These preschool science projects permit kids to explore the properties of different kinds of dirt and mud.
Kids will make observations using their senses and some science tools, like a magnifying glass and some tweezers. Kids will also explore the concept of change as they turn dirt into mud—-and vice versa.
Ideally,
these preschool science projects should be tackled in the order given
below. Afterwards, your child might want to try this experiment in brick-making.
But remember—-kids need lots of time to explore and discover on their
own before they are ready to enjoy a structured experiment. So let kids
play...and get dirty!
Project 1. Prospecting for dirt samples
Begin these preschool science projects by getting kids to consider where dirt comes from. If you have access to an outdoor source of dirt, take your kids on a dirt-collecting mission.
Materials
What to do
Try to find more than one kind of dirt. Different types to look for include:
Collect and label your samples using the recycled containers.
Questions to consider
As kids dig, encourage them to discuss what they observe.
Release any living creatures you find in your dirt samples and put each type of dirt in its own container and label where you found it. Keep these samples for other preschool science projects (see below).
Project 2. Exploring dirt
This activity is a follow-up to the dirt prospecting project described above.
Materials
Preparation
You will need several different dirt samples. If you weren’t able to find a variety of dirt samples during your dirt prospecting mission, you may want to supplement with samples you find yourself (or purchase at a garden or landscaping store). Minimally, try to get samples of sand, topsoil, and a mixture of soil and fine gravel. If you live near a river or wetland, you might also find a source of silt and/or natural clay.
Prepare an examination tray. Glue or tape a piece of black paper to the lower half of a white sheet of paper. The result should be a single piece of paper that is half white and half black. Place the paper (face up—so both black and white is showing) on the bottom of the tray.
What to do
Give kids digging tools, multiple buckets, and trays for examining the dirt.
To use the examination tray, show kids how to place a small sample of dirt in the bottom of the tray. Spread it out along both sides of the tray. The dark paper background will help you spot light-colored items in the dirt. The white paper will help dark items stand out.
Kids can examine the dirt with their magnifying glasses. They can also use the tweezers to pick up small items.
Kids can also try sifting dirt through the sieves.
Have kids feel each sample with their hands and explain the concept of texture.
Questions to consider
After kids can had a chance to explore dry dirt, they are ready for preschool science projects about mud (see below).
Project 3. From dirt to mud and back again
Continue these preschool science projects by exploring the properties of mud. Use the same variety of dirt mixtures you collected for the previous activities.
Materials
What to do
Start by having kids add water to each kind of dirt. Kids can also create their own mud-mixtures by combining different kinds of dirt.
Show kids how to make mud pies and leave them out to dry. After the mud is dry (which may take a day or two), return and let kids investigate the properties of dried mud.
Let them explore freely with all the materials used in the previous session. If they don't do so on their own, ask kids to try getting the mud pies wet.
Questions to consider
When your child has completed these preschool science projects, she will be ready for this brick-making experiment.
In addition, your child might like these other preschool science projects.
Copyright © 2006-2021 by Gwen Dewar, Ph.D.; all rights reserved.
For educational purposes only. If you suspect you have a medical problem, please see a physician.