Science Experiments in a Bag

     I am a bona-fide science geek!  Yes, I admit it, the thought of three books full of fun science experiments made me absolutely giddy.  I not only homeschool my 3 kids who have not yet graduated, but also teach science classes 2 1/2 days a week at different co-ops.  In my experience, the experiments included with our curriculum are not always conducive to a co-op type setting - either they are too long to do in the allotted time, they don’t work like they are supposed to, or the materials needed are too expensive.  Activity Bags have solved my experiment dilemma.  Activity Bags are just what they sound like, activities for different subject areas that you prepare in advance in gallon size ziplock bags, instructions and all. 

     I have been using Science Experiments in a Bag 1, 2, and 3 for the past several weeks.  My kids think I am a nut when I am going through and assembling bags because I get so excited!  I have been using activities from all 3 e-books.  Book 1 contains activities geared towards kids in grades k-8 covering topics in Biology, Nature, and General Science.  Book 2 contains activities geared towards kids in grades k-8 covering topics in Chemistry, The Human Body, and General Science.  Book 3 contains activities geared towards kids in grades k-8 covering Chemistry.  With 25 experiments in each of the Science Experiments in a Bag e-books, there are plenty of activities to keep even the most enthusiastic budding scientists in your home occupied! 

     When I received my e-books, I downloaded them to my computer and printed out all 3 books.  I am a binder queen, so- of course – each book has its own binder.  I read through all of the experiments and selected experiments that would coordinate with the curriculum we are using this year.  I teach General Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Biology 2, so I have a lot of options for which experiments I need.  Even though the experiments are geared towards kids in grades k-8, I have been able to adapt some of them for use with older students, which has been really nice.

      For example, experiment 6 in book 3 is called ‘Green Copper.’ It is a great example of red-ox reactions in chemistry.  My chemistry students meet 2 days per week and were able to set this experiment up easily.  I extended the experiment by having them test several different metals instead of just pennies.  In this way, they were able to see how different types of metals react or don’t react. I have 21 Chemistry students, so, in advance, I prepared a Science Experiment in a Bag for each student.  This was so simple to do.  I just looked at the assembly instructions for the experiment, multiplied the materials needed by 21, and followed the instructions for assembly.  It is suggested to color code bags, and yellow is the suggested color for Chemistry, so I printed the experiment logs for each bag on yellow cardstock.  The cardstock was a tiny bit too big for the ziplock bags, so I just trimmed it down about 1/4 inch.  I placed the experiment log in each bag, then added the materials needed for the experiment to each bag (pennies, paper towels, other chunks of metals).  Vinegar is required for this experiment, so I made sure to have it on hand.  Students also need a glass bowl for the experiment.  With so many students doing this experiment at once, that was not feasible, so we substituted disposable bowls.  I had those on hand and did not put them in the bags because they were too large. I taped the labels for the bags onto the front of each bag.  4 labels on one page are included at the end of each experiment, so I just made 6 copies of that page and cut the labels apart.  When it came time to do the experiment, all I had to do was distribute the bags to the students and set out the other supplies needed. I was using this with older students, so I was able to allow them to follow directions, with my modifications, and I then could float around the room and monitor their progress.

     Using the Science Experiments in a Bag has been a dream for me.  I love to have things organized and ready for students.  They love being able to work fairly independently. I have assembled bags for experiments that kids can use during our lab times, and, I have assembled bags that they can take home and do for extra credit.  They love extra credit!!! There are several other science teachers (grades k-6) at the co-op where I teach.  We are going to do a bag swap this summer so we can all have all 75 experiments assembled and ready to go for the next school year.  I am continuing to use the experiments for my own classes this year.  I am so excited to get to the Human Body experiments.  That is always an area in which I have a hard time finding appropriate activities for my seventh graders. Now I have 9 activities / experiments that are about the Human Body.

     Science Experiments in a Bag retail in e-book form for $15.  There is a bundle of books 1 and 2 available for $27.  Also, if you are one who likes to ‘try before you buy,’ there is a Activity Bag e-book sampler available through the Activity Bag website just for filling out a simple survey. 

     Many of my friends have been using Science Experiments in a Bag as well as other available Activity Bag products.  To read their reviews, visit the main crew blog page.

**Disclaimer:  As a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I received the Science Experiments in a Bag 1,2,and 3 at no cost to me for purpose of review.  No compensation was received.  The opinions expressed are my own.**