Little Bang Discovery on Demand

 4 May 2020

 Little Bang Discovery on Demand

Conduct experiments at home with your young scientist through Little Bang Discovery On Demand.

Over four fun-filled sessions, this hands-on program will allow children and their accompanying parents to combine everyday objects and experiences with genuine scientific enquiry methods.

Before starting, we recommend putting together your own Discovery Box, containing the listed or similar items, which you will use during each session to maximise enjoyment. There will also be a list of additional items specific to each session. Equipment lists and instructional videos are available below.

Assemble your Discovery Box

Equipment List

  • 1x Large box or bag to put everything in
  • 1x Ruler and/or 1x tape measure
  • 1x Timer or mobile phone with a timer, or a clock with a second hand
  • 2x Plastic cups
  • 2x Big rubber bands
  • Approx. 4m of string
  • 1x Chopstick or big spoon
  • 1x Notebook or paper
  • 1x Pencil
  • 1x Magnet or fridge magnet
  • 1x Coat hanger, metal or child size
  • 1x Take away box of lunch box sized container.

 

Session 1: Collecting and Classifying

 

Equipment List

  • Approx. 6 pairs of socks, hats and t-shirts
  • Approx. 10 small toys e.g. Matchbox cars, small animals, Duplo Lego bricks.

 

 

Session 2: Measuring and Recording

 

Equipment List

  • Your Discovery Box
  • Small items from around the house such as cutlery, toys, coins and pieces of fruit

To make a mobile:

  • 7 pieces of string approx. 30cm long
  • Coat hanger, chopsticks, pencils, pop sticks and 7 small toys or chenille stems

 

 

Session 3: Experimenting

Equipment List

  • Your Discovery Box
  • Two or more small wheeled toys, eg. cars

 

To make an inclined slope, 1x of the below options or similar:

  • Tray
  • Lid
  • Large box
  • Cardboard
  • Small whiteboard with one end resting on a box

Joys of attraction
  • Magnet or fridge magnet from Discovery Box

Musical coat hanger
  • 1x Metal coat hanger
  • 2x Pieces of of string, approx 45cm long
  • Pencil, pen or teaspoon

Sink and salt
  • 2x strips of Blu tack or plasticine
  • 3x Cups with tap water
  • Spoon
  • (Newspaper, towel)

Sink and float
  • 1x Hard-boiled egg or a grape
  • 1x Plastic bowl
  • 1x Spoon
  • 2x Cups with tap water (can use those in the Discovery Box)
  • 1/4 Cup of salt
  • (Newspaper, towel)

 

 

Session 4: Science fair

Equipment List

  • Your Discovery Box

Magnifying with a glass of water
  • 1x Glass (made of glass) half-filled with water
  • Newspaper or Magazine picture

Kissing balloons
  • 2x Inflated balloons
  • 2x Pieces of string of 30cm in length

Raw or boiled?
  • 1x Boiled
  • 1x Raw egg (with the children not knowing which is which)
  • 1x Bowl
  • 1x Cup with tap water
  • 1x Spoon
  • (Newspaper, towel)

 

 

About Children's Discovery

Children’s Discovery is an educational charity, established in 2001, whose mission is to create opportunities for children and their families to share engaging life-long learning experiences.

We partner with libraries, museums, galleries and universities who share our commitment to building community capacity and improving outcomes for children.

Our work is supported by research showing that programs such as these provide pathways for children to realise their potential.

For any assistance or ideas, please visit the Children's Discovery website.