic cups, and string
• Measuring tools like spoons and cups
• Optional: food colouring, magnifying glasses, cling wrap
• Printed student worksheets or science journals

How to Use:

1. Introduce each experiment with a prediction and whole-class discussion.
2. Have students work in pairs or small groups to follow the procedures and complete hands-on tasks.
3. Encourage regular check-ins to record observations (especially for longer experiments like crystal growth).
4. Use the discussion questions to support reflection and scientific reasoning.
5. Wrap up with a science journal entry or class share session about discoveries and surprises.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as a science investigation station rotation during National Science Week
• 💡 Pair each experiment with a related video or text for cross-curricular learning
• 💡 Display student work and experiment photos in a classroom science gallery
• 💡 Link experiments to real-world careers like chemistry, meteorology, or aerospace engineering
• 💡 Let students design their own variations and present results to the class

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Assign team roles like recorder, materials manager, and observer to encourage collaboration
• 💛 Prepare example setups for visual learners before beginning each task
• 💛 Use student-friendly vocabulary walls or anchor charts to support key terms
• 💛 Revisit experiments across multiple days to track long-term changes (e.g. crystal growth)

Our National Science Week: Experiments pack empowers students to learn through doing, think like scientists, and see science in action. With structured support and exciting content, it’s the perfect toolkit for building curiosity and confidence in every young learner.

Be sure to check out our other National Science Week resources!